This is when prehistoric man becomes carnivore; a hunter and gatherer who uses the skins of animals as clothes to protect and keep themselves warm. The skin was first tanned with hair or wool. The use of the leather to make shoes is certainly a more recent development. The leather was made by using the skin of any mammal, reptile, bird or fish in a process called tanning. This process preserves skin that otherwise would have rotted quickly. It was composed of a network of long fibers, finely interlaced in 3D like felt.
The connotation of leather has evolved over time. Leather, however, has always been a symbol of strength, dynamism, power and will to win. In the Middle Ages, the soldiers wore a leather bracelet which was supposed to give them strength, confidence and protection. The material gained ground in a more pragmatic way and was cut for more functional “outside” clothes such as an aviator jacket, vests, gloves… Thereafter, the communities that felt the most misunderstood and victimized adopted the use of leather. It is an object of all fantasies and fetishes, and has the ability to appear rebellious and very sensual in the blink of an eye. It is well known as an outfit for bikers or something worn by rock stars during a performance.
It was in the 40s that the culture of real leather made its appearance. Such a prerogative of the American gay community, it quickly conquered the known underground circles, the eternal rebel in a society too strict for their liking. Then came the fifties, hippies, punkies, yuppies… After the gay community and the rock scene, there was the turn to the fetish community, who took ownership of the image of leather. For what it evokes, strength and sexual power, leather allows fans to look safer and more dominant. It is true that leather has the things of a fantasy. Smooth and silky, it hugs the body like a second skin, thus showing the form of our attributes. But as time passes, the symbol and the use of leather will be changed, and we will wear it at home. It will be democratized, but above all will lose its underground connotation. Much more chic, almost cosmetic touches will be seen in almost all collections. This winter it is a sculptural piece that tends to tell another story, “a preppy story”, a story “on edge”.
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