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Untying a Complicated Knot: Research Into Producing Sustainable Leather Goods

Last Updated: 04/28/2026

Case Organization

Canvas & Hyde New York

 Luxury handcrafted leather bags designed for timeless style and durability 

https://www.canvasandhyde.com/

Case Contributors

Case Disciplines

Corporate Social Responsibility Operations

Skills & Expertise

Alternative Materials Analysis Brand Positioning Collaboration Tools Competitive Analysis Consumer Behavior Analysis Content Development Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy Crisis Communication Data Analysis Data Visualization Environmental Impact Assessment Ethical Sourcing Strategy Generative AI Tools Insight Generation Leather Industry Knowledge Market Research Materials Science Awareness Messaging Strategy Presentation Development Problem Solving Product Lifecycle Analysis Public Relations Strategy Qualitative Analysis Quantitative Analysis Secondary Research Stakeholder Analysis Strategic Recommendation Development Strategic Thinking Supply Chain Analysis Sustainability Analysis Sustainable Innovation Trend Analysis Visualization Tools

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Background & Objective

The challenge or opportunity you are trying to address for the organization.

The craft of using leather to make durable, wearable, and usable goods has a longstanding place in human history. The tanning of hides to produce leather shoes, clothing, and shelters can be traced to the Stone Age - more than 5,000 years ago!Canvas & Hyde is a modern, global company that produces high-end, high-quality, hand-crafted bags constructed of the finest materials, including leathers and hides.
Learning Objectives

This is what students will learn as they complete the case.

This case challenges students to evaluate sustainability trade-offs in traditional and alternative materials while developing data-driven recommendations and communication strategies. 
Students completing this case will be able to: 
  • Understand the structure, scale, and key drivers of the global leather goods and luxury fashion industry. 
  • Analyze the environmental, ethical, and economic impacts of traditional leather production. 
  • Compare animal-based leather with alternative materials (e.g., vegan, plant-based, synthetic) using sustainability criteria. 
  • Evaluate consumer attitudes, purchasing behaviors, and social influences related to sustainable fashion choices. 
  • Assess emerging technologies and innovations in sustainable material sourcing and production. 
  • Identify viable sustainable sourcing strategies aligned with brand positioning and product quality expectations. 
  • Develop a structured comparison framework (e.g., matrix) to support evidence-based decision-making. 
  • Formulate clear, balanced, and credible recommendations on sustainability trade-offs for business leaders. 
  • Design public relations messaging and tools to address stakeholder concerns and communicate sustainability efforts. 
  • Apply critical thinking to navigate complex, often conflicting sustainability narratives in modern supply chains.
Key Action Items

These are activities and action items you might want to complete in order to achieve the expected outcomes.

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Milestone #4
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