MEET SUEDE
FROM:
Underside of animal hides, typically from the skin of lambs, goats, or calves.
IS IT SUSTAINABLE?
No.
IS IT DURABLE?
Yes.
IS IT BREATHABLE?
No.
IS IT WARM?
No.
HISTORY:
Suede, as a type of leather, has a long history dating back to ancient times. However, the term “suede” itself originated in France in the early 19th century.
The process of creating suede leather by buffing or sanding the underside of animal hides has been practiced for centuries. In ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Greece, and Rome, leather was tanned and finished in various ways to achieve different textures and qualities, including suede-like finishes.
In the 19th century, those stylish French glove-makers had a genius idea. They whipped out their sandpaper and brushed the leather’s underside, creating that divine velvety texture. And voilà, “suede” was born, inspired by “gants de Suède,” which means “gloves from Sweden.”
Suede gained popularity in the 20th century when it was used in fashion for a variety of products beyond gloves, including shoes, jackets, and accessories. Its luxurious and tactile feel made it a sought-after material in the fashion industry.
Today, it continues to be a popular choice for various fashion and lifestyle products. It is valued for its unique texture, softness, and versatility, and is widely used in the production of footwear, garments, bags, and upholstery.
PRODUCTION PROCESS:
Animal hides, typically from lambs, goats, or calves, are selected based on their quality and suitability for suede production. The selected hides are cleaned and then tanned.
Once tanned, the suede side is processed through a buffing or sanding machine. This process removes any residual imperfections and creates the characteristic napped surface of the fabric. The buffing or sanding action raises the short fibers on the surface, resulting in a soft and velvety texture.
After buffing, it undergoes additional finishing processes to enhance its appearance and performance. This may include dyeing, application of coatings or finishes for protection and color enhancement, and final treatments to improve water and stain resistance.
Once the fabric is finished, it is ready to be cut and used for various applications. Suede is commonly used in the production of shoes, jackets, bags and many more.
