There’s a moment that happens when you slip into a pair of shoes for the first time—the way the leather greets your foot, supple yet strong, hinting at how it will soften and adapt with every step. At Reinhard Frans, that moment begins long before the shoe reaches your hands. It begins with a hide, carefully sourced, and entrusted to one of the world’s most renowned tanneries: Gruppo Mastrotto in Italy.
A Heritage Written in Leather
Every Mastrotto hide tells a story. It once carried life, and through the hands of master tanners, it is transformed into something that will carry yours. Unlike synthetic materials, leather holds memory: it creases, darkens, and gains richness as it follows you through seasons of work and leisure.
Mastrotto’s expertise lies in enhancing these natural qualities. Whether it’s the velvety touch of suede, the understated sheen of aniline leather, or the resilience of a finely finished calf hide, each treatment is chosen to highlight beauty while ensuring durabi
From Hide to Heel: The Journey
When hides arrive at Mastrotto, the process is both meticulous and deeply respectful. First, they are cleaned and prepared. Then comes the age-old ritual of tanning—whether through plant-based vegetable tanning or chrome-free innovations that protect both the material and the environment.
Every stage is deliberate: dyeing, drying, softening, polishing. By the time leather reaches our workshop, it carries not only strength and flexibility, but also the quiet dignity of Italian craft.
Craft Meets Responsibility
True craftsmanship today cannot ignore responsibility. Mastrotto has embraced a vision of circular economy, ensuring that over 90% of processing waste is recovered and transformed into new materials—from cosmetics to fertilizers. Their tanneries run on 100% renewable electricity, water is recycled, and chemicals are replaced with safer, plant-based alternatives.
For us, this matters. It means every Reinhard Frans product you choose is not just beautiful, but also part of a larger commitment: quality without compromise, sustainability without greenwashing.
Leather That Lives With You
One of the most extraordinary qualities of leather is how it evolves. A belt acquires a subtle patina from your daily rituals. Shoes soften and mould to your stride, becoming more yours with each wear.
"This is not imperfection—it’s intimacy. It’s your story, written in leather."
Of course, a little care ensures this journey lasts for years: shielding from harsh sunlight, avoiding aggressive substances, and giving the leather the occasional treatment with natural brushes or balms. When cared for, Mastrotto leather becomes not just durable, but heirloom-worthy.
Why We Choose Mastrotto
At Reinhard Frans, every design decision begins with the wearer in mind. We choose Mastrotto not only for its extraordinary quality and variety, but because their values mirror our own: respect for tradition, a pursuit of innovation, and a deep sense of responsibility.
When you step into our shoes or fasten one of our belts, you are stepping into that story—a story of heritage, craftsmanship, and care.
Luxury, for us, is not about excess. It’s about authenticity—knowing that what you wear is made with respect, crafted to last, and designed to grow with you. Mastrotto leather and suede allow us to create not just footwear and accessories, but lasting companions in your journey.
