Process: Suede Cutting

Our new Suede Overshirt is a lightweight, fluid piece, offered completely unlined. To create it, we had to work with an ultra-thin suede, specially backed with a paper film so the inside of the garment is smooth and easy to layer. Cutting leather is uniquely challenging, but with this material innovation comes added layers of complication and potential for error. It’s only possible to do it with seasoned craftspeople.

This is Franco. He’s a true craftsman who grew up working leather by hand and now brings over 50 years of experience to the cutting table. Since each skin uniquely takes the dye, Franco’s trained eye first carefully selects each piece and maps the pattern accordingly to ensure all of the elements of the jacket seamlessly match in color. Suede is cut with a single blade rather than scissors, requiring a unique touch and precise technique that took Franco decades to develop. As he cuts, he intuitively adapts his blade to the varying thickness of the skins. Franco’s ability also reduces waste, ingeniously utilizing imperfect sections of the skin that a digital machine would render useless.

In short, Franco is a boss, and he’s part of a team of craftspeople whose deliberate rhythm, sharp focus and seasoned talent make Stòffa possible.

See the results of their work in our Suede Overshirt here