Badalassi Carlo Oliva Pueblo

Like all Pueblo variants, Oliva undergoes transparent aniline dyeing that penetrates through the entire hide thickness, allowing the natural grain and texture to remain visible while providing color depth that develops further over time. The hand-buffed surface creates a suede-like texture on full-grain vegetable-tanned cowhide, valued for its ability to transition from a matte finish to a burnished sheen in high-wear areas.

Oliva Pueblo is manufactured at the Badalassi Carlo facility using the same traditional vegetable-tanning and hand-buffing process employed for all Pueblo color variants. The leather undergoes vegetable tanning with natural bark extracts, followed by fatliquoring with animal oils, transparent aniline dyeing, air drying, and stone-polishing before the distinctive hand-buffing that creates Pueblo's characteristic texture.

The olive green color is achieved through transparent aniline dyes that penetrate completely through the material from grain to flesh side, rather than remaining only on the surface. This color-through characteristic allows the leather to develop deep, rich patina as it ages, with the olive green base transitioning to more complex olive-brown tones through exposure to light, touch, and environmental conditions.

Oliva is produced in the standard 5oz thickness (approximately 2mm plus or minus 0.2mm) typical of Pueblo leather. Full hides measure approximately 48 by 48 inches (14-17 square feet), while half hides measure approximately 24 by 48 inches (7-8 square feet). The leather features the medium temper characteristic of Pueblo, providing structural integrity while offering flexibility for comfort in wearable applications.

Oliva Pueblo develops patina rapidly compared to other vegetable-tanned leathers, with subtle changes visible within weeks of regular use and significant transformation occurring within six to twelve months. The initial matte olive green surface gradually smooths and darkens in areas subjected to frequent contact, creating varying degrees of sheen across the material and developing deeper olive-brown tones.

The transparent aniline dyeing and natural tanning process allow patina changes to develop throughout the material rather than remaining superficial. High-wear areas develop a glossy, burnished appearance as the natural oils from the tanning process allow the surface to polish with use. This creates dynamic color variations unique to each piece, with polished sections showing darker olive-brown tones contrasting against less-worn areas that retain more of the original matte olive green texture.

Regular buffing with a dry cloth accelerates the burnishing process, increasing both the darkness of color and the level of shine. The oil content from the vegetable tanning and fatliquoring process contributes to the leather's ability to develop what is described as a rich, glossy patina, making Oliva particularly suitable for applications where visible aging and character development are desired aesthetic qualities.

Oliva Pueblo is used in wallets, bags, watch straps, small leather goods, and bookbinding applications where its distinctive olive green color and rapid patina development create products that develop individual character through wear. The color pairs well with brass and antique brass hardware, providing visual harmony between the olive-brown patina tones and aged metal finishes.

In watch strap production, Oliva offers an alternative to traditional brown and black leathers while maintaining the comfort, flexibility, and distinctive aging characteristics valued in Pueblo leather. The matte surface provides a different tactile experience compared to smooth leathers, while the rapid patina development allows straps to quickly develop character based on wear patterns.

For footwear applications, Oliva provides a distinctive color option for heritage boots and shoes where aging characteristics are valued. The medium temper and patina development make it suitable for both dress and casual footwear, with the olive green color offering versatility in coordinating with various clothing styles while developing complex olive-brown tones over time.

The stone-ground finish provides visual interest on exterior surfaces, while the soft flesh side works well for interior applications when craftspeople use Oliva for both exterior components and linings within a single product.

Oliva Pueblo can be treated with natural creams and waxes to condition the material and enhance protection, though the leather already contains oils and waxes from the tanning process making it relatively self-sufficient in basic care requirements. Regular buffing with a dry cloth burnishes the surface and accelerates patina development, creating the glossy finish characteristic of aged Pueblo leather while deepening the olive-brown tones.

The leather should be kept away from prolonged water exposure, as moisture absorption can cause discoloration and damage to the stone-ground surface treatment. Brief encounters with moisture can be dried carefully with a soft cloth, but immersion or heavy wetting is not recommended. The leather shares the same working properties and care requirements as other Pueblo variants, being easy to cut and skive with burnishable edges that take advantage of the natural oils and waxes in the vegetable-tanned material.