Loewe to release hand-illustrated book
Spanish leather company Loewe is to launch a new book, The Masters of Leather, illustrated by art director and illustrator Robert Clarke.
Mr Clarke’s illustrations will also feature in the window displays of Loewe outlets, and he has created an installation telling the Loewe story across 13 windows of the Tokyo-based department store Isetan.
As part of the project, Mr Clarke researched the Loewe craftsmanship by taking in the history of the brand in its native Madrid. The illustrator visited Loewe artisans and ateliers, before moving on to Barcelona to see the leather being treated in the tannery.
“The splendid and regal city of Madrid and the genuine warmth of the Loewe company made me feel so welcome,” said Mr Clarke. “Seeing the quality of the work at Loewe was such an eye-opener.”
All the words and illustrations in the book are created by hand. Carefully documenting his travels and research, the faces in the book are those of the craftsmen he met along the way, and the colours are those typical of Loewe goods.
“Their colour and style is so quintessentially Spanish that the book was inspired by Miro, Picasso and the colours of Spain, and there’s a hint of Tapies in there too for good measure,” said Mr Clarke.
The Masters of Leather will be available from mid-September from all Loewe stores.
