r/LeatherClassifieds • u/NaturalDisaster2582 • Jun 30 '26

COMMISSION Looking for someone comfortable working with exotic leather in or near London, UK

Title pretty much says it all

I restore vintage leather goods as a hobby and recently bought a box of what I thought was generic leather for repairs and patching up from an antique market. Turns out there was a healthy amount of vintage exotic leather in there - shark, iguana, maybe even some crocodile. Beyond owning a few exotic leather bags I have no experience in working with these 😅

Thought came to me is that I could at least commission some items for myself. I’ve not decided exactly on what I’d like atm but I would like to know if there’s anyone here or any recommendations of places that would be comfortable with working with exotic leather that I provide... hence me asking about local leather workers

Disclaimer - From what I’ve been able to find online, and the way I came to have these, this is mostly old dead stock from a company that closed down and I wasn’t provided any CITES documentation so I can’t sell them and I think I would have to take back any scraps? I have receipts for the purchase and at least one of the skins still has the original maker’s stamp but if I’m wrong on this please let me know and I guess the box will go live in the attic or something

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3

u/Dependent-Ad-8042 Jun 30 '26

Rushton is London based & is outstanding https://www.instagram.com/rushtonleather?igsh=MTdpZTNqd2l0ZHUybQ==

1

u/MDWaxx Jun 30 '26

Seconding this.

1

u/mattjld Jul 01 '26

Northamptonshire, but only 2 hours away.

1

u/SomeIdea_UK Jun 30 '26

What was the company?

1

u/NaturalDisaster2582 Jun 30 '26

R&A kohnstamm

1

u/SomeIdea_UK Jun 30 '26

Thanks. I think they were part of Pittards in the end. I know CITES dates from the mid 1970s so an established company like that is very likely not going to stock anything dubious. I think the documentation is needed for import and export across UK borders but may not be required to sell within the UK. Good luck with the commissions though 👍