Slink

Slink Manufacture

Slink leather is the leather made from the hide of unborn calves, it can also be applied to the skin of an unborn lamb as well. Slink skins first started being used in the 1950’s. The majority of the Slink skins come from natural casualties, and they can be dyed or finished in any other way that leather can be.

Slink skin is often made into a really soft, supple suede fabric, but it can also be made into leather. Generally the younger the animal the hide has come from, the softer, more supple and more flexible the leather is. This means that slink skin is very supple. It also has a lot less imperfections than that of an older cow or sheep.

Slink leather is very versatile; one of the major downsides of it however is the size. Slink hides are very small and a substantial amount would be needed to make anything big. For this reason, slink is mainly used for smaller garments such as gloves, shoes and bags. Slink is perhaps one of the most morally disputed leathers, in much the same way that veal is in the meat industry. Slink is often campaigned about and boycotted for these reasons.

Properties of Slink

Highly Desirable

Rare

Very soft

Good strength

Flexible

Waterproof

Versatile

Smaller hides

Can be dyed various colours

Uses of Slink in Fashion Past and Present

Mainly used for making gloves

Coats

Boots

Bags

High end products

Delicate Garments



