Leather Quality

The leather is processed from the time it is harvested to the time the garment is sewn. The hides reach the Riba Guixà warehouse in ‘wet blue’, the optimal state to begin working them. First they are classified, because even though all lambs are the same, their hides have different features. According to the hides’ features it is decided what kind of product they would be useful for and what quality can be offered. Then the hides are gathered, rinsed and prepared to be dyed. They are dyed inside vats that mix colours and perform a series of chemical processes. Once this step is completed, they have to be dried. Then, they enter machines that shrink them, remove the dust, stretch them, polish them and soften the leather. This is obviously not a uniform procedure because each client determines the product that they want made and what quality and finishes they need.

Then comes one of the most important steps: pigmentation. All the leathers are treated in the four pigmentation booths at the leather tanner’s. The previous dyeing is just a background, but this machine helps to perfect the colour, which has previously been mixed by the lab workers. The mix is shot out through pistols that cover the entire surface of the leather, which is later dried through heated panels. The skins are coloured and dried three times until the desired shine, finish and amount of fat are attained.

Afterwards, the leather can be given even greater shine or can be stretched to become more open. Once this is completed, it is ironed, the flaws are reviewed and it is measured and packaged. And now everything is ready for Solsona to craft its garments and accessories