Melissa Marie Leather cherishes the art of leather working rooted in tradition, with a vision to create heirloom pieces that age gracefully, telling the story of their use over time.

Coming from a family of equestrians, Melissa has been surrounded by saddlery and tack since childhood. Horses and leather were part of daily life, and her mother’s mantra — “If you look after your tack, it will look after you” — instilled in her both a strong work ethic and deep respect for this enduring material. Those early lessons showed her that leather, when cared for properly, can last a lifetime, and they sparked an admiration for its unique beauty and durability.

Today, Melissa passes on this respect for leather through her work. Each product is meticulously crafted using traditional techniques, no machines, just hands. Starting with a whole hide, she hand-cuts every component before fitting the fastenings with hand-setting tools. Every item is finished with saddle stitching using waxed thread, a time-honoured method that produces pieces of exceptional strength and longevity.

Melissa sources her hides exclusively from select UK tanneries that use sustainable practices, working only with leather that is a by-product of the meat industry and would otherwise go to waste. She believes in creating with integrity: producing pieces that are timeless, functional, and deeply connected to their material origins.