is a young brand started by young makers. In the summer of 2015 Flume Leather Co. founder Luke Davais met with Nimi Einstein to talk design while enjoying a cup at Lionhearted Coffee. With no prior knowledge of the material, Nimi and Luke began using small scraps of leather from Oregon Leather Company and pieces from Scrap PDX in order to try out hand stitching and sewing patterns. After investing
in tools, and making do with what they had, the two began to create leather goods in a way that have never been done before. By using classic materials and forming products using modern design-the two created radical models of wallets, bags, pouches, and other goods. After going through the design process over and over gain until each good was refined to be the most ergonomic and functional it could be, Luke began branding a small company while literally branding his leather. The word Flume is used to describe a winding stream between a deep narrow ravine. This was found to best describe the small company, not only for its geographical location in Troutdale Oregon, but to prove its difference in the leather goods industry. Many companies are more interested in mass producing goods at the cheapest rate in order to make a profit. however goes out of its way to get locally sourced and ethically responsible materials in order to make its hand made goods. Flume Leather Co is going against the current in the leather goods industry. Many partners have made this company possible. The design community in Portland Oregon is so strong that most makers would rather see a friend succeed rather than make a profit. People like Peter Le who designed the brand logo, Kylie LaCour who has taken most if not all of the photography, and Maja Dlugolecka who has modeled our branding strategy. Along with many others like Lionheart Coffee Co. for offering up their cafe for photo shoots and those apart of PSUGD and A+D projects that have helped on the sidelines of this branding project. "In the relationship business." holds most important is its relationships with its community and its opportunity to help others. All products are not only meant to help the users everyday life-but to avoid harsh working conditions for those in the tannery process, and to support ethical production, but Flume also chooses to support locally sourced materials and American based products. Overall, Flume is in “the relationship business” where people matter more than profi. That's why all leather scraps in the hand making process are donated to Scrap PDX to keep the legacy of design exploration alive for other makers. It also is an opportunity for fundraising and collaboration. If Flume Leather Co. is able to help in any way, or able to collaborate with any local makers-we would love to hear about it. As of now-the best way to make a difference is to search for the real cost of your current goods. Revise your daily habits to live a minimalist lifestyle that gives back to the community, and support small local businesses like us. Thanks for being a part of Flume Leather CO. Be like a flume. Live against the current.
