Merino leather comes to market
Merino wool supplier New Zealand Merino has been working on how to make use of the skin of merino sheep. While merino skins have historically been regarded as useless, New Zealand Light Leathers managing director Neil Dickson believes there is “real potential” that as yet has been left untapped.
New Zealand Light Leathers, which is based at Washdyke in South Canterbury, was established in 1974, initially processing the South Island lamb kill. In 2004, operations were restructured to concentrate on deerskin and it claims to be the world's largest supplier of deer leather from New Zealand farmed deer.
It works with luxury brands such as Coach, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada and Ralph Lauren. Merino skin was challenging to work with but it had a wonderful natural texture, Mr Dickson said.
The first New Zealand merino-skin handbags have been created by New Zealand designer Deadly Ponies.
