Vegetable-tanned - bio-leather bags
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Vegetable tanned leather - the natural heart behind Utua bags
At Utua, we believe in authentic materials.
and timeless aesthetics. Each vegetable-tanned bag tells a story of naturalness, craftsmanship and sustainable beauty. That's why we choose only the best for our materials - vegetable-tanned leather, which is made using traditional methods using nature's own raw materials. It's a responsible choice, but also a question of emotion and quality: a material that only gets better with time.
What is vegetable tanned leather?
Vegetable tanning is thousands of years old
a method of converting leather into a durable and usable material. It uses natural tannins, usually obtained from the bark, leaves, and seeds of oak, chestnut, mimosa, and other plants.
The vegetable tanning process is slow and manual: raw hides are soaked in tannin-rich solutions for several weeks, during which time the substances contained in the plants bind to the leather's fiber structure, making it durable but also breathable. After the tanning process, each hide is given its own shade and surface by hand dyeing - that's why no vegetable tanned leather is completely
similar.
This natural method differs from the industrial one
from chrome tanning, which in turn gives the leather its own advantages. Vegetable tanning is a chemical-free and environmentally friendly process, which results in a material with a lively surface, long life and character. We want to offer alternatives and therefore we have both in our selection.
leather tanned in different ways.
Why choose a vegetable tanned bag?
Vegetable tanned leather is more than just
The surface material – it’s a whole experience. When you choose a vegetable tanned bag, you’re choosing a material that breathes, develops and patinas beautifully with use. At first, the leather may feel a bit stiff, but it
softens quickly and molds to its user.
In vegetable tanned leather, the initial
There are traces of life, lines and grooves. They also develop over time as the bag is used. Vegetable tanned leather is expressive.
This phenomenon is called patination –
and that is the most beautiful feature of vegetable tanned leather.
Because vegetable tanned leather is made
with natural substances, it is also safe for both the user and the environment. It does not contain chromium or other heavy metals, and its production does not cause harmful emissions. Vegetable tanning is therefore an ecological choice, but at the same time also an aesthetic and high-quality solution.
Utua's love for vegetable-tanned leather
Utua has always valued leather as a material for its authenticity, durability and versatility. For us, vegetable tanned leather is more than an ecological choice – it is part of the value choice we have wanted to offer our customers.
The vegetable-tanned leather we use comes from the Tuscany region of Italy. It comes from a factory that adheres to strict environmental standards.
Utua's vegetable-tanned bags are made
handmade, and therefore each bag is unique. The leather is dyed by hand, and the dye is rubbed into the leather so that its grains and nuances remain visible. The end result is a bag that exudes natural dignity and whose tone lives in the light and use.
The Utua collection includes several vegetable-tanned bags for different purposes – classic shoulder bags,
from versatile work bags, compact totes and spacious shoppers, each designed to last, both in style and construction.
Characteristics and care of vegetable tanned leather
Because vegetable tanned leather is natural
material, it is worth taking care of it. If cared for properly, the bag will last
its beauty for decades.
- At first use, the leather may feel stiff, but it softens and bends quickly with regular use.
- Small scratches can be rubbed lightly with your fingertips – skin oil acts as a natural polish.
- Avoid excessive moisture: if your bag gets wet, let it dry at room temperature, not on a radiator or in direct sunlight. After drying, it is a good idea to moisturize the leather with a quality conditioner.
- Avoid leaving your bag in direct sunlight for long periods of time: for example, the heat inside a car can get really high and the light coming through the window can fade the color of the leather.
Characteristics and care of vegetable tanned leather
- Store the bag
in a breathable protective bag. You can put crumpled paper inside to keep the shape. -
Use a conditioner that helps maintain adequate moisture in the leather; vegetable tanned leather requires more moisture than martened leather.
NOTE! ALWAYS TEST YOUR SUBSTANCE IN AN INVISIBLE PLACE FIRST. - You can use a protective spray to provide moisture protection to the leather.
- Maintain regular care routines; for example, twice a year or as needed.
- Also remember to use the bag properly and avoid overpacking, for example, to prevent the leather from stretching and the metal parts from being damaged.
In Utua's view, a good bag is
a living object – it is allowed to change and tell a story along with its user. A small patina is not a flaw, but a sign of genuine material!
Visby - a classic from the start!
A classic from the moment it was born. Made from hand-dyed and vegetable-tanned bio-leather, the Visby is a popular shoulder bag. Its timeless saddlebag shape and everyday-use size make it one of our most popular bio-leather bags.
The natural difference: vegetable tanned vs. grain leather
Chrome-tanned marten leather is an industrial
The most common type of leather, as it is quicker to make and cheaper to produce. Chrome tanning uses chemicals that shorten the tanning process.
Over time, properties can be introduced into the leather that it does not have in its natural state, such as better moisture resistance.
Vegetable tanning, on the other hand, requires time and patience – the whole process can take up to eight weeks. It is this slowness that makes it so special. Vegetable tanned leather breathes, reacts to light and moisture naturally, and ages gracefully. These are also qualities that are good to consider when choosing a bag. Marinated leather often stays almost the same
looks the same year after year and is also more resistant to moisture and sunlight, while vegetable tanned leather changes, lives and reacts. It does not hide
traces of life – it celebrates them.
That's why Utua thinks vegetable tanned
The bag is the perfect choice for someone who appreciates natural materials and wants to own something real, not artificial.
A responsible choice that lasts for generations
Vegetable tanned leather is also an ethical and ecological choice. Raw hides are a by-product of the food industry and no animals are raised for the bag. Tanning takes place in the EU under strict environmental regulations, and the vegetable tannins used are biodegradable.
When leather is made to last and the product
Designed for longevity, there is less waste and less need to consume. That is the core of Utua's sustainability philosophy: less, but better.
Utua's vegetable-tanned bags are an investment in both aesthetic pleasure and ecological thinking. When you buy one well-made bag that will last year after year, you save nature and reduce overconsumption.
Utua vegetable-tanned bags – traces of life at its most beautiful
Vegetable tanned leather does not strive for perfection, but is at its most beautiful when it is imperfect. The subtle differences in tone, vibrant surface and natural scent make it a material that tells a story of time and people.
At Utua, this philosophy is evident in everything
in our making. A bag is not just a functional item – it is a companion in everyday life, at parties and when traveling. Each vegetable-tanned bag is made to last for years and patina beautifully in the hands of its user.
If you're looking for a bag made from genuine vegetable-tanned leather that feels good, looks great and ages gracefully, you'll find it here. We believe that responsible design is at its most beautiful when it's made to last.
Utua believes that true quality is found in nature – and that's why every vegetable-tanned bag is made from genuine, living vegetable-tanned leather that will last for time, use and life.
