leather

Folsom 2026 refers to the upcoming edition of the Folsom Street Fair, San Francisco's long-running annual leather and kink festival held in the city's South of Market district. SFGate has recently described the event as an institution that 'puts San Francisco into submission,' and online searches for next year's edition are rising.

The Guardian's cricket podcast The Hotspot, presented by Tanya Aldred, examines whether bamboo could replace traditional willow for bat-making. With rising temperatures putting pressure on the supply of English willow, the game is facing a pressing need to find alternatives, and bamboo is emerging as a serious candidate for the future of cricket equipment.

Cricket is weighing a switch from traditional willow bats to bamboo, a cheaper and more sustainable material. Supporters say bamboo is stronger, more plentiful and could make the game more accessible, while traditionalists question whether it would change how the bat plays and alter the character of the sport. The debate touches equipment rules and the future of bat manufacturing.

Animal rights group Peta declared victory years ago as major fashion houses dropped fur, but its activists are once again storming runways at fashion shows. The Guardian asks why the organisation is back hijacking catwalks, examining what now drives its protests as the industry moves on from fur to new controversies over leather, wool and animal-derived materials.

A blog post is promoting Levi's men's faux leather motorcycle jacket, presenting it as a classic biker style suited to everyday wear. The item is being shared with fashion and menswear tags, though there is no indication of new product news, reviews or wider discussion beyond the promotional listing itself.

Bottega Veneta staged its Spring 2027 ready-to-wear fashion show, with the collection drawing attention across fashion media. The Italian luxury house, known for its intrecciato leather craftsmanship, unveiled its latest designs as part of the international fashion week calendar, with coverage led by major fashion publications. Details on the collection's themes, silhouettes, and reception have so far been limited, but the show is being followed by industry watchers and luxury fashion audiences worldwide.

A Moscow leather care service is advertising restoration of Fendi bags, including cleaning and repair of leather details. The listing promotes its bag repair and restoration work and invites customers to get in touch by phone. There is no broader news event attached to the claim beyond the service being offered.

The Guardian's fashion desk has published advice from Jess Cartner-Morley on styling leather jackets, arguing the key is to look chic rather than 'stompy'. The piece suggests ways to wear the classic item so it flatters the wearer instead of overpowering them, a recurring seasonal question as leather jackets remain a wardrobe staple.

Fashion writers are revisiting the classic leather biker jacket as autumn dressing gets under way, noting how much of its image is still tied to Marlon Brando's rebellious screen persona. A new styling guide argues the piece can look chic rather than 'stompy', offering tips on cuts, fits and pairings that soften the jacket's tough associations for modern wardrobes.

A Moscow-based luxury care service, Bleach Moscow, is promoting its repair and cleaning of Louis Vuitton bags and other premium leather goods. The service specializes in restoring high-end footwear and accessories, offering maintenance for luxury items in the Russian capital as demand for care of expensive brands continues.

Detroit-based watch and leather goods brand Shinola is embracing internet culture as a way to reach younger consumers, according to FashionUnited. The report examines how the company is adapting its marketing and messaging to connect with audiences raised on memes and social media, a notable shift for a heritage brand built on Americana and craftsmanship. The piece highlights a broader trend of legacy labels rethinking traditional advertising.

Guardian fashion editor Jess Cartner-Morley offers advice on styling the classic leather jacket, arguing the key is making the piece work for your look rather than letting its connotations dominate. The piece explores ways to wear the jacket with balance and personal flair.

The Belgian luxury leather goods house Delvaux, founded in Brussels in 1829 and known for its high-end handbags, is drawing renewed attention on social media. Posts mention the brand under its own hashtag, though the snippets collected give no details about a specific event, product launch or statement behind the buzz.

KDDI has released a case for the iPhone Duo that features a hinge cover and is made from glossy vegan leather. The announcement drew amused reactions in Japan, with one widely shared quip that it differs from what 'Professor Citan' said - a nod to the classic 'that's not what I was told' joke referencing the Xenogears character Citan Uzuki.

Hermes presented its spring/summer 2027 collection in Paris, built around lightweight knits and slit skirts. The French luxury house's show is drawing attention as part of the Paris fashion calendar, with observers watching how the label balances airy, relaxed silhouettes against its heritage of refined tailoring and leather craft.

Mushroom-based leather, a mycelium-derived alternative to animal and synthetic leather, is being examined as a possible sustainable material for fashion and home goods. Discussion centres on whether the material has reached a tipping point for mainstream adoption, with attention on its environmental benefits, durability and production scalability compared with conventional leather.

Sneaker release trackers are flagging an upcoming Nike Air Force 1 Low in a pink 'Desert Dust' colourway, fitted with a patent leather Swoosh. The women's pair, listed under style code IR2419-200, is described as dropping very soon, with sneaker watchers sharing the news ahead of the official release date.

Fashion commentators say the classic leather jacket is taking a back seat this autumn as a rival trend takes over seasonal wardrobes. Style writers are pointing readers toward alternative outerwear choices for fall, suggesting the once-ubiquitous leather jacket may be skipped by trend-conscious dressers this season in favor of the newer look.

Stella McCartney presented a collection spotlighting sea life at Paris fashion week, drawing attention to ocean conservation and animal welfare in fashion. The show lands as animal rights issues return to prominence in industry headlines, reinforcing McCartney's long-standing commitment to cruelty-free, sustainable design. Her latest collection continues her signature stance against leather, fur and exotic skins, using the Paris platform to keep ethical fashion in the public conversation.