Leather Products Guide: Jackets, Bags, Aprons & Accessories

In 1960, the leather design came into its own, enjoying tremendous worldwide popularity. While Bonnie Cashin continued to be at the vanguard of leather design in the United States with her combination ensembles of leather with a fabric and knit, European designers, such as Nina Ricci, Manuel Pertegaz, Rudi Gernreich, and Yves Saint Laurent took leather to the level of couture. Meanwhile, an abundance of leather clothing flooded the market, due in part to the hippie movement. Small boutiques, featuring handmade leather clothing and accessories that were fringed, beaded, braided, hand-laced and painted, prospered. In 1964, Nina Ricci designed this...

Today, the leather industry comprises around $50 billion of the approx. more than $350 billion global fashion industry. Leather apparel is manufactured all over the world with the best leather garments made in Italy and the most leather garments made in China. Leather apparel is manufactured for all levels of the market, from the designer to the budget category. Many of the top design houses, including Ralph Lauren, Calvin Kline, Versace, Donna Karen, Gucci, Chanel, etc routinely include leather in their collections. And, although the leather cycle is said to peak every three years, leather clothing can be found in...