Behind the Century Collection
The Early Years
The roots of the Tusting leather dynasty reach back to 1870 when the modern sewing machine had recently been developed. Revolutionising the leather-making industry, this mechanical feat of engineering meant that new ease and speed was introduced to the shoemaking process, allowing the market to grow as makers became more creative and ambitious, working with an array of leathers and designs that would have previously been unimaginable. With this new energy and demand for shoes, came a new energy and a runaway demand for high-quality leathers.
A British Dynasty
Many shoe factories sprung up in the area along the Nene and Ouse valleys east of Northampton. This allowed them to take advantage of the already abundant supply of tanneries that had been established in the region as a result of the good water supply. The thriving industry, in turn led to the demand for more tanneries. Step forward, Charles Pettit: a young labourer with an entrepreneurial spirit. He saw the opportunity emerging on his home ground and grabbed it with both hands. He founded a tannery and, without even realising it, a British leather dynasty was born.
An Heir Is Born
Charles Pettit had only one child, a daughter, Eliza. She grew up around her father’s business and shared his passion for it. As a young woman, she met and married a local haberdasher by the name of John Tusting. The couple had an only child and heir, also named John but known to all as Jack. Like his mother, Jack spent much of his childhood at the heart of the family leather business, and shared her love of it. The family anticipated that he would work alongside his grandfather when he became of suitable age and one day, take over the reins. All was not to be however. In 1914, Jack turned 17. The period should have heralded his coming of age, but instead, he was steered off course by the outset of the First World War. Our young hero was soon enlisted into the Royal Flying Corps.
A Family Feud
Thousands of miles from his home, Jack was on active service in Egypt when his grandfather, Charles passed away. Unbeknownst to the young man, Pettit’s second wife (of whom Jack was certainly not a fan) decided to sell off the tannery. Returning back to the UK in 1919, Jack found things much changed. The family business was gone, with nothing left behind.
The Tusting Brand Is Born
If there’s anything that can be said about the courageous young Jack Tusting, it is that he was a determined young man with his eye on the prize. He had dreamed of running a tannery throughout his life, and not to be defeated, set about establishing his own state-of-the art tannery. He succeeded in re-establishing the family business with even greater gusto than before, achieving a position of one of the country’s foremost suppliers of leather to the trade and importantly, becoming the first at the helm to carry the Tusting family name.
Keeping It In The Family
The rest, as they say (and the story that brings us through to today and a century on from Jack’s renewal of the family business) is history. Three generations later, Tusting family members still remain at the helm of the company, although their focus has shifted from tanning to bag making, all from our premises at Lavendon, a mere hop, skip and jump down the road from Jack’s tannery in Harrold.
Century Collection
Our Autumn Winter collection for 2019, launched 100 years on from Jack’s return, is called Century and pays homage to Jack’s story. Made up of seven pieces, designed to be used together or on their own, Century combines Jack’s aviation past with his passion for leather. Each bag is named after a WW1 airfield, with aviation cues prevalent throughout the designs. Pockets and bag flaps on the collection’s backpacks and small shoulder bag recall the shape of a bi-plane wing, whilst the corner details of our city-focussed holdall and suitcase are evocative of the tail-fin. A piped-leather trim finishes the bags off, whilst an innovative, fully biodegradable lining in Air Force blue reminds us once again of Jack’s roots and heroics.
It’s All In The Detail
Available in a choice of three colourways, Century is our most prestigious range yet. We have chosen an exceptional, premium, full-grain hide leather which is lightweight and aniline dyed using modern tanning techniques. The benefits of this are richness of colour tone and leather that feels beautifully soft to the touch, yet is deceptively hard wearing and durable. Pushing the luxury and finish of our bags still further, each one is complemented by the introduction of new and elegant signature hardware, upping the lux level and providing a contemporary nod. This comes in the form of Tusting T-clasps in chrome and brass and redeveloped more shapely handles.
Bags of Distinction
These are bags made for today’s modern gentleman, and as such, thought has gone into every detail; from slip straps to make carrying a bag on top of your trolley easier, to a nifty detachable, interior leather pouch for your phone or passport and concealed, secure pockets, we have put plenty of thought to ensure that functionality and style are balanced in equal measure. These are bags of distinction, in a class of their own.
