Ubrique Skin in Spain
Country of the crafting: Spain
Region of the crafting: Andalucia
Town of the crafting: Cádiz
Type of the crafting: Fur and skin
1. Geographic Area
Juan Luis Casillas, craftsman from Ubrique (Cádiz), was the first leather worker to receive the Artisan Master’s Letter from the Andalusian Government in 2012.
2. Craft characteristics
The skin was tanned using water and lime as fundamental elements. the Saracens introduced alum and salt as tanning agents to give the skin more consistency and duration.
3. The techinques
Advanced already in the 19th century, the Industrial Revolution offered the possibility of treating the skin and leather with other technique s that made it considerably accelerate the process. However, in Ubrique they were unsuccessful given that it was preferred to continue with the usual processes even though they involved a greater cost and investment due to the manufacturing time.
4. Materials used
They are manufactured with top quality noble materials.
Uses vegetable tanned skins, 100% recycled regenerated leather, natural leather, leatherette and canvas.
5. History
He has worked in his workshop for decades. He started working in this trade when he was 14 years old and started his own business at age 21. For Juan Luis Casillas, working with leather is much more than a job: it represents the idiosyncrasy, culture and history of the town where he was born.
Therefore, beyond the economic aspects, try to teach the secrets of this trade to the next generations, so that it does not disappear.
Casillas Piel designs are highly valued outside Spain, where they sell 90% of their production.
