BEORMA: A Collective of Craftsmen Carrying the Skills and DNA of Britain's Prestigious WHITEHOUSE COX

There is always a reason why something continues to be loved for a long time. Perhaps it lies in skills passed down across generations, or an unwavering belief in values that never change. Bridle leather goods, carried on through generations in England, are exactly one such example. Preserving this tradition and technique while capturing attention with designs that fit modern life is the leather brand "BEORMA."

As more people come to value "truly good things, chosen carefully and used with care for a long time," there's a growing appreciation for selecting each item thoughtfully and using it with affection over time. What BEORMA offers is exactly the kind of leather item suited to this era. Setting itself apart from conventional bridle leather brands, BEORMA skillfully uses a variety of leathers beyond bridle leather, including vegetable-tanned leather, to achieve a natural expression that is easy for women to choose as well. These are leather items that pursue functional designs harmonizing with modern lifestyles, all while preserving classical beauty.

England and the History of Leather Goods

If we trace back the reasons why English leather goods continue to be loved around the world, the history leads us to the world of horseback riding, itself a symbol of aristocratic culture. Since ancient times, people have used leather for the tack needed to handle horses, and over time they developed various techniques to enhance its durability so that it would function reliably even in harsh conditions. England's rainy climate, the friction of long hours in the saddle, and above all, the responsibility of being a tool entrusted with the lives of both horse and rider—it was to meet all of these demands that "bridle leather" was born.

"Bridle leather" is created when cowhide, slowly tanned over time with vegetable tannins, has beeswax and tallow worked into it by hand, one piece at a time, by skilled craftsmen. The result is a leather that acts as a shield against foul weather and moisture, while developing a deeper, richer beauty the more it is used. It was a masterpiece combining true durability with suppleness, one that would never fade even as time passed.

With the arrival of the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century, this exceptional technique spread throughout England. Many tanners (leather-tanning craftsmen) and saddlery makers emerged across the country, each refining their own unique methods. Among them, the town of Walsall became widely known around the world as the "sacred ground of bridle leather," thanks to its exceptional skill and uncompromising commitment to quality.

The Baton Passed from the Prestigious WHITEHOUSE COX to BEORMA

It was in Walsall, this sacred ground of bridle leather, that BEORMA got its start.

Behind founder Alex Simpson's decision to launch this brand lies a significant turning point in the British leather industry. The news that the historic factory of WHITEHOUSE COX—a prestigious maker founded in Walsall in 1875 that had upheld British manufacturing for over 140 years—would close at the end of 2022 sent shockwaves through the industry.

But Alex saw this crisis as a new possibility. He believed the skills and experience cultivated by the more than 25 master craftsmen who had honed their craft over the years at WHITEHOUSE COX and had been the backbone of its production—and above all, their passion for British leathercraft—must not be allowed to fade away. Driven by this firm conviction, Alex reached out to the craftsmen who were about to be scattered, and set about establishing a new factory.

An eye for judging leather, a hand's sense for working beeswax into it, the care put into every single stitch—all of these can be called a precious asset, refined over more than 140 years. BEORMA carries within it skills passed down across generations.

L I N E U P

For this feature, ZUTTO has selected items from among BEORMA's many products, focusing on designs that are easy for women to use and that suit a modern lifestyle.

BAG

2-Way Mini Tote L0131 THE DIDDY/BRIDLE

Material: Bridle leather

A light, refined mini tote just right for everyday outings. Once you actually use it, you'll find it's the perfect size for daily use, neatly holding essentials like your smartphone, wallet, and notebook. Interestingly, this bag's design was originally created for carrying Easter eggs. The mesh leather handle, unique to BEORMA, adds a playful touch to its classic look.

BELT

Belt P0011 25mm INTERLINKED PLAITED BELT

Material: Cowhide

BEORMA's iconic mesh belt is made by craftsmen who carefully hand-weave thick, high-quality cowhide, one piece at a time. At a slim 25mm width, it's an easy size for women to wear. It pairs wonderfully with any bottoms, from dress pants to denim and chinos. The delicate weave remains beautiful all the way to the tip, and another welcome point is that it isn't limited to a particular waist size.

Belt B0015 28mm UNLINED BELT/BRIDLE

Material: Bridle leather

A bridle leather belt crafted from a single piece of hide, with no lining material used. Its simple appearance is versatile enough to suit both dressy and casual styles. While the single-hide construction gives it a solid, sturdy feel, you'll notice a comfortable softness developing as it molds to your body with use.

CARD CASE

Card Case S0039 GUSSETED CARD CASE/BRIDLE

Material: Bridle leather

A business card case with a refined, British elegance that suits business settings. The interior is divided into three compartments, making it practical for keeping received business cards separate from your own. With just the right thickness and a size that fits comfortably in the hand, it slips neatly into a suit's inner pocket. It also makes a wonderful gift for celebrating someone's new job or career change.

WALLET

A wallet you use every day should be chosen to fit your lifestyle. We've prepared three types that offer excellent usability, whether you prefer cash or a cashless lifestyle.

Wallet S0128 MULTI PURSE/BRIDLE

Material: Bridle leather

Recommended for→ Those who frequently use cash, and those who want to keep cards, bills, and coins neatly separated

A practical design combining a slim L-shaped zip wallet with a convenient external coin case. The coin case opens wide, making coins easy to see, and offers the convenience of being accessible without opening the main wallet. Three card pockets and a divider on the inside keep cards, bills, and receipts neatly organized.

Wallet S0092 SIMPLE WALLET/NATUR

Material: Vegetable tanned leather

Recommended for→ Those whose cards and receipts, such as point cards, tend to pile up, and those looking for a secondary wallet for travel

A slim wallet in an unusual mini pouch shape. The main compartment holds cards and folded bills, while the outer coin pocket accommodates a small amount of change. The coin pocket also comes in handy as a place to store a smart tag. Despite its simple construction, it can hold about 6 cards, 10 bills, and 6 coins, making it perfect for everyday use as well as a secondary wallet while traveling.

Fragment Case S0086 FRAGMENT CASE/NATUR

Material: Vegetable tanned leather

Recommended for→ Those who mainly shop cashless, and those who always carry the same set of cards.

A fragment case featuring a compact, easy-to-carry zip case with card pockets on the outside. With three card pockets on the exterior, you can keep frequently used items like credit cards, transit IC cards, or your driver's license within easy reach for quick access. The main compartment can hold folded bills and coins, as well as small items such as car keys or wireless earbuds.

The "Wallet S0092 SIMPLE WALLET/NATUR" and "Fragment Case S0086 FRAGMENT CASE/NATUR" are made using "Natur leather." Produced in the abundant natural environment of Scandinavia, this leather is a high-quality, full vegetable tanned leather characterized by its soft texture. When you actually hold it, you'll notice a comfortable softness that feels gentle to the touch right from the start, quite different from bridle leather. Another appealing point is that it's made with the environment in mind. The raw hides, sourced from Sweden, come with established traceability (a system that tracks the origin farm of the hide), and environmentally conscious methods are used throughout the tanning and dyeing processes. The leather's distinctive texture also develops more character and depth the more it's used.

Care Instructions

"There's white powder on my new bridle leather item—is this okay?"
This is a question we often receive. This white powder is called "bloom," and it's the natural fat that was soaked into the leather rising to the surface. It's a natural phenomenon that appears as the beeswax and tallow, carefully worked into the leather during production, gradually settle into the material.

Leather that feels somewhat stiff at first will develop the lustrous character unique to bridle leather as this oil settles in. Please enjoy the process as the leather gradually softens and takes on a character all its own. Once the bloom has settled and you start to notice the leather's surface becoming dry or dirt building up, it's time for some care. Regular maintenance will help you enjoy the leather beautifully for even longer.

▼Basic care method

Fragment Case S0086 FRAGMENT CASE/NATUR
Renaissance Wax / Raider Balsam (colorless)

1. Remove all contents from the wallet or bag, and wipe off dirt with a cloth.

2. Apply cream or wax to replenish oils.

3. Buff with a soft-bristled brush or cloth. For vegetable tanned leather, cream tends to remain in the grain's texture, so be sure to brush carefully to work it in evenly.

4. Wait for the cream or wax to dry, then put the contents back inside.

Wallets and belts, in particular, are items you touch every day, so you're more likely to notice how they change over time. Caring for them will only deepen your attachment to them.

▼Leather care items can be found here