Leather UK Announces “Repair and Restore” Collab with Mary’s Living and Giving Shops for Save the Children

Leather UK, the trade body that represents, promotes and protects the UK leather industry has just announced a repair and restore collaboration with Mary’s Living and Giving Shops for Save the Children, aimed at breathing new life into leather pieces found on their rails and shelves. 

In a first-of-its-kind partnership, Leather UK members have expertly restored to their former glory a range of leather bags. They have now been returned to the Mary’s Living and Giving shop in Chiswick where they were originally donated, to be sold at a premium. Restorations have been carried out by Leather Repair Company (LRC) and the skilled craftspeople in its Hull workshop and Mulberry, whose artisans rejuvenated a Somerset Tote at their Lifetime Service Centre at The Rookery, one of its carbon neutral Somerset factories.

The initiative is designed to demonstrate to shoppers that with a little bit of TLC, the innate properties of leather mean that well-used or tired-looking leather products can be readily refurbished and restored, making choosing pre-loved items found in charity shops like Mary’s Living and Giving a more sustainable choice.  

Bags repaired during the collaboration will carry the ‘Leather for Life’ swing tag – Leather UK’s labelling initiative for British leather goods that provides consumers with up to date, reliable information about leather, including facts about how leather is produced and its status as a by-product of the food industry.

Lynsey Scott, Stock Generation Manager at Mary’s Living and Giving comments: “Our customers are extremely passionate about finding quality pieces that make a difference – both for the planet and our cause –  with 100% of the profits going towards helping children here in the UK and internationally. By choosing our unique pre-loved bags and clothing our supporters are helping to reduce waste and champion a thoughtful, purposeful approach to fashion.” 

Dr Kerry Senior, Director at Leather UK, concludes: “Leather is a natural and durable material that, when properly cared for, can last a lifetime, embodying the core values of slow fashion. Unlike ultra-processed materials such as plastic-based leather alternatives, which will deteriorate over time, leather ages beautifully, developing a patina that tells the unique story of each bag. This collaboration demonstrates the role leather plays in a more sustainable future by encouraging consumers to make more considered and sustainable choices.” 

Visit https://www.instagram.com/leather_uk/ or @leather_uk on Instagram to find out more information and follow the bags’ restoration journey.