Bridge of Weir Reframes Luxury at the London Design Festival
Bridge of Weir and sister company, Muirhead, jointly sponsored the innovative installation ‘Un-hide: Reframing Luxury,’ which was on display at the V&A South Kensington during London Design Festival 2024.
Designed by Kusheda Mensah of Modular by Mensah, the artistic installation re-evaluated leather’s role and challenged traditional perceptions of luxury and sustainability.
‘Un-hide: Reframing Luxury’ drew parallels between the memory of human skin and the natural features of leather, exploring its lifecycle and highlighting it as one of the most sustainable and ecological materials available.
By highlighting the beauty and exclusivity of leather’s natural characteristics, the installation revealed the authenticity and individuality of each piece, making every hide a reflection of its origins and journey.
It pushes us to rethink the conventional notions of luxury, focusing on embracing the genuine and natural qualities of design, materiality, and craftsmanship. The installation aimed to invite visitors to rethink luxury through a lens of authenticity and sustainability.
Debra Choong, Design Manager at Scottish Leather Group said:
“Embracing the natural features of leather is key to appreciating its true potential. Leather, when responsibly sourced and manufactured, stands out as one of the most sustainable materials available.
Its unique natural characteristics not only celebrate its inherent authenticity but also highlight its longevity. By acknowledging and valuing these qualities, we can redefine luxury to be more aligned with sustainability and craftsmanship. Our commitment is to demonstrate how natural leather, with its rich story and environmental benefits, can lead the way in contemporary design.”