Is Kate Spade Real Leather?
Kate Spade, a brand synonymous with modern elegance and style, offers a wide range of leather accessories that have captured the hearts of fashion enthusiasts. A common question that often arises is whether Kate Spade’s leather products are made of real leather. This article aims to provide insights into the authenticity and craftsmanship of Kate Spade’s leather items, shedding light on whether they are indeed crafted from genuine leather.
Whether you want a luxurious handbag made from genuine leather or you’re looking for a more ethical alternative, the material that a handbag is made out of is extremely important.
It’s the second important factor after the price of the handbag for many shoppers. This is even more important if the brand is a luxury. Fortunately, brands like Kate Spade, Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs, etc., use high-quality materials in their items.
For all of these brands, leather is a staple material to use. And most customers have come to expect that.
If you’re wondering whether or not luxury handbag brand Kate Spade uses real leather, the short answer is yes.
For a breakdown of the materials used to make Kate Spade handbags, both genuine leather and leather alternatives, keep reading this article.
You’ll learn why Kate Spade uses leather and what the brand is doing to ensure its products are environmentally safe.
Does Kate Spade Use Real Leather?
The majority of Kate Spade products have, in fact, been crafted using real leather. Even if the main part of the handbag or purse is not made out of leather, the handle or trim is generally made of leather.
To live up to a high standard of quality and luxury, the Kate Spade brand uses a type of leather called Saffiano leather. It’s a textured leather with a cross-hatch finish achieved by treating the leather with a specialized stamping machine and finishing with a wax treatment.
Saffiano leather is durable, water-resistant, scratch-proof, and easy-to-clean leather. Other luxury brands of the same caliber, such as Michael Kors, Prada, and Coach, also use this type of leather.
Another type of leather that is frequently used in the making of Kate Spade handbags is suede. It is derived from the underside of the animal skin, usually from lamb, deer, pig, or goat.
Suede is a soft, fuzzy leather that is comparatively more gentle to the touch than traditional leather.
Other types of leather that are used in the making of Kate Spade bags include pebble leather, Italian leather, and crocodile-embossed leather.
The leather that the Kate Spade brand uses in their handbags is usually sourced from Asia and Italy. Other animal-derived materials that Kate Spade bags are sometimes made from that are not leather include wool and tweed.
Kate Spade’s Leather Products: Authenticity Unveiled
Commitment to Quality
Kate Spade is known for its commitment to quality and craftsmanship, which extends to its leather products.
Genuine Leather Offerings
The brand offers a selection of leather handbags, wallets, and accessories, with a focus on using genuine leather in its creations.
Types of Leather Used by Kate Spade
Cowhide Leather
Kate Spade often utilizes cowhide leather, prized for its durability, texture, and versatility in creating various styles.
Saffiano Leather
The brand is recognized for its use of saffiano leather, known for its crosshatch texture and resistance to scratches and wear.
Other Varieties
Kate Spade may also incorporate other types of leather, such as lambskin or pebbled leather, depending on the design and collection.
Craftsmanship and Design
Attention to Detail
Kate Spade’s leather products showcase meticulous attention to detail, from stitching to hardware, ensuring a high-quality finish.
Signature Aesthetics
The brand’s design aesthetics are reflected in its leather products, often incorporating playful elements and iconic features.
Why Does Kate Spade Use Leather?
Nearly all the high-end brands use leather in their handbags. It could be real leather or man-made, depending on the brand.
Kate Spade isn’t different. Most of the brands using leather in their bags, including Kate Spade, are not cruelty-free or vegan.
This means that a lot of these options will be out for you if you’re trying to buy one that isn’t made from leather.
Fortunately, many of these brands are working towards adding a sizeable number of bags that aren’t designed with animal skin. There are also a lot of brands that don’t use direct animal hide. Only that they’re far and in between.
Are There Vegan-Friendly Options?
Keeping up with the times and listening to the wants and needs of their customers, the Kate Spade brand has become increasingly more ethical and animal-friendly over the years.
They have stopped using real fur in any of their products and now have vegan handbag and purse options.
Some of their handbags are completely leather-free, whether vegan or non-vegan, and made with materials such as canvas, wicker, cork, nylon, and straw.
For those who still want the sumptuous look of a leather handbag but prefer to shop ethically and cruelty-free, Kate Spade offers vegan leather handbags.
Some of the brand’s handbags use the materials polyurethane or PVC, which is short for polyvinyl chloride.
Although the Kate Spade brand does not label these products as vegan, since there are no animal products used in these bags, they can be considered vegan.
FAQs About Kate Spade’s Leather Products
Are Kate Spade’s leather products made of real leather?
Yes, Kate Spade’s leather products are crafted from genuine leather, with a focus on quality and authenticity.
What is saffiano leather?
Saffiano leather is a textured leather known for its crosshatch pattern and resistance to scratches, often used by luxury brands.
Is cowhide leather durable?
Yes, cowhide leather is valued for its durability, making it suitable for creating long-lasting accessories.
Do Kate Spade leather products require special care?
Yes, Kate Spade recommends following care instructions to ensure the longevity and beauty of its leather products.
How can I identify genuine Kate Spade leather products?
Genuine Kate Spade leather products often feature quality craftsmanship, signature hardware, and the brand’s logo.
The Takeaway
The luxury handbag brand Kate Spade offers a wide range of both high-quality real leather and high-quality vegan leather options for their handbags. As well as handbags that were made from other materials entirely.
However, although the brand offers vegan alternatives, if you do not wish to support companies that use animal products at all, Kate Spade is not the brand for you.
