Sustainability at esPattio: The skin of Ubrique

The Seville-based brand, esPattio, has been incorporating leather from Ubrique into its designs. The handles of Brisa and Platero are examples of how the brand is beginning to utilise this prestigious handcrafted finish on their products.

The leather from Ubrique is the most sought-after leather product in our country, and the bags of some of the most prominent luxury brands in the world are even produced in this small town in the mountains of Cádiz.

How are these finishes manufactured? What is the key to producing these trimmings? Thanks to Villagrán Leather, a partner company in Ubrique, it is possible to learn about the entire artisan production process and gain insight into the secrets of this centuries-old leatherwork technique.

Villagrán Leather, craftsmanship and quality that stays in the family

Villagrán Leather is a company that has been a symbol of leather craftsmanship in Ubrique since 1991. Two of the partners were Enrique and Juan Villagrán, two brothers whose surnames eventually gave their name to a company that was born as a cooperative. As is customary in Ubrique, techniques and know-how are passed down from generation to generation, and today Melani, Juan Villagrán’s daughter, runs this family business.

Specialists in small leather goods, Villagrán Leather has been making suitcases, jewellery boxes, wallets, cigarette cases and all kinds of small leather goods for over three decades. Its handcrafted production, using almost exclusively manual skills, has made Villagrán Leather a highly valued company in its sector.

Thanks to the craftsmanship with which the handles and trimmings are made, esPattio’s products, which you can find in the following catalogue, obtain an added value of quality.

In this production, millenary tools such as the ‘patacabra‘ are used. Using them in the same way as their parents and grandparents did makes Villagrán Leather the perfect partner for a brand like Pattio. In this way, it is possible to internationalise products, finishes and colours with its own productions, with the characteristics of the South.

What makes Ubrique leather different?

As Melani Villagrán explained to the esPattio team that visited the town, the leather from Ubrique is the result of the work that professional craftsmen do on hides and leather. This is known as the leatherwork profession.

It is one of the most prestigious leather finishes in the world, and Ubrique is the production centre for some of the biggest luxury brands.

The leather itself is mainly imported from Igualada and Elche, and is of the highest quality, avoiding the use of toxic products. What makes it ‘Piel de Ubrique’ is the hand of the craftsman. There are techniques that require the ability to work with the hands, a lot of skill, a lot of dexterity… Although we have some machines that facilitate the process, the work by hand is still very important. The craftsman is the one who knows how to line up the pieces, how to construct them so that they are perfect, how to make the seams that are so important, how to know the finishes…’ Melani explains.

Ubrique leather also stands out from other materials in terms of sustainability. Because it is more durable and can even be treated with certain creams, Ubrique leather products, such as a handbag, can last more than half a century in good condition, while plastic bags would start to wear out before three years. This longevity, so sought after by consumers, is what makes Ubrique leather a totally different material in the sector.

How are our leather handles made?

Al ser piezas consideradas de pequeña marroquinería, las asas usadas en productos de esPattio no son problema para la excelencia de Villagrán Leather, que en poco tiempo producen asas de máxima calidad, belleza y fiabilidad.

El proceso, totalmente artesanal, comprende etapas de cortado, separación, costura o pintado entre otras, dando lugar a las piezas que posteriormente se cosen a los diseños para llenar de movilidad y estética a Platero, Brisa o Amivera.

En el siguiente vídeo se puede ver el proceso de producción del asa utilizada en el puf clásico Platero:

Considered small leather goods, the handles used in esPattio products are no problem for the excellence of Villagrán Leather, which produces handles of the highest quality, beauty and reliability in a short time.

The process, which is entirely handmade, includes steps such as cutting, separating, sewing or painting, to produce the pieces that are later sewn to the designs to fill Platero, Brisa or Amivera with mobility and aesthetics.

In the video below you can see how the handle of the classic Platero pouf is made:

Sustainability and Ubrique Skin

One of Grupo Forma 5’s main concerns is its sustainability project. Concerned about the environmental impact of its production, Grupo Forma 5 is working to improve waste management, reuse of waste and innovation with sustainable materials.

This commitment is shared by Villagrán Leather, which looks for ways to reduce its waste and tries to find a use for those kilos of leather that, when they arrive with wrinkles or defects, cannot be used to make saleable products. For this reason, Villagrán Leather uses part of this waste, the most usable part, to make key rings or other items that require little work and can be used as gifts or samples.

The future of esPattio with Ubrique leather

esPattio will continue to focus on Ubrique leather details, internationalising the brand from the south through one of the most prestigious materials in the world of international fashion.

One of esPattio’s latest launches, the Platero pouf, has the option of incorporating an Ubrique leather handle to facilitate its mobility.

Ubrique leather will also be on display in the renovated showroom in Barcelona, where visitors will be able to see the leathers Villagrán Leather works with, the hand tools they use and the finished product during this year’s parallel event to the international Orgatec trade fair.

Would you like to visit our showroom in Barcelona? Call this number to book your visit and see all the designs and products from Forma 5 and esPattio first hand. We look forward to seeing you!