Our Leather
Full-Grain. Gold-Rated. Made to Last.
Every Elevate bag begins with premium, full-grain leather—ethically sourced, naturally beautiful, and crafted to stand the test of time. Our leathers are tanned at a Gold-Rated tannery for sustainability and quality, then brought to life by skilled artisans in India who are empowered through fair wages and dignified work.
The result? A piece that’s more than luxury—it’s legacy.
leather as real as you
At Elevate, we use only premium full-grain leather—the highest quality in the world. It’s strong, durable, and made to last for decades.
We don’t cut corners—literally. Each bag is crafted from hides left completely intact—never sanded or coated—so every natural grain and marking remains. The result is leather with unmatched character that softens and develops a rich patina over time.
Our leathers are naturally tanned and chemical-free, free of harsh substances like chromium, creating a cleaner, more sustainable finish that’s safer for people, the planet, and built to last.
Because of our standards, we’ve partnered with Shee Shen Tannery in Kolkata, India—an LWG Gold-rated tannery recognized for its ethical labor and environmental excellence.
WHAT DOES A LWG GOLD-RATING MEAN?
Our leathers are tanned at Shee Shen Tannery in Kolkata, India—a Gold-rated tannery certified by the Leather Working Group (LWG). This global certification represents the highest standard of sustainability and responsibility in leather production.
Standards cover various aspects of the leather production process, including:
Environmental Management
How the tannery manages its environmental responsibilities, including waste, water, & chemicals.
Energy Consumption
Efficiency and reduction of energy use within the tannery.
Water Usage
The efficient use & treatment of water, reducing water consumption & proper treatment of wastewater.
Emissions and Discharges
Control and reduce air emissions and effluents released into the environment.
Traceability and Sourcing
Ensuring traceability of raw materials & sourcing from responsible suppliers.
Social Responsibility
Adherence to social standards and ethical labor practices.
Achieving a Gold rating means the tannery has demonstrated excellence across these criteria, reflecting a commitment to environmental stewardship, sustainability, and ethics.
Two Leathers. One Standard of Excellence.
Whether you prefer the structured strength of our classic leather or the buttery-smooth feel of our new soft leather, every piece begins with full-grain hides sourced from our LWG Gold-rated Shee Shen Tannery.
Both are naturally tanned, ethically made, and crafted to stand the test of time—just two expressions of the same enduring craftsmanship.
Classic leather
Our Classic Leather is where the Elevate story began. Crafted from the highest quality full-grain hides, this vegetable-tanned leather is rich in character and made to age beautifully. Naturally tanned with organic plant materials, it carries that timeless structure and strength you expect from true leather—no harsh chemicals, no surface corrections, and no shortcuts. Over time, it softens and deepens in tone, developing a rich patina that tells the story of every journey it’s carried. Built to last, built to evolve—this is leather in its purest form.
soft leather
Our Soft Leather brings a new dimension to full-grain craftsmanship. Still premium. Still ethically sourced. Still handcrafted by the same artisans who make every Elevate piece. But this leather is naturally tanned without chromium, giving it a buttery-smooth feel and relaxed drape that’s as gentle as it is durable. Its finish is refined and modern—offering a soft, flexible texture that molds effortlessly to everyday life while maintaining the same lasting integrity you know and love from Elevate. Different in feel, identical in purpose.
Crafted with Purpose
Every Elevate bag is handcrafted by the artisans of Tecsoe, our partner workshop in India. But this isn’t just a production facility—it’s a story of empowerment.
Tecsoe was founded by local entrepreneurs we helped equip and empower to start their own business. The artisans set their own fair wages, work in safe conditions, and receive rare benefits such as healthcare, retirement plans, and end-of-year bonuses.
When you carry Elevate, you carry more than a bag.
You carry a legacy of craftsmanship, sustainability, and empowerment—stitched into every piece of leather, made to stand the test of time.
Blog posts
The Soft Side of Elevate: Introducing Our New Leather Colors and Styles
We’ve grown, we’ve listened—to our community, to trends, and to the changing world of ethical fashion. We’ve heard your love for our quality, your appreciation for our mission, and your desire for ...
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The Heart of Every Bag: Our Leather
At Elevate, every bag begins with the world’s highest quality full-grain leather—but the real story starts with people. From our gold-rated tannery partners to the empowered artisans at Tecsoe in I...
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Why Where You Shop Matters: The Ripple Effect of Ethical Purchasing
Where you shop isn’t just a personal choice—it’s part of a bigger picture. Every wallet, bag, or candle you buy shows what kind of world you want to support. When you choose ethical brands like Ele...
Read moreleather as real as you.
All About Unique Markings
Our high-quality, full-grain leather has not been buffed out or corrected in the tanning process. You will see tick marks because the hide was left at its highest integrity. This is also normal. It’s all part of the animals' story. We think it adds character to each Elevate bag.
You might also notice stretch marks on the leather. These are natural and occur because the hide was left in its most authentic state. These marks add unique character to every Elevate bag.
Our camel leather can arrive with light scratches. Due to the open finish and no PU finish, this is perfectly normal and part of each bag's beauty and character. These can be buffed out using a leather conditioner. We recommend Chamberlains Leathermilk products.