Vintage Vs Modern Lambskin

What happened!?

In these two microscopic images of lambskin leather—one from 1994 and the other from 2024—the stark contrast is striking. Over just 20 years, the quality of the leather has changed dramatically. But what happened in that time to cause such a shift?

Today, many people buy luxury goods as status symbols rather than for their superior craftsmanship. As a result, luxury brands have adapted. If customers continue purchasing despite noticeable declines in quality, there’s little incentive for these brands to return to their previous standards. The consumer now sets the bar: demand for a brand name often outweighs demand for craftsmanship.

1992 LAMBSKIN

Over the past 20 years, the leather used in luxury goods has deteriorated in quality because the focus has shifted from artisanal creation to fast, mass production and maximizing profits. Vintage leather often came from lambs raised in traditional farming systems, where animals matured at a natural pace, lived in open environments, and had nutrient-rich diets. This resulted in hides that were resilient, durable, and full of life!

2014 LAMBSKIN

In contrast, modern farming practices prioritize efficiency. Lambs are frequently bred for rapid growth, often fed hormone-rich diets, and raised in industrialized environments that don’t allow for natural maturation. These conditions produce hides that are thinner, less robust, and lacking the depth of character that older leathers possess. The lambs never have the chance to develop fully.

2023 LAMBSKIN

It’s a shift that’s not just limited to the leather industry, but perhaps a reflection of larger societal changes. Much like these lambs, many of us now face pressures to grow, adapt, and produce quickly in an increasingly industrialized world. The question is, how much of our own quality are we sacrificing in the process? I think we all know the answer…