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DUKES FINEST ARTISAN - MANUFACTURE OF UNIQUE LEATHER GOODS - WE CREATE PIECES OF ART

Ursula Klein and Michael Herzog started out with bringing original vintage T-shirts from L.A. to Europe in 2001.​

They loved browsing warehouses and extremely enjoyed restoring and refining old and special things. On their search for vintage T-shirts, old Levi´s and used leather jackets, they discovered up to 30 year old military belts. They were sure that something that survives over decades in today´s throwaway society had to fascinate many others just like it fascinated them. Driven by idealism, the love for bygone eras,  vintage army-clothes and leather, Ursula and Michael started the first Dukes collection, consisting of ten different belts painted by hand, in their living room in August 2008.

The manufacturer of exclusive leather accessoiries DUKES FINEST ARTISAN is a designerbrand with unique heritage. From the label‘s origin of pioneering leather craftmanship and story telling creations the designers retained reputation as highend manufacturer of leather belts and bags with compelling design revealing handpainted motives and a variety of unique colour leather prints transferred to a modern day incarnation. The special finish and innovative handwriting of the founders, their passion and demand for perfection of leathter manufacturing combined with distinctive skills runs like a red string  through each and every creation and has ulimately set the Dukes brand as an icon of unique high end accessoires rarely found elsewhere.

 

Inspired by  ethnic and historical ages the designer’s storytelling hand-painting enrich contemporary art and poetry with a very personal approach transforming the codes of Foklore and Ethno or the unfading lifestyle periods such as the Hippie or Pop Art culture into a nowaday fashion perception. 

Since the beginning "upcycling" is a permanent element in their collections. Due to high demand this sector is expanding constantly and is an essential component in their work. The upcycling-collection consists of a passionately restored and exclusive range of unique leather that are up to 30 years old. The original and used leather comes from a global network of vintage aficionados, from Los Angeles to Budapest. Precious pieces, selected mainly from old stock and vintage markets are cleaned and treated with natural oils and lotions and finally, receive their exquisite artisanal workmanship.

VINTAGE ARTISAN

The vintage-collection consists of a passionately restored and exclusive range of unique and extremely rare army leather belts that are up to 30 years old. The original vintage leather products come from a global network of vintage aficionados, from Los Angeles to Budapest.
Each vintage belt is unique. Wear, scratches, stains and other traces of aging are signs of real vintage products. Each piece has its own character and is like no other. From our limited stock we send out selected pieces that are similar to  the pictures or sample.
Each piece is cleaned and treated with natural oils and lotions and finally, receive their exquisite artisanal and artistic touch. Manufactured in limited editions, an individual serial number makes each style a unique and authentic collector’s item.

ARTISAN

The Artisan collection has become the widest range, introducing leather accessoires with numerous handpainted motives, colour prints and a further range of handmade studs belts and bags. By this point the designers began to draw strorytelling motives inspired by nature, fine arts or the grande cultural epochs.
The handpaintings illustrate the big historrical moments within the centuries such as Pearl Harbor accross to the legendary Samurai or remote culture of the Mongolians and as one of the main themes, present famous lifes of personalities.

HERITAGE

Only naturaly grained Leather from one of the oldest Swedish tannery is used for Dukes Heritage. The leather are built to last and will evolve their own characteristics, patina and shape with time and wear.

PRODUCTION

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