Bag the leather

Leather has always been in vogue and has inspired many designers. However, it also needs special care.

For the love of leather, Ayesha Malhotra went to Italy for two years. She says that the craftsmanship you find there is different. “Art is not appreciated enough in India, hence, even a passionate artisan just works on artwork only to finish it off.”

“I know it’s Italy where all the work on leather started. The important thing I learnt was to take pride in my work,” says Ayesha. “Pride will inevitably make you work harder, I realised,” she says.

She was an engineer till 2014. But she felt the urge to design leather into different artefacts “quite naturally". “I feel my degree in engineering was not a waste as, I think, I understand the ‘functionality’ part better than most people. Leather is an expensive product and it should be useful at least for a lifetime.”

For Ayesha, functionality holds a more important place. From across India she has integrated artisans and craftsman working in different factories with her idea. “These craftsmen also believe that an item which is created should be functional first than anything else,” she says.

With a wide array of leather items and styles, that take you from the boardroom to the beach, from a night out to a weekend gateway, she has infused her experience of working with indigenous craftsmanship from Italy with her design sensibilities. She has also introduced her label Java Plum in India.

A rather important question often raised is how can leather live forever?
 “Details are important and careful attention should be paid to every aspect of the product,” says Malhotra. She works on hand-crafted leather products. “Designs matter a lot as bags should fit all your essential items and ensure they are secure – even bags that do not have zip closures– prevent you from losing your belongings or having them snatched,” she adds. “Avoid using harsh cleansers and remember to use vinegar or olive oil to clean your leather products,” advises Ayesha.

“Generally, a paste of one part tartar and one part lemon juice works well to wipe dark stains off your leather possessions,” says Riddhima Sayal, who runs a leather handbag brand Risa with Saloni Sayal. “You can keep the paste for 10 to 15 minutes,” she says.
When the leather is wet, let the leather product dry out completely in a warm room. Clean with a damp clo­th. Then allow the leather to dry again, says Riddhima.

According to Saloni, vinegar and olive oil are the most effective home remedies for keeping leather products sturdy. “Design goes in synchrony with durability. When you cherish something you don’t want to lose it,” says Saloni.

So, when owning Ayesha’s summery taupe leather with a silken finish and deep fuchsia lining in pink with the signature fuchsia, red and black detachable canvas strap, one also needs to know the ways to treasure it.