Elk leather: A Tanner’s dream
There’s a great story behind the leather of our mystical Oi Polloi Wallabees. The beautiful unicorn leather (named by Stead tanners themselves) is Elk leather from across Scandinavia and Russia. Being one of the biggest land mammals in North America and Eastern Europe and certainly among the largest in the deer family, the Elk has provided food, warmth, weapons and travel means for indigenous people over thousands of years.
Working closely with local people, Stead source hides that become available as a result of normal culling procedures every late autumn. Local hide collectors will first cure the leather with salt and sand then a local tanner will begin primary tanning. The Elk hides are then imported to Leeds, UK where Stead tanners dye and finish the leather to a range of gorgeous colours.
The skilled tanners at Stead recognise the natural beauty of each hide, keeping the skin’s true characteristics. Each scar or scratch stays where it belongs, making each Wallabee completely unique.
This amazing skin is a tanner’s dream to work with. Feeling really is believing so when you get the chance, give them a stroke and try on a pair. Your feet will love you forever.
