Diamonds spark entrepreneur’s love of exotic leather
17/12/2018
Mr Okoronkwo launched his leathergoods brand, Laurus, in 2016 and has set up production and a showroom in Milan, but his route into leathergoods was unusual.
Having worked as a trader in London and Los Angeles, he enrolled with the Diamond High Council (HRD) in Antwerp for training in diamonds and other precious minerals. This sparked an interest in supplying exotic leather to high-end fashion brands in Italy and, in time, in launching Laurus.
The brand’s bags make extensive use of crocodile and ostrich leather and are all handmade in Italy. They are available to online shoppers worldwide, but Mr Okoronkwo announced at the end of 2018 that plans are now in place for a UK stockist to sell Laurus bags in stores there.
“Laurus’s deep commitment to craftsmanship is what sets the brand apart,” Mr Okoronkwo has said. “A single artisan can take between 22 to 24 hours to complete the job by hand. This is why our pieces are prized for their artistry and authenticity.”
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