Working with leather inevitably comes with ethical and emotional complexities. That’s why, as a leather designer, Emma Werkhoven decided to take matters into her own hands.
Guided by a Swedish hunter and local tannery, she chose to take responsibility for the life behind the material. Taking care of every step in the process, from hunting and skinning a wild boar, to leather tanning and design.
The following objects translate the story of the material. The hardware, inspired by the bullets, is engraved with a unique serial number. This connects to a leather passport. Documenting every detail of the process and providing transparency about the material. Encouraging the user to form a mindful connection with the story of the material.
In the Netherlands, wild boar is often hunted for population control. Though the meat mostly gets used, the skins are rarely used. By reintroducing the veg-tanning process in the Netherlands on a small scale, starting with wild boar skins from hunters, Emma is hoping to bring more awareness to sustainable tanning methods and a mindful approach to using leather.
Because a big part of this project is rooted in sharing information and education, she wrote the book “The Weight of the Hide” and offers lectures on the topic.
