Sara Battiston is the Co-Founder and Director of The London Leather Workshop, an artisan studio and training centre dedicated to bag-making and leather crafts. Our Meet the Maker series spotlights members of the global leather industry, showcasing the people working with leather on the day-to-day.
Tell us more about The London Leather Workshop
“We work closely with accessory brands and designers, offering tailored support at every stage, from design and development to prototyping and manufacturing. Whether someone is starting or already established, we help turn ideas into finished products.
But it is not just about industry services for us. We love sharing what we know and helping new makers find their feet. Through professional courses, beginner workshops, and bespoke training, we give creatives the skills and confidence to bring their ideas to life or launch their own brand. Seeing people grow in this field is what drives us.”
Tell us about your career and study background
“I studied accessory design and pattern development in Rome, and I also have a degree in fashion marketing and economics. Alongside my formal education, I have had professional training in bag making in Milan, traditional leathercraft skills in Florence, and traditional-style leatherwork in the UK.
Before opening my studio, I spent over ten years working in the fashion and accessory industry as a machinist, pattern maker and designer of clothing and accessories. This combination of hands-on experience and formal training, along with my love for this craft, shapes everything I do today.”
What inspired you to set up your business?
“I wanted to create something of my own where I could draw on all the skills and experience I had built up over the years working in different roles in the industry. I also noticed there weren’t many places where startups and emerging designers could get the tailored support they needed, so I set out to fill that gap.
Initially, I focused exclusively on providing services for brands, but after receiving numerous requests, I decided to begin offering training as well. I wanted to empower others to develop their skills, gain the confidence to bring their ideas to life, and help them embark on their own journey in this industry.”
Tell us who buys your products and services
“Our clients vary widely, both in terms of products and business size. For our services, we work with everything from established brands to startups. What they all share is a real appreciation for high-quality, sustainable UK craftsmanship.
In our training, we work with individuals at all levels, from professionals looking to refine their skills to beginners just starting out in the craft. Wherever they are in their journey, we are here to help them grow and learn.”
What is it about leather that you love?
“Leather is a material that offers endless potential. It’s not just beautiful and durable; it actually can improve with age and use. I also love that it’s a byproduct and completely circular: if something wears out, it can be repaired, repurposed or recycled, making it highly sustainable. There is a perfect balance of performance and aesthetics, and it just feels amazing to touch and work with.”
What are some challenges facing the leather industry? How can we address them?
“There are definitely challenges in the leather industry, especially when it comes to misconceptions about its sustainability. Many people still believe that cows are killed solely for leather or that the tannery industry is as polluting as it once was. While there is still much to be done, significant progress has already been made. Additionally, there is a shortage of skilled professionals who can share their expertise and knowledge with the wider public in a clear and understandable way.
One way to tackle these issues is through education, such as the work you are doing at Leather Naturally. I think you are doing a fantastic job of creating accessible and informative materials that help everyone better understand the material and the industry.”
How are you developing your business this year?
“As our business grows, we are bringing on more staff, which means we can now take on larger production orders while maintaining the same high-quality standards. We have also been listening closely to feedback from our clients, and as a result, we are expanding our training offerings. We are rolling out longer courses and masterclasses to provide even more in-depth learning opportunities.
In addition, we have been focusing on growing our supply shop. Now that we have been open for a year, we are expanding our stock based on client feedback, ensuring we offer exactly what makers and designers need.”
What’s your top selling product?
“We don’t have just one top-selling product, as we see equal demand for both our services and our training. We focus on maintaining a balance, ensuring that both the services we provide for brands and our educational offerings are key to our business.
The two sides are equally important because education helps to develop skilled professionals who will sustain and innovate within the industry, while our services for brands support businesses in creating quality products. By nurturing both, we are proud to play a part in the growth of our industry.”
Who do you admire in the leather industry?
“From the material point of view, I greatly admire the work of British Pasture Leather. It is the first company in the UK to produce leather exclusively from cattle raised on certified regenerative farms. Their leather is tanned in traditional vegetable-tanned tanneries in the UK, further enhancing its sustainability credentials.
This approach supports the environment, animals and local communities, and through their traceable supply chain, designers and consumers can fully understand the origins and journey of the leather.
British Pasture Leather is a perfect example of how traditional craftsmanship can align with modern sustainability goals, inspiring a renewed appreciation for leather in design and fashion. From a craft perspective, I admire leather craftsman Nigel Armitage, not only for his exceptional skills but also for his commitment and dedication to the craft. He carries tradition forward while maintaining an innovative mindset, and is eager to share his knowledge out of a great passion for the craft.”
What is one misconception about leather you want to challenge?
“If I had to pick just one, it would be the idea that leather is an unsustainable or unethical material. Leather is a byproduct of the meat and dairy industries, if we did not use it, it would likely end up as waste. In contrast, many alternative materials are made with plastic-based coatings that are neither biodegradable nor truly sustainable. I’m not against alternative materials per se, but the idea of sustainability is still too surface-level for many, and that mindset really needs to change.
There is also a lack of awareness around responsible leather production. Not all leather is the same, there is a huge difference between mass-produced leather with little traceability and responsibly sourced leather from tanneries that meet high environmental standards. More people need to understand this distinction to make choices based on the full picture rather than misleading marketing claims.
Promoting traceability, highlighting sustainable practices, and educating people about the full lifecycle of leather are all crucial steps in changing perceptions. Sustainability is not just about materials; it is about longevity, repairability and responsible sourcing, and leather, when done right, ticks all those boxes.”
Find out more
See more about The London Leather Workshop by visiting the links below