Leather articles by an artisan

Got this messenger and notebook from 798 or Dashanzi Art District in Beijing. We stopped by one of the streets and approached what we thought were sellers of vintage items displaying their goods. The man I bought these from even showed me the paper he uses for the notebook.

I like the feel of the leather, which I think is suede. Whenever I'm about to write something, just touching the grain encourages me to put down what I feel. I initially had apprehensions about the engraved design, but it reminds me of haikus.

I like the way the flap of the leather bag was cut so nonchalantly. The bag can also be used as a portfolio once the strap is detatched.

What I like most about the two items is that they feel personal. Because the maker put much care in making them - putting the little details and not scrimping on material - I get the feeling that they were somehow made for me, and that they'll stay with me for quite some time.

My favorite things, part 1: Espadrilles, books, and leather notebooks

My mom just returned from Davao with the top three espadrille colors I ordered (there are of course more, but they can wait). Got another navy blue pair, plus two basics, since the one I have will be giving way soon. Right now I'm in the process of breaking them in. Strange that for me, things happen in reverse: the espadrilles are initially loose, then my feet get used to filling out the fabric.




I am aware that Tommy Ton's amazing blog, Jak & Jil, does My Favorite Things posts for fashion people. I suppose my version is different, since I think only half of my favorite things can be worn, and not a lot of them can be categorized into "lifestyle" items.

These three leather notebooks have been collected over time (their many predecessors are tucked inside a drawer). The top one in checkered suede was a gift from a friend, the one with leaves and butterflies I bought from an artisan in Beijing, and the large, chocolate brown notebook is the latest acquisition. Inside them are doodles and mostly poems and drafts and snippets of poems, my thoughts, and impressions from different periods in my life.




Literature is my first love, and much of the form and content of this blog, believe it or not, has been influenced by what I have read. Here, the row of books looks just like something from a store shelf. You can only see colors, titles, and names. Nothing is surrendered as instantly as clothes surrender shape and texture to both our eyes and our hands. But inside these pages are stories of generations that span continents and many wars, people stranded in forests of sighs, not to mention Chinese silks, exquisite kimonos, and all the finery of the Colonial era.

The sun shines through words as it pierces gossamer, honey, amber, diamonds, or simply: salt.




So what do espadrilles, notebooks, and books have in common? They have all taken me on journeys, whether points A and B are places, people, stories, or the destinations that only silence can reach.


I have relatives coming to Manila from Davao in August. For those interested to buy espadrilles, kindly drop a word.

Palmer and Sons belt, cuffs and laptop bag

I guess I am still not over the beautifully rugged leather articles by Palmer and Sons. Here is an update on the goods and what I love from their new offering.




I have seen these fasteners (clasps?) before, but on a much smaller scale, and on necklaces. Recognize them?




At first I am reminded of bracelets from Maison Martin Margiela that increase the scale of small everyday objects, but these cuffs possess none of the (unfortunately) latent pretentiousness of conceptual pieces.

These appear anything but artificial. As if these clasps couldn't have been made for anything else but leather cuffs. They look industrial but at the same time archaic and traditional.

Or simply: pierced tongues!




Apparently, the "clasps" have their own story:

We tend to see nice “things” before we then realise them into designs. With the No 12c Cuff we first saw the small chromed pin; it then took us about 3 months to work out what to do with it. This cuff is simple, and light, works well loose or tight fitting. The lettering is stamped letter by letter with a set of 1950’s metal stamps.

10 oz bridle leather; hand polished Chromed pin; handmade throughout; adjustable, wear two ways with pin under or over




Now this leather sleeve for the 15-inch MacBook Pro, I admit, came as a surprise.




I know I already found a red portfolio and haven't stopped writing about laptop portfolios (one by Kenton Sorenson and several such as those used by the men in Pitti and Milan, but there is still one important thing that they lack.

You guessed it: a strong and sturdy shoulder strap.




Just look at that. How can anyone not wax poetic about such beautiful tan leather.




With hardware usually only seen on mountain climbers.




The veins on the skin and the stitching.

But, and I think this is the first time I'm suggesting this, I think the sleeve/shoulder bag can be improved by adding an option. Why not include a fabric shoulder strap with it, one in a darker shade of brown, just to add a little sophistication. Of course it must, by some feat of engineering, still exert the least possible strain on users' shoulder muscles while still confidently carrying the weight of the laptop. Just a thought.

10 oz  London tan bridle leather, hand-stitched, steelworkers safety clip




I know you spotted that flash of tan on the model's denim, and so did I.




No point really in restricting the use of fantastic hides. This belt is also a standout.




Perfect for raw denim.




Not to mention to add something rustic to your outfit.

10 oz bridle leather, 1.5” wide, solid brass buckle, handmade throughout, solid brass rivets




But if you prefer something other than London tan, Palmer and Sons offers customization with the use of dark brown, jet black, oxblood, Italian cognac, and Havana brown colored leather.




Just think of the possibilities.

Leather and hardware by Palmer & Sons

At Palmer & Sons we make all of our designs by our very own hands in Vancouver, Canada. My son Jack and myself design, prototype, and produce each design one at a time by hand from start to finish. Using traditional methods, heritage materials and vintage tools to bring you designs that are timeless and peaceful in their principles. We hope you enjoy our limited issue designs, we feel they speak to a slow, calm, and more enjoyable mode of life.




The slow, painstaking attention to detail. Work done by hand, by artisans who understand materials, design, construction, and the environment. The enjoyment of the resulting products cannot be called anything less than pleasure. And the lookbook for the leather bags of Palmer & Sons is set in the beach and by the roadside, where life waits patient yet expectant.




This suitcase (Leather Suitcase No 03 XXS) — with its leather fastenings, brass rivets, metalware, and cocobolo and walnut handle — looks suited for adventure. As if some buried treasure was meant to be placed inside it, after travelling thousands of miles and facing strange people, unpredictable terrain, and merciless weather.




First I was worried by the bulk of it and the hard material that must give it its shape, but as it happens, it is only semi-rigid and uses no wood. The best thing about it? It is custom-built so no two bags are identical.




Part of the customization is a choice of interior fabrics: from plain green wool and beige suede to woven silks by Etro and Mulberry and Chinese variations that come with brocade.




The standard interior.




From an XXS version of the suitcase in London Tan, we go to its Small version (Leather Suitcase No 03 S) in chestnut (in this image at least).




With the increased size comes variations in the way the leather flaps are cut.




A different wood combination (padauk and walnut) is also used for the handle, which is now double-layered.




Then finally the Medium version (Leather Suitcase No 03 M).




It looks big enough to hold a small instrument. And the shoulder straps are as wide as barbers' sharpening strops.




It's easy to imagine this bag floating to a beach from a shipwreck — the leather still retaining its sheen in some parts, but beautifully aged and weathered.



You can bring it anywhere.




Take not just artisan's implements, but also books and documents.




Now this messenger (Leather Bag No 01 M) is the urban soldier's companion.




It is as handy as a satchel.




With rivets playfully outlining the edges.




Don't you just love the hand-carved cocobolo wood toggle? It gives the bag a character beyond bags.




I can imagine myself waiting for someone or drinking at a cafe while absent-mindedly stroking the grain of the leather and feeling the cold rivets.




For diehards there is the Leather Gladstone No 10 L.




No matter what you do, this reminds you of trains and long travel. The view of carriages, the countryside, and smoke absorbing idle chatter that drifts and dissolves with the passing of time.




The top rails are made of cocobolo and ebony. This model uses Havana brown leather.




Ah, the vagaries of travel. The detours of waiting.




A shoulder purse (Leather Bag No 09 S) for women.




The zebra wood toggle. Don't the possibilities amaze you?




Made of chestnut bridle leather.




I think a big flappy cluth with rivets would be a nice addition to the collection.




Since we look at our mobiles for the time anyway, why not completely do away with watch faces and replace them with shackles?




This cuff (Leather Cuff No 12a) is a study in masculinity.




It is assertive, yet not brutal.




The screw even looks like a watch dial.




Items like this cuff and the previous bags are license to return to the attentive slowness of life.

Time enough to enjoy beauty, to wait, and to walk — to wander; to travel.