Split Leather

One of my favorite companies, Lotuff & Clegg, recently became two companies after the Lotuffs and Frank Clegg decided to part ways. Moving into 2012, there will be Lotuff Leather and Frank Clegg Leatherworks.

To be sure, Frank Clegg Leatherworks isn’t a new company. It was started in 1976 and for the first 25 years, Frank maintained his own line of goods. The English briefcase I own, in fact, was designed by him over 30 years ago. In 2009, Joe and Rick Lotuff approached Frank about partnering up to form Lotuff and Clegg. Frank was to design and make the products, and they would be billed to Lotuff and Clegg. Now that the partners have split up, however, Frank is back to doing his own company.

Frank Clegg Leatherworks’ products are built from custom leathers produced to Frank’s specifications. There is a harness-belting leather that’s very much like English saddle leather, as well as a tumbled leather that will serve as the company’s standard vegetable tanned leather. Additionally, Frank tells me that he’ll have a lightweight leather for a soft line of handbags as well as a “surprise leather” which he suspects will make quite an impression. Each of these is sourced from different tanneries from around the world. I haven’t been told what products we should expect in 2012, but when his company first started, Frank maintained a complete line of vests, hats, luggage, briefcases, handbags, belts, and wallets. I’m a big fan of his work, so I hope he’ll introduce just as large of a line in the future. For now, I’ve included some pictures below of his current collection.

As for Lotuff Leather, Joe and Rick tell me that they remain committed to the same quality they’ve always maintained. They’ll continue using the same supplier for their milled vegetable tanned leather, but also expand their offerings to include domestically sourced vegetable tanned and vegetable dyed leather, skirting leather, bridle leather, and harness leather. This will allow them to explore a wide range of finishes, textures, and weights. In the latter half of 2012, they also plan to incorporate belting leather, which is derived from machinery use. This will be stronger, heavier and more rigid, and will be used to build structure into pieces that will be introduced around September. Lastly, they plan to open their own factory in 2012 in the Providence area. I’ve been told that the manufacturing will be done by a master craftsman who has been behind two legendary American companies.

While I’m quite disappointed to see one of my favorite companies split up, I also look forward to seeing how the two companies will develop next year. Here’s to hoping that they’ll both find a lot of success in 2012.