From Our Founder:

I created Sylvan Park in 2014 after having worked in the music industry for over 10 years as a manager, designer, and art director. I recognized a need for a useful yet refined bag that could be a staple in my wardrobe year after year. I set out to design the bag I always wanted, and eventually created our flagship bag, the Prospect Tote. Since then, Sylvan Park has grown to include additional bags, accessories, jewelry, and home collection. 

Sylvan Park pieces have always been made using sustainable vegetable tanned leather that I personally sourced from a family owned tannery in Tuscany. Our current collection is produce in-house in Brooklyn, NY.

As the designer and founder of Sylvan Park, I believe in slowing down to focus on quality materials, strong craftsmanship, and timeless design to create pieces that are meant to be loved for many years.

-Betsy Baird - Owner and Designer - Sylvan Park

Our Leather: 

 

The genuine full-grain leather used in our entire collection is created using an age-old process of vegetable tanning, which utilizes plant-based tannins instead of the harsh substances used to tan most leather today. Our certified* leather is sourced from a family-owned tannery in Tuscany, and all hides are a by-product of the food industry. 

Because of the natural tanning and dying process, each piece is one of a kind. Variations in grain, texture, color and markings are what makes this leather and each Sylvan Park piece unique. 

Vegetable tanned leather requires a little bit of love to ensure it ages gracefully. Our leather does not wear out, but instead gains its own character over time. Periodic conditioning (with clear wax-free products designed for vegetable tanned leather) will help to keep the leather supple and eliminate scratches.

Please limit exposure to the harsh elements and try to keep your piece out of the rain to avoid spotting. Any spills or liquids should be immediately absorbed with a clean cloth and allowed to dry completely before storing or conditioning with a leather cream. As with any dyed piece, there is always a chance that some color can transfer to lighter colored leathers or clothing. Please take care while breaking in your leather.

We do not recommend swimming or showering with our leather jewelry. Please use a dry jewelry polishing cloth when polishing the metals components and only a dry soft cloth on the leather parts.

Daily use, exposure to the sun, and the oils from your skin will change the color and finish of your vegetable tanned leather piece; developing what is known as a patina. All Sylvan Park pieces are designed to embrace, and be enhanced, by this change. 

Please feel free to contact us for any advice about the care of your Sylvan Park products. A good leather specialist or cobbler is another great resource for proper care and supplies. Be sure to test any new cleaning or conditioning products on a hidden part of your piece first. As a good rule of thumb, always store your piece in its cotton dust bag to help ensure that it lasts for years.
 
 
*Certified by the Pelle Conciata al Vegetale