Each job and indeed each piece requires a different characteristic of leather, and Amberg works with six different tanneries all over the world, specialising in certain looks or feels. ‘Leather is a by-product of the food industry, so the variations in material is actually based on what that country eats,’ describes Amberg. ‘So, the UK consume a lot of beef so we get heavier leather from our tanneries here. The French have veal in their diet so calf skins come from there and goat skin comes from further afield in Europe.’
Once a bespoke commission takes place Amberg says it is vital for clients to receive a swatch, and ideally to see the whole hide of the leather they may want to use in their interiors, as no hide is ever the same. The team will often provide upholstered panels to give them an idea of the finished look, particularly for floors and walls. ‘It is a process we greatly enjoy, one of our most craziest commissions was a white pearlised leather ‘thunderbox’ we created for a home. And then there was an entire gym set a client required to be in bespoke leather, which involved dismantling all the equipment and rebuilding the upholstered version. But I always say, the most exciting commission is always the next one.’
Bill Amberg Studio – www.billambergstudio.com