sustainability

Quality, craftsmanship and sustainability go hand in hand, in my opinion. And as Contra grows, it is important to consider how that affects our practices in a sustainable way.

First, we strive to use the best quality leather, and for us, that is vegetable-tanned leather. It ages beautifully and uses fewer chemicals in the tanning process. We also specify full-grain leather. This means we are using the natural finish of the hide, instead of shaving the top layer off to create a more even finish. This also brings another level of beauty to our products as they will all have unique textures and qualities. Full-grain leather means less processing, less waste created, and a more durable product.

All of our leather goods are saddle stitched by hand. Not only is this a very durable stitch, but it is easy to repair and is designed so the thread will not unravel.

Our production is made in small batches, as well as made-to-order. Our material waste is reused for smaller products or donated to local art organizations.