Sustainability Sustainability


The untold story of repair in the


n the discussion about circularity and sustainability, recycling and other topics get lots of attention – not so much the repair of articles.


However, as the leather industry urges consumers to buy quality, not quantity, the investment into longer- life products carries with it the assumption of repair and maintenance. Not all materials are well suited for refurbishment, but leather is ideal thanks to its flexibility and durability.


“Repair is one of the greatest recycling stories that


hasn’t been told,” says Stephen Kelly, co-founder and CEO of Texas-based Cobblers Direct. The company is a spin-off of the Shoe Hospital group of companies


8


As consumers pivot towards sustainability, the leather repair industry emerges as an unsung hero, championing circularity and giving luxury goods a second life. Vera Dordick reports.


age of sustainability I


– the largest shoe repair company in the world – that dates back to 1906. Business last year was the biggest ever for the group. “People are realising that wastefulness is not the way to be anymore,” Kelly says.


A booming trend


Some of the push towards the repair of footwear, bags and leather goods comes from consumer desire, but also from increasing regulations about the disposal of fashion items. Recently, France announced government-funded discounts from €7.00 for citizens to repair footwear rather than throwing the shoes away and buying new ones.


Leather International / www.leathermag.com


Grishin Vasily/Shutterstock.com


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29