Bespoke leather and suede garments

LEATHER AND SUEDE SPOKESPERSON LEATHER and Suede has become both respected and relied upon by its leather-garment-and-accessory loving clients.

The shop is something of a landmark in the Loop Street area of downtown Cape Town, which is not surprising having being in the area for 21 years and with clients travelling to it from all over the country and from abroad to either purchase a garment, have one restyled, or tailored.

Dawood Samsodien started the business in 1969 in a little room in Woodstock. He quickly became known for the tailoring, repairing and remodelling of leather garments, which is not surprising as he had inherited the skills and learned the trade from his father before him.

Samsodien’s son and daughter Faizel and Lameze both joined him in the business and have also inherited the family love for producing custom-made, unique leather and suede items for customers who appreciate their skills.

“We love making garments, which we do together, brainstorming new styles and designs, and we enjoy meeting a customer with a desire for a leather garment then manufacturing it and experiencing the customer’s satisfaction with what we have made.

“We make leather and suede items exactly to our clients’ specifications from colour to type of skin, style and size of garment. We also do the full range of alterations and repairs,” says Lameze.

“Many of our customers come in with an old-style leather jacket that might have pleats and now want it remodelled, which we are expert at,” adds Faizel.

Leather and Suede have a large local clientele as well as a dedicated tourist market from all over the world.

The close relationships of the Samsodien family are extended through their business to their clients.

“We have clients that come from the UK, Switzerland and Germany that visit us every year and even if they don’t come to buy something they will enjoy a cup of tea with us – they become our friends.

“We also have generations of clients from the same family. For example, we have clients that have brought in jackets made by my father for their father or grandfather, and now they want the jacket remodelled or tailored to their size.

“This is a testimony to the quality of our garments: they are handed down through generations and remain in good condition,” says Lameze.

Leather and Suede takes pleasure in producing entirely custom-made items that are tailored specifically to clients’ requirements from jackets to belts, handbags, wallets, purses, and luggage.

The business stocks a large exotic skin selection from snake to crocodile, springbuck, zebra and buffalo skin, as clients often not only want a specific garment, but also choose the exact skin and lining that they desire.

Whatever the garment, whatever the skin, Leather and Suede e mphasises q u a l i t y i n b o t h make a n d material.