The sophistication of simplicity
- Gregor won the Tyrolean Design Award in 2017
- His first product was a tobacco pouch for himself
- The leather he uses is vegetable tanned
In 2013, Gregor Mair opened his workshop in Innsbruck. Dark brown, black, red and cognac coloured leather hides line the shelves, ready to be transformed into award-winning bags and accessories. Gregor’s path to becoming an artisan is an unusual one: after studying architecture in Innsbruck and working as a lighting designer, a cycling accident followed by six months of convalescence gave him the time to have his first experience working with fine leathers, and he immediately fell in love with the feel of the material. He created a wallet and a tobacco pouch for himself and not long after, he produced 150 more for his friends. Wind the clock forward and he earned himself a trade licence, started his own brand GRGA from his atelier, and sells his unique leather products all over Austria.
Interview
- How do you characterise your leather products?
- What makes my objects special is first of all the plain style and clean design, no frills, just purism. Although, I offer tailor-made products, I always try to follow my characteristic design aesthetic, hiding pockets and pouches under the typical GRGA surface. Everything has to be functional, repairable and sustainable.
- What is your approach to sustainability?
- I’m exclusively using vegetable tanned leather, twice a year I travel to a small tannery in Spain that has been producing this kind of leather for the last 200 years. To buy different, special leathers, like fish hide, I take a trip to the Milan leather fair. It’s important to invest time in thorough research to find producers and dealers you can fully trust.
- What inspires your designs?
- Partly the material itself: the feel of the hide and the awareness that leather changes while being used and grows ever more beautiful is true inspiration. But I also love digging into the past, watching old movies or visiting museums to find century-old bags or purses, I want to replicate diligently.
- How do you distribute your handmade pieces?
- Although I sell my products online and in selected stores, I still love to exhibit and sell at fairs in and around Austria: setting up my own stand, explaining to my customers the specialty of true craftsmanship, the link between ancient techniques and modern design and getting feedback from my clients in person is what I love.
Gregor Mair is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2011
Where
Gregor Mair
