BRIC’S MILANO products can be characterized by a distinct style aesthetic of vegetable tanned, Italian Tuscan bovine leather used throughout its collections for trim, detail or full leather luggage collections.
Tuscan Leather – Italy is known for a rich heritage in the leather craft. The region of Tuscany, being the most famous, is home to some of the best leather artisans in the world due to vegetable tanning techniques and production methods.
Vegetable Tanned Leather – this is the most traditional method of leather tanning, recognizable for it’s distinct aesthetic. It leaves the leather skin closets to the original state. Our tanning gives a natural color in a warm, brilliant shade which comes from natural extracts of Mimosa, Quebracho and Chestnut tress. While chemical/chrome tanning is known to be highly toxic, both to the environment and communities where it is produced, vegetable tanning on the other hand is the most ecological and environmentally friendly way to tan leather. Vegetable tanned leather ages beautifully, it allows the skin to reside most in it’s natural state and age without spoiling.
The Vegetable Tanning, Process and Stages:
- Crust – is a tanned and drum dyed skin without finish.
- Follanata – the skin is milled 12 hours to create this natural pebble-grain movement.
- A Meta’ Rifinizione – the skin at this point is half finished. We spray aniline to get the right color.
- Finita – the skin is finished, the aniline spray is fixed on the surface and then ironed to obtain the right shine.
Terms to Know:
Saffiano – A machine textured leather, historically made in Italy’s most famous tanneries, Saffiano was a signature of established Italian design house Prada dating back to 1913. The term Saffiano is derived the cross hatch print that is pressed into the wax that coats the leather. It is intended water-resistant on a vegetable tanned base. It is intended to be durable and vibrant.
Full-Grain – the highest quality of leather used. The grain is the top layer of the hide, it is also the strongest part – protecting the hide from wear and tear. Full grain leather is not treated to remove surface imperfections, therefore the hide quality must been in outstanding condition. It is considered the most authentic and ‘natural’ because the cowhide remains as close to the original state as possible. Because the leather has not been treated, sanded or buffed, to remove imperfection the surface grain remains very tight, resulting in better moisture resistance and stronger durability. Rather than the fibers breaking down and the leather wearing out, Full Grain leather begins to develop a ‘patina’ that is highly desirable the longer it is used.
Drum-Dyed – a process to ensure maximum dye penetration. The leather is immersed in dye then tumbled in a rotating drum until it is colored all the way through, as opposed to just on the surface.
Aniline – A translucent dye treatment intended to bring out the natural character of the leather, similar to a stain on wood.
Leather Care – Delicately clean the stained area with a soft and dry cloth. In case of greasy or persistent stain, use a small quantity of neutral wax or a leather cleaning product on a soft cloth and rub delicately. Then polish with a clean and dry cloth.
Since the leather may fade, first try cleaning on a hidden part of the trimming before trying to remove the stain. The products are made of tanned leather to enhance color and sensation to the touch. Exposition to rain or humidity may cause colors to fade or splotches to appear. If the part is in contact with water, remove the liquid by dabbing the part with a dry cloth. Then let it dry completely away from sources of heat before putting it away. Do not brush. Do not immerse the product in water. Do not dry clean. Do not use benzene or alcohol based products.