About
La Bretagna Ghost is a vegetable-tanned leather produced by Conceria La Bretagna, an Italian tannery founded in 1961 and located in Ponte a Egola, Tuscany. The leather features a distinctive white wax finish applied over colored full-grain cowhide that gradually wears away through use, revealing the underlying color and creating a unique patina effect.
About
La Bretagna Ghost is a vegetable-tanned leather produced by Conceria La Bretagna, an Italian tannery founded in 1961 and located in Ponte a Egola, Tuscany. The leather features a distinctive white wax finish applied over colored full-grain cowhide that gradually wears away through use, revealing the underlying color and creating a unique patina effect.
The Ghost finish distinguishes this leather from conventional vegetable-tanned products through its dual-layer characteristic. The protective white wax coating shields the leather from weathering while allowing natural aging through wear, combining the durability of traditional vegetable tanning with a dynamic appearance that evolves with use.
Characteristics
La Bretagna Ghost utilizes French origin cowhide processed through vegetable tanning methods. The leather receives a full aniline finish and is dyed completely through its thickness, ensuring color penetration beyond the surface layer.
The material is produced in a 3-4oz thickness (approximately 1.2-1.6mm) with firm temper, providing structure while remaining workable for various applications. The grain side presents a smooth surface covered with white wax, while the flesh side displays a smooth nap suitable for burnishing.
The white wax finish serves dual purposes as both a protective barrier and an aesthetic element. As the leather experiences handling and wear, the wax gradually works into the material and wears away, progressively exposing the colored leather beneath. This creates an aging pattern unique to each item based on individual wear patterns and usage intensity.
Colors
The Ghost line includes multiple color options beneath the uniform white wax finish. Natural variations provide tan tones, while the Black Ghost series offers three distinct options: Tegola, Grigio, and Paglia. The Ghost Marlboro presents tobacco-toned leather under its wax coating.
For specific color variations, see La Bretagna Natural Ghost for details on natural tan options.
Applications
The leather's combination of weatherproofing and wear resistance makes it suitable for travel goods including bags and suitcases. Footwear manufacturers utilize Ghost leather for shoe uppers, taking advantage of its protective qualities and aging characteristics. The material also appears in small leather goods such as watch straps and wallets, where the patina development adds character through daily use.
References
"La Bretagna Conceria". Buckleguy. Retrieved November 3, 2025.
"Who We Are". La Bretagna Official Website. Retrieved November 3, 2025.
"La Bretagne Italy Collection". Rocky Mountain Leather Supply. Retrieved November 3, 2025.
"Conceria La Bretagna Ghost Collection". OA Leather Supply. Retrieved November 3, 2025.
"Ghost Collection". Belts Production. Retrieved November 3, 2025.
