Luava story

Deeper meaning: I make leather products that not only serve their purpose but gives you a positive experience every time you use it. The enjoyment of using products that are made locally by an actual person made me wanting to do that too. I make my products in Finland that is known from its beautiful forests and pure nature. All my leather products carry that feeling, the landscapes, clean nature and the fresh forest air. 

If you own my product you know it's:

• handmade by me, Juuso
• made in the middle of the forests of Finland
• made for life with care and a great passion for leathercraft
• crafted with the best vegetable-tanned full-grain leather that is durable and sustainable
• not mass-produced
• a piece of my story and the things I stand for

Heritage: My father has always been an innovative craftsman. Ever since I was little I've watched him craft all kinds of amazing things - for example a 10 meter long wooden boat (Oskari) that has been a second home for me all my life. From him I've learned the love for craftsmanship and the enthusiasm for creating something myself.

How it all begin: In the year 2015 I wanted to create sustainable products that outlive all other alternatives. Immediately leather came to my mind as it lasts a long time and the vegetable-tanned full-grain leather I started using is environmentally friendly. As leather is a by-product of meat industry no animals are harmed because of their leather. It would just be used as a landfill so I wanted to use it for creating long lasting products to give a more durable option for mass-produced options. So I started by making wallets that are still my main product category. Then came journals, passport covers and all other accessories I (and everyone I know) needed.

Inspiration: 2019 me and my wife bought a house in Espoo and I finally got a proper workshop! In September that year our family grew by one little boy who gave me even more inspiration for my work. In 2021 we got another boy that gave me even more inspiration! The other inspiration that was mentioned earlier is the gorgeous Finnish nature, coniferous forests, clean air and the nature purer that anything else.

This is what Luava is. I hope you get as much out of my creations as I get from making them.

- Juuso