Our Story

Straits Leather began from a simple observation — leathercraft in Singapore often felt harder to get into than it should be.

Good and affordable materials were difficult to access, tools were expensive to try, and much of the knowledge around the craft felt scattered or intimidating for beginners. At the same time, we saw a growing number of people becoming curious about making things by hand again — looking for something slower, more tactile, and more personal in an increasingly digital world.

Straits Leather was created to lower that barrier.

What started as a small effort to source and share materials gradually grew into a space centered around leathercraft, material exploration, and community. We began bringing in leathers, tools, and objects that we personally believed in — materials with character, honest construction, and stories worth sharing. From vegetable-tanned leathers from Italy to experimental Japanese leathers tanned with recycled matcha, we’ve always been drawn to materials that feel thoughtful and alive.

The name “Straits Leather” comes from the Singapore Straits — historically a point of connection, exchange, and movement between different cultures and crafts. That idea continues to shape how we see the space today: not just as a store, but as a place where makers, hobbyists, and curious beginners can discover, learn, and share.

Whether someone is picking up leathercraft for the first time or has been making for years, we hope Straits Leather becomes a place that supports the journey of making by hand.