Patina as an unspoken given
In his latest ILM column, Mike Redwood discusses the notion of patina in leather - something that was once a given. Read More...
Business insights for the global leather community
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Africa’s leather industry: Potential and paradox
Mike Redwood shares insight for May/June 2026 of ILM. In it, he discusses the scale of the African continent, which he says remains predominantly at the commodity end of the leather value chain. Read More...
Leather as radical resistance to a dematerialised world
In his latest ILM column, Mike Redwood discusses the marketing of leather and its unique selling points which offer tangible connection - a radical, counter-cultural movement in an increasingly “dematerialised world". Read More...
The meaning of things
Throughout the year, ILM columnist Mike Redwood has been vocal about the craft of leather and the value of stewardship. Here, he makes clear that these ideals can be achieved without opposing globalisation and industrial growth. Read More...
The not so zombie company
In his latest ILM column, Mike Redwood revisits the term “zombie company” and its relevance to the leather industry, commenting on the idea of a family business, stewardship and the motivation behind generational preservation. Read More...
What’s in a name?
In the May/June 2026 issue of ILM, Editor Megan Thomas reflects on the value of protecting leather not just as a concept, but as a biological material definition. Read More...
Gastronomic dominance but biocultural decline
In his latest ILM column, Mike Redwood compares the stewardship of Basque culture with how skilled leather makers can survive if they connect with heritage, tourism, conservation, cultural identity and luxury markets. Read More...
Marketing crash and burn
In his latest ILM column, Mike Redwood discusses the bridge that exists between the tannery and the market. What makes leather succeed, and how can we continue to achieve this through marketing and strategy? Read More...
Let’s have some new stories
Mike Redwood shares insight for March/April 2026 of ILM. In it, he discusses the stories that are told, repeated and distributed in the leather industry and how a refresh is required in order to communicate leather's true value. Read More...
Meritocracy and a regulatory near miss
In his latest ILM comment, Mike Redwood unpacks the EUDR decision to remove leather from its scope alongside the concept of technocracy. Read More...
