Tribal Leathers & Plant Fibre
As an organic material, tribal leathers benefit from ongoing care. We include a complimentary pot of wax oil with your leather accessory to keep it supple. We recommend a small dab applied directly to the leather while it is being worn. Only apply the wax oil when the leather is completely dry.
Follow our Golden Rule for best results: always use less and rub it in more. If you do do it more frequently, then just use even less and thoroughly rub it in. Allow a few hours for it to fully dry, before re-exposing it to water or other elements.
See below for the symbolic meaning, sourcing and specific care instructions for plant fibre and each tribal leather.
Organic Plant Fibre
Made from vegan, natural, plant-based materials.
Origin of our Organic Plant Fibre
Our plant fibre is a natural and organic substance that is sustainably sourced from Africa.
Harvested and prepared by hand, the plant fibre is so organic it actually needs to be watered every now and again as it will stiffen when not being used.
When worn for the first time, this material may feel stiff and inflexible, but plant fibre will relax and mould to fit when placed in contact with warm water — either fully submerged or in the shower.
Natural Vegan Plant Fibre
Connection and Grounding
Our plant fibre accessories represent our 'affinity' with the natural world wrapped with your choice of recycled precious metal wire and rings.
Plant fibre symbolises grounding and a connection to the natural world as well as the organic resilience that come from a balance of strength and flexibility. Each recycled precious metal carries additional symbolic meaning and enhance our connection to the earth and its natural elements.
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English Bridle Leather
Designed to endure the elements, our most structured sustainable leather.
Origin of our
English Bridle Leather
English Bridle is a vegetable or oak bark tanned cow/steer hide infused with waxes, oils and tallows — a special process created over 200 years ago in England to ensure leather goods could weather harsh environments. A symbol of timeless endurance that is grounding and nurturing.
Our hides are sustainably and ethically sourced from a family-owned business in the United Kingdom.
Tanned Leather
Structured and Sophisticated
Our English Bridle accessories have a highly structured yet luxurious feel. A timeless look that gets better with age.
Cows/Steers symbolise fertility and abundance, and the grounding and serenity that comes from community. In many cultures, even as far back as the Egyptians, they symbolise spiritual strength and renewal born of a connection to the divine.
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Caring for your English Bridle Leather
Specifically designed to improve with time and use, our hand-cut English Bridle leather really benefits from constant exposure to the elements, whether in the shower or outdoors. An elegant but durable leather that reduces disposability and waste, as is the aim of all Atlas leathers.
If your English Bridle leather piece is removed often, ensure it does not dry out by waxing it more regularly. If by chance it has dried out, there will be a change in the look and texture of the leather, and it will feel rougher. To remedy this, place the item in warm water for 15-20 minutes, let it dry completely for several hours then soak it by coating it with wax oil and rubbing the oil in.
This stiffer leather can feel a bit rougher to very sensitive skin. If the leather does not respond to this final attempt, you may send it back to us and we will either remedy or replace it for you.
African Kudu Leather
Our most supple sustainable leather with a natural elasticity.
Origin of our
African Kudu Leather
Kudu has been a traditional tribal resource across eastern and southern Africa for millennia. Kudus are extremely populous in Africa and are one of the largest mammals in the antelope family.
Our Kudu leather is purchased from local subsistence hunting in Namibia where they sell the hides for additional income. It’s a historically proven leather that helps to reduce disposability and waste.
Tanned Leather
Tactile and Durable
Extraordinarily tactile and elegant with a subtle wildness, our African Kudu ages gracefully, is immensely strong and innately water-resistant. With a soft suede underside and a buffed finish on the grain side, Kudu will harden slightly with age but retain its soft feel.
The Kudu symbolises strong character, agility and grace born of an energetic balance & unity and an instinctive intelligence with a strong connection to spirit.
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Caring for your African Kudu Leather
Kudu is a wonderfully supple and durable leather with elasticity. We make each Kudu leather piece to fit very snuggly to start with — you should barely be able to get it on and might need a hand, and don’t be afraid to squeeze it on. Within 30 to 60 minutes of initially putting it on, the leather will give and mould to fit.
If it is impossible to put your Kudu piece on, rub in some wax oil and warm up the leather. You will only need a very tiny bit of oil to loosen it, so initially, it is best to squeeze your jewellery piece on and let it mould to you first.
Depending on the weight of the stone and other factors, the Kudu may require additional tailoring, which we will happily undertake.
American Bison Leather
A durable, sustainable leather with a rugged character.
Origin of our
American Bison Leather
Our Bison leather is purchased as a by-product of the US meat industry where Bison is being reintroduced as a sustainable and environmentally beneficial resource, replacing cows in many cases – a practice that is also reinvigorating local environments to their originally healthy ecosystem.
Bison is a sustainable tribal leather that reduces disposability and waste that improves with wear.
Tanned Leather
Rugged, Sturdy and Grounded
Our American Bison accessories are soft and flexible and yet strong and durable. The larger fibres compress over time enhancing its natural water resistance over its lifetime.
The Bison symbolises prosperity and abundance derived from being in harmony with nature and its innate state of abundance. Bison also symbolise a resilience born of inner strength, courage and stamina that supports manifestation.
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Caring for your American Bison Leather
Bison leather has larger fibres compared to other leathers. With initial use, you might see a few loose fibres here and there. You can simply trim these with small scissors and then rub in some of your complimentary wax oil.
Australian Kangaroo Leather
Our lightest sustainable leather with the highest tensile strength.
Origin of our
Australian Kangaroo Leather
The Australian kangaroo leather we source is not farmed and is a by product of the managed conservation of wild herds. A long-standing sustainable resource that is strictly controlled by the Australian government.
The bold nature of kangaroos symbolises the qualities of physical, mental and emotional strength. It is said that Kangaroos are aware of their power and their unique combination of strength, awareness and fortitude characterise a formidable leader.
Tanned Leather
Svelte and Uncompromising
Our Australian Kangaroo accessories have the highest tensile strength whilst remaining lightweight and flexible giving it a sleek and streamlined look.
The Kangaroo symbolises combined physical, mental and emotional strength. The unique combination of strength, awareness and fortitude promotes exceptional balance and decisiveness - the hallmarks of a great leader.
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Caring for your Australian Kangaroo Leather
Kangaroo leather requires the least attention of all our leathers. A thin, hand-cut and trimmed lace with a high tensile strength, it endures all the elements with a resilience unlike any other leathers. Sleek and uncompromising, this leather is soft to the touch and very light weight.
Why We Choose Our Leathers
Rooted in History
Our choice of leathers has purpose. Our vision is to foster a better world and a greener legacy which is why we have specifically chosen leathers that have been used for centuries - and even millennia - as proven sustainable resources.
Durability Reduces Disposability
Another aspect of our commitment to sustainability is our desire to reduce waste and disposability. Tribal leathers have nature-designed qualities of utility and durability which means our accessories never have to be taken off and will last a lifetime. In ancient times, accessories were an integral part of the person and their story, and they would be worn in all conditions, cared for as important totems and symbols lasting the wearer’s lifetime.
Hand Made vs Mass Produced
Almost all leathers on the market come from mass produced sources of cow hide that degrade and fall apart when exposed to the elements, as well as simply wearing down over time. Our leathers have been tested not only through the centuries, but through millennia of use as a primary tribal resource. Cheap mass-produced leather is a product of globally scaled cattle business and our leather results from sustainably managed and environmentally proven sources.
Cutting & Preparation
We hand cut and then repeatedly wax and oil each lace over 3-4 months to make sure they are both tactile and durable enough to last a lifetime. An ancient tradition that ensures pieces are crafted to last.
Leather Care
As an organic material, our leather benefits from ongoing care so we include a complimentary pot of wax oil with your leather accessory to keep it supple. We recommend a small dab applied directly to the leather while it is being worn. Only apply the wax oil when the leather is completely dry and then allow a few hours for it to fully dry, before re-exposing it to water or other elements.
Our accessories prefer to be worn and we have specifically chosen materials that improve with wear and usage. They are designed to be part of your life and accompany you through all of life’s adventures - in all conditions, without you worrying about them.
Twist of the Leather
Since all of our leather cord and lace is made by hand they are not perfectly round. These leathers twist slightly as you wear them over time. Stiffer leathers like English Bridle and also Kangaroo will twist less than Bison or Kudu as these are softer hides.
When Your Leather Needs a Detox
Every once in a while, the leather can react to a particular ingredient (typically chemical) in a shower gel, shampoo or other product. The fibres in the leather get coated and are not able to breathe properly. This then allows a damp mould to build up slowly as the leather never fully dries, often imperceptibly.
Please follow the steps below to fully clean and restore the leather:
1
Wash it thoroughly with a vegan shower gel - it can work with other products, but you may end up running the same risk again. Leave it to dry separately (not on the wrist) for a minimum of 6 hrs until it is completely dry (maximum of 12 hours) depending on the environmental conditions.
2
Wax it with a larger than normal amount of wax, get it well coated, and leave it to dry separately for 24 hrs (not on the wrist).
3
Wipe off any excess and you can also polish it with a cotton cloth as well for best results - like you would a shoe.
Special tips for summer care in salt water:
Wash the salt water off when you shower - using a non-chemical or perfumed gel or vegan shampoo. Then when it is dry, rub in some wax oil. Follow this golden rule: always use less and rub it in more. Every few days should be fine but trust your gut instinct, if you think you need to do it more frequently. If you do do it more frequently, then just use even less and thoroughly rub it in
Follow the above steps once a week until the smell is gone. Usually, it requires you to do this twice, but it could take a few more times depending on its current condition. Once you have removed the smell, you can go back to using the same products as the leather, like skin, will acclimatise after some care and typically won’t react the same way again.
Let us know if you have any questions by email at info@atlasaccessories.com