The Art of
Leather.
Our Story.
Nearly four decades of precision craft, human hands, and an unwavering commitment to leather that outlasts everything else.
Our Heritage
Where Tradition
Meets Precision
Chicago Leather Co. was born in 1987 in the heart of Chicago — a city built on the labor of hands, the pride of craft, and the belief that what you make should last a lifetime. Our founder, a third-generation leather worker, opened a small workshop on the city's north side with nothing more than a few hides, a set of hand tools, and an obsession with perfection.
"We don't make leather goods. We make heirlooms that happen to be leather."
What began as bespoke polo boots for local equestrian clubs grew, through word of mouth and uncompromising quality, into a global atelier trusted by professional riders, polo champions, and discerning collectors across six continents.
Every stitch is placed by hand. Every hide is selected in person. Every piece that leaves our workshop carries the weight of that founding belief — that there is no substitute for time, patience, and mastery.
Robert Lachlan
Founder & Master Craftsman
Est. 1987 — Chicago, IL
What We Stand For
Our Principles
The values that have guided every decision — from the hides we select to the artisans we train — for nearly four decades.
Uncompromising Quality
We source only full-grain and top-grain hides from the world's finest tanneries. If the leather doesn't meet our standard, it doesn't enter our workshop. There is no second grade at Chicago Leather Co.
Patience of Craft
A pair of custom polo boots takes up to 40 hours to complete. Our artisans are never rushed. Excellence cannot be scheduled — it is earned stitch by stitch, hour by hour.
Heritage Techniques
Every leather worker in our atelier trains for a minimum of three years before crafting a product that carries our name. The old techniques — hand-stitching, burnishing, lasting — are never replaced by shortcuts.
True Customization
No two customers are the same. Our bespoke service means your measurements, your leather selection, your colour, your monogram — crafted as a single piece, made only for you.
People First
Our artisans are paid fairly, trained thoroughly, and respected as the masters they are. The welfare of the people who make our leather goods is inseparable from the quality of those goods.
Responsible Sourcing
We partner only with tanneries that meet our environmental and ethical standards. Great leather should not come at the cost of the world around us. Beauty and responsibility are not opposites.
37 Years of History
Milestones of
Craft & Legacy
The Workshop Opens
Robert Lachlan opens a small leather workshop on Chicago's north side, taking on bespoke boot commissions from local polo and equestrian clubs. Word spreads quietly.
First International Order
A renowned Argentine polo team commissions 12 pairs of custom long boots. The order puts Chicago Leather Co. on the international equestrian map.
Flagship Atelier Established
The workshop expands into a full atelier with 14 master craftsmen and a dedicated custom-order consultation suite. The gloves collection launches to immediate acclaim.
50+ Countries Served
Chicago Leather Co. passes the milestone of shipping to over 50 countries. The polo boots are worn at championship level across four continents.
Sustainability Charter Signed
We formalize our commitment to responsible sourcing, partnering only with tanneries meeting our strict environmental and ethical standards. No compromise.
Serving 70+ Countries Today
With over 12,000 satisfied customers and 780+ designs, the craft continues — still driven by the same standards Robert set on day one. The future is handmade.
The Atelier
How Every Piece
Comes to Life
From raw hide to finished piece — our process has not changed in its essentials since 1987. These are the principles that govern every item that leaves our hands.
Hide Selection by Hand
Every hide is examined in person by our master tanners. Surface quality, grain, temper, and weight are assessed before any cut is made.
Pattern & Measurement
Each piece is patterned to exacting measurements — especially for custom orders. Precision at this stage determines the life and fit of the finished product.
Hand-Stitching & Assembly
No industrial sewing machines are used on our finished products. Every stitch is placed by hand using traditional saddle-stitch technique — stronger, more durable, and unmistakably human.
Finishing & Edge Burnishing
Edges are beveled, burnished, and waxed by hand. Every surface is conditioned. The final inspection is done under natural light to catch what machines never would.
37+
Years of Craft
12K+
Happy Customers
780+
Unique Designs
70+
Countries Served
The People
The Hands Behind
Every Stitch
Our team of master craftsmen, each with decades of experience, are the living heart of Chicago Leather Co.
Robert Lachlan
Founder & Master Craftsman
Third-generation leather worker with over 45 years of hands-on experience. Robert personally approves every custom order design before cutting begins.
Maria Valdez
Head of Gloves Atelier
With 22 years at Chicago Leather Co., Maria leads our gloves workshop and has trained over 30 apprentice craftsmen who now work across the atelier.
James Kowalski
Master Bootmaker
A specialist in polo and riding boots, James trained under a Cordovan bootmaker before joining Chicago Leather Co. in 2001. His boots have been worn at international polo championships.
What We Use
The Finest Materials
on Earth
Full-Grain Leather
The highest quality leather available — the outermost layer of the hide, with natural grain intact. Stronger, more breathable, and develops a rich patina with age.
Argentina · Italy · United States
Vegetable-Tanned Hide
Slowly tanned using traditional oak bark tannins — a process that takes months, not hours. The result is a leather of extraordinary density and character.
Tuscany, Italy
Waxed Thread
We use only linen or polyester thread, hand-waxed for strength and water resistance. Traditional saddle-stitch — two needles, one thread — creates a seam that won't unravel if broken.
France · Germany
Solid Brass Hardware
Buckles, D-rings, and closures are solid brass — not plated, not chrome. Brass tarnishes gracefully, matching the aging character of the leather it accompanies.
England
Begin Your Journey
Own Something
Made for You
Browse our collections or begin a bespoke commission. Every piece we make is a direct extension of 37 years of craft — and it will last a lifetime.