pampeano was created after our founder, Jenny, discovered the impeccable skills of the leather craftsman whilst travelling across South America on a work sabbatical. It was her idea to bring exquisite, pampeano designed, Argentine leather goods to Europe, and celebrate the traditions and skills of the talented artisans she was fortunate enough to meet.
The letter p of pampeano is intentionally lower case; informal, relaxed, no pomposity. back to slow; away from the city rush and everything we create is a no to fast fashion. pampeano proudly specialises in handcrafted leather goods crafted by hand, to last.
Our signature belts are globally renowned and spawn many imitators – none quite hitting the mark but flattering nonetheless. Inspired by the vibrant colours and rich culture of the Argentine Pampas, pampeano products combine traditional craftsmanship with relaxed stylish living. Each piece is carefully made by artisans using premium materials, such as vegetable-tanned cow leather and wax dipped saddlery threads. Our smaller leather goods – from wallets to handbags to laptop cases are all suede lined in baby blue (‘celeste bb’) to celebrate the blue of the South American sky and unifying with our logo.
Commitment to quality
pampeano is one of the few luxury brands that still places quality and traditional craftsmanship at its heart. From our iconic luxury leather pampeano belts, renowned worldwide, to our evergreen collections that stand the test of time, our Pampa diamond stands as a trusted seal of quality for customers across the globe.
Artisan handcraft
pampeano’s master artisans bring generations of expertise to each product, handcrafting every piece with meticulous care. Using the finest wax-dipped saddlery threads, they follow a time-honoured stitching technique passed down through generations. Each belt can take up to five hours to complete; a typical belt requires up to 50 metres of thread; a travel bag strap 30 metres; a small diamond logo on a washbag a full metre.
Born from tradition
pampeano’s leather has always and only been vegetable-tanned, a process that may have been around for 5000 years and the fundamental principles remain unchanged. Although modern, faster tanning methods (like chrome tanning) were developed in the 19th century, vegetable tanning has persisted due to its eco-friendly nature and the unique qualities it imparts to leather.
why vegetable tanned leather?
Since inception, pampeano has only used Vegetable Tanned (VT) leather. Vegetable tanning is a labour-intensive and slow process, but it produces a leather that is unique, natural, and durable, prized for its beautiful aging and eco-friendly properties.
environmentally friendly: unlike chrome tanning, vegetable tanning uses natural plant materials, such as tree bark (eg oak, chestnut) and leaves, which are extracted using hot water. VT leather is long-lasting and durable: The process results in a thicker, sturdier leather that ages beautifully over time, developing a rich patina – and if not polished, a covetable ‘bashed and scratched’ look. natural look and feel: VT leather retains a natural, earthy appearance and smell, much appreciated by the craftsmen who work with it and consumers who use it. time intensive: because it takes longer than chemical based tanning methods, it is often seen as a mark of premium quality.
Using the vegetable tanning process undoubtedly creates a higher quality of product, from the aesthetic finish to the quality of the leather itself. It also creates a product which is aromatic and there’s no better, richer, smell than the fresh, natural aroma of vegetable tanned leather. pampeano’s customers are delighted with their products on receipt; and many years later in conversations with our team members, customers will reveal with pride how long they have had their pampeano product.
Design and vibrancy
The iconic Pampa Diamonds feature a traditional Aztec motif, drawing inspiration
from the majestic peaks and valleys of the ancient Andes Mountain range. The striking stitching is meticulously hand-woven with a robust, wax-dipped thread, originally designed for saddlery. This wax coating not only facilitates smooth passage through the leather during hand-stitching but also enhances the durability of the thread while preserving its vibrant colour and appearance.
The making of a pampeano belt