Biker gangs with tattooed arms and scruffy beards. Rebels
without a cause breaking free of social norms (think: James Dean). Women who’ve
bid adieu to the ‘soft and dainty’ and embraced the wilder realms of risqué-fashion.
These are probably some of the images most instinctively recalled when one says
‘leather and fashion’.
Like niche brands around the globe, The Leather Boutique (TLB) is here to break that image and make leather as much an accessory of the elegant and poised as it is of the grunge and edgy. Sourcing the highest quality of leather available, TLB celebrates the natural beauty of the hide through classic, sophisticated design.
Like niche brands around the globe, The Leather Boutique (TLB) is here to break that image and make leather as much an accessory of the elegant and poised as it is of the grunge and edgy. Sourcing the highest quality of leather available, TLB celebrates the natural beauty of the hide through classic, sophisticated design.
“Our Salisbury duffle bag,” says Zeshan when asked which product best defines their brand, “Jayanti and I love to travel and we love the outdoors. Everything we put into this brand is a reflection of this lifestyle and our experiences.”
Jackets crafted in premium-quality leather are as stylish as they are sophisticated.
Log on to their website or step in to their store in
Bangalore and you will be instantly captivated by its old-world charm and
vintage vibe. Up and centre is a generous range of leather jackets for men and
women as black, brown and tan hang comfortably beside fuchsia, red, midnight
navy, ocean blue, teal and even neon green. Cut to fit the wearer like a glove,
these jackets are enticingly soft to the touch and tastefully embellished –
contrast lining, somber tacks and buckles, elegant thread-detailing and voguish
textures.
They call it the Lil' Doctor Bag and we love everything about it – from its colour and shape to its thoughtful detailing and basket weave.
An iPad sleeve that can effortlessly transition into an evening clutch, this quilted, indigo number is as under-stated as it is fashion-forward.
Bags and wallets for men and women include office bags with
laptop sleeves, laptop cases, duffels, satchels, clutches, wristlets and plenty
more. Apart from these traditional accessories, TLB diversifies their range to
encompass golf-bags, wine-bottle holders, hip-flasks, passport-holders,
portfolios, watch-cases and money-clips. The products on offer here carry a
common ethos of classic aesthetics and contemporary functionality, achieved by
keeping a stringent hold on every part of the production process – right from
‘sourcing and processing to designing, crafting and engineering each piece’.
And, to add that special touch to your purchase, they even personalise it
through monogramming.
The gentlemanly charm of the Colonial era meets the demands of today’s working man in this milled calfskin overall that has room enough for your tech accessories, a set of clothes and travel essentials.
Jayanti brings her expertise in Advertising & Marketing, while Zeshan, like his father before him, has spent years dealing with leather and its export.
Started by Bangalorean couple, Zeshan Rehman and Jayanti
Bhattacharya, TLB is a prosperous marriage of vintage panache and modish
sensibility and its products are prideful of their natural roots. “We believe
in minimal embellishments and allow the leather to speak for itself. Many
brands use lower-grade leather and do everything to hide it, but we use high-quality
natural leathers and go out of our way to let the natural imperfections show,”
says Zeshan, who comes with over a decade’s experience in leather and its
export, as he shows us pieces in which the leather’s innate grains shine
through. And it’s not just high-quality and superior design that sets them
apart, they ensure that their leather can be loved and cherished with a “clean
conscience”. Zeshan explains, “Over
the years, leather has evolved into the ultimate luxury and fashion statement.
But it has to be nurtured with a conscience. We ensure that a majority of our
high-quality leather is imported from ‘Green’ factories - those that have
adopted European norms of chemical effluent treatment, and also that no child
labour is employed in the creation of our products. Additionally, we work with
real leather which is bio-degradable unlike faux leather, which is a petroleum-based
product.”
For sommeliers and connoisseurs alike, this wine-bottle holder will hold equally good for evening’s-out, picnics and long road-trips (provided the drinker is not driving!).
In vintage olive-green leather, this wing-backed Chesterfield finds its inspiration in early 18th century England. Replete with large brass tacks and a contrast Ottoman, it is as much a beauty to behold as it is a comfort to rest on.
Expanding
from jackets and accessories, TLB recently launched its range of leather-based
furniture. Sofas, reading chairs, trunks, bar tables, high-stools and camping
chairs, all come either detailed or finished in leather with a touch of
timeless gravitas rendered to each.
Rs. 450
upwards, they retail from their store as well as their website. Check out their facebook page for more information.