How ROHLEDER’s Leather Aprons Came to Life
The Story Behind ROHLEDER’s Leather Aprons
ROHLEDER proudly presents premium handcrafted leather aprons that express a deep passion for this natural material through their exceptional quality and craftsmanship. But what’s the story behind the creation of these high-quality products? Was there a particular spark or inspiration?
My name is Paul Ortner, and in this blog post, I’d like to share with you the story of ROHLEDER—a journey that has become a meaningful part of my life.
Where It All Began – The Idea of a Leather Workshop
I’ve always admired the unique qualities of leather. From a young age, I learned to appreciate the durability and low-maintenance nature of this eco-friendly natural material—often during relaxed evenings at the grill. Over time, I developed a deep understanding of leather, and what started as a fascination gradually became a calling.
One day, I came across a leather apron in a department store in Switzerland. On closer inspection, I was disappointed by its quality. This moment got me thinking about the standard of leather aprons commonly available. To my surprise, most of them were stiff, heavy, and yet sold at surprisingly high prices. That realisation sparked an idea: to create a special leather specifically for aprons, crafted in Europe to meet the highest expectations.
From Concept to ROHLEDER Aprons
The idea began to take shape in 2019 when I joined forces with two friends. One of them designed the signature apron style that still defines ROHLEDER’s collection today. We travelled to Italy to work closely with a tannery and develop a leather that matched our vision—lightweight, supple, and beautifully natural, while meeting the highest standards of quality and comfort.
Eventually, we found a small, family-run workshop in Portugal that could handcraft our aprons to the exact quality we were looking for. From a spark of inspiration in Switzerland, to a design born in Austria, leather developed in Italy, and production in Portugal—every ROHLEDER apron is a truly European creation.
Because we use 100% natural cowhide without unnecessary synthetic coatings, all natural leather markings remain visible. This means that when you own a ROHLEDER apron, you’re not just wearing a product—you’re wearing a unique piece of craftsmanship with its own story.
[Update 2023]: Today, Our aprons are produced in Austria.
Evolving a Product That Already Embodies Quality
We’ve also developed elegant packaging to ensure that each ROHLEDER apron is perfect as a gift. But we never stop improving. One of our proudest steps forward has been offering personalisation. Customers can now have their aprons embossed with their chosen text or logos—or even embroidered with coloured designs.
A personalised leather apron adds a truly distinctive branding element for any company or team, and turns every apron into a one-of-a-kind statement piece. And while our customisable apron is a significant chapter in the ROHLEDER story, it’s only one of many. We’re continuing to evolve—just like the leather itself.