What is your fascination with leather?
I like the feeling of it being a material that has a soul. Not only is it versatile, but has a texture that no synthetic material can compete with. It’s almost alive, and when you take good care of it, you can achieve one-of-a-kind colours and timelessness.
How is your craft connected to Seville?
I am nurtured by the city, especially the neighborhood of Triana, a real crossroad of cultures. When I am exposed to the colourful ceramics, fabrics or examples of Moorish-inspired art and architecture, I can feel the magic and cannot help but reflect these features and patterns in my embossed leather goods.
© Artesanía en piel Javier Menacho
What is does well made mean for you?
I craft different goods, and it does take time as excellence is achieved only through practice, driven by hard work. I aim to make pieces that have clean cuts, with flawless hand stitching according to the thickness of the material and polishing which gives the final touch.
Do you have a special memory of your craft?
My son David, who is now 6 years old, a year ago told me he wanted to make a belt, so I cut the leather strip for him and made the holes, while explaining to him the whole process, leading him to do the stitching himself. He loved it and still wears the belt.