TYPES OF LEATHER
As curators of fine Textiles, Wallcoverings & Leather, Altfield London distribute high end lines from around the world, together with a collection of smaller boutique and artisanal lines. In addition, Altfield also produce our own collections of Fabric, Wallcovering, Leather & Faux Leather, which blend perfectly with the brands we represent. Our lines embody the richness of design and material which have become synonymous with the Altfield brand and offer the perfect balance between beauty and performance.
Combining our many years of experience with our love of natural products, this year saw the launch of the Altfield Leather collection, our carefully curated line of the finest quality leather for the residential, commercial, and marine markets.
With an extensive palette of colour and texture, our collection ranges from natural to finished leathers providing options for any project or price point.
This season we are proud to present our highly anticipated second collection. Building on the foundations of our popular release of design staples this Spring, this release sees new colours of Fleming and Ludlow along with a capsule of specialty finishes including Outdoor and Patent Embossed surfaces. Adding to the ever-expanding palette of colours and qualities, our new introductions will make Altfield your one stop shop for luxury leather.
When choosing what leather to use in a project, it is important to understand the different qualities within leather, for this brand focus we delve into the different types of leather and their unique properties.
Aniline Leather
Often referred to as Pure Aniline or Full Aniline, this type of leather is the most natural, meaning the hide is dyed in vats with soluble dyes which impregnate the leather, giving it dimension alongside its lush and deep colour (stained glass affect). As leather is a natural product, the dye will take to each hide differently, even within the same dye lot, offering subtle variation. Little to no protective coatings or surface pigments are applied, allowing the leather to show its natural beauty and texture. This style of leather tends to only have additional finishes of oil or wax which can allow some hides to have a beautiful pull up effect and patina over time. However, the absence of additional treatments may also render the leather more susceptible to scratching, staining, or fading, which is part of its charm.
Semi-Aniline Leather
Quite often misinterpreted, Semi Aniline does not mean partial. Produced the same way as full aniline leather is, semi aniline leathers have further treatment applied. This can include a protective coating applied to the top of the hide which usually includes some pigment, to provide a more consistent colour. Due to the pigmented coating, some blemishes will be concealed leaving a more uniform surface texture. Additional finishes may then be applied to the leather either by hand or by machine (e.g. antiquing or embossing). Finally, a clear protective coating is applied to seal the leather from environmental factors, which can include water or stain repellence.
Pigmented/Protected Leather
As above, this quality of leather is dyed but the surface is then coated with a pigmented topcoat. Blemishes and imperfections are removed through buffing or sanding and then may be embossed with an artificial texture. Pigmented leather is a durable quality with a consistent colour and finish but sometimes at the expense of the leather’s natural properties.
Nubuck/Suede
Some aniline leathers are sanded of buffed to create an open nap; the result is called Nubuck. These leathers are the softest kind available and have a beautiful, almost velvety, feel. Yet, they are also the most susceptible to wear or build-up of debris due to the open nap. When this process is applied to a split hide, this creates a suede.
When selected a leather it really comes down to personal preference. If authenticity and the beauty of natural leather is your preference, consider choosing full or semi aniline. If durability and consistency of finish are your main concern, protected leathers may be a more appropriate choice.
For a larger surface area, it is important it is to understand what to expect of the type of leather you choose. As the panel cut becomes larger, it can become harder to negotiate around natural features and there can be more wastage. Average wastage per hide is approximately 20-30% depending on yield of cuts.
View the full collection
– HERE -
ALTFIELD APPORVED - Leather
Staff Favourites
Emma, our Director, loves: Winchester
“I love the vintage nature of this leather – a true classic”
Sarah, our Customer Service Executive, loves: Monmouth
“Such a luxurious natural leather. I love every colour in the collection!”
Rodell, our Showroom Manager, loves: Windermere
“The ultimate natural leather, a beautiful finish with a hint of wax”
Cheryl, our Sales Executive, loves: Winchester
“I love the distressed look, especially in colour Waterlily - a fresh, on trend colourway!”
William, our Managing Director, loves: Sandhurst
“Such a fabulous hand and a good environmental choice too”
Julie, our Customer Service Executive, loves: Ludlow
"I love the feel and softness this leather gives in an array of colours.
It is such an organic natural product, being cleaned water tanned it is helping with reducing pollution"
Katherine, our PR & Marketing Executive, loves: Richmond
“A classic leather in a extensive palette, the nature of this leather means it will beautifully patina over time”
Fionn, our Sales Executive, loves: Vegas
“A super fun, high gloss patent leather, available in a fresh colour palette”
Olivia, our Sales Executive, loves: Vegas
“Vegas is very different to all the other leathers, I love the shine and especially this shade of green, Sage, as it’s my favourite colour”
Suzy, our Sales Executive, loves: Monaco
“An outdoor leather that’s also washable, what more could you ask for! Perfect for sun terraces and spas”
Emma, our PR & Marketing Manager loves: Fleming
A super soft hand in a great selection of colourways plus it's chrome free & clean water tanned, what's not to love!
