Leather Products by Kenton Sorenson
Mr. Sorenson grew up in a simple, no nonsense Scandinavian farm culture in North Minnesota, he says this taught him an appreciation for the basic necessities of life. Kenton started making leather bags about twenty years ago after seeing a woman with a natural leather book bag in a night class that he was attending.
Originally a barber, he started making leather goods in his own time and was selling every now and then to friends. What’s interesting about his previous profession is how he says it translated over to his work with leather, such as the lines, shape and material. He says, “There are lines that actually express a philosophy of life, and I always looked for them when I did hair”.
Personally I like products that have substance, such as a proper meaning and an interesting story. There has to be authenticity and Kenton Sorenson has it in an abundance. His work is quite minimal in it’s appearance, which probably links back to his Scandinavian roots, and has an emphasis on longevity and functionality. The end product is something that’s timeless which gets better with age.
As with any great creative and craftsman, they have lots of great quotes and sayings and I was deeply inspired by some of his words that I read in a recent interview. I thought I would leave a paragraph below that resonated with me and explains a lot about what we do here, even if it is unintentionally.
“I believe people, especially young people, are looking for a simple and authentic lifestyle. I’ve discovered that simplicity, in any application, requires a continual discarding of anything that’s not essential. And it’s hard to make something look easy. Chaos and confusion take over when we take the path of least resistance.
I hope my products can express what people are moving towards, a return to things that last, instead of being disposable, and that symbolize what’s important to them.
I picture a man who’s not confused about what it means to be a man. He’s masculine, but not a Neanderthal, he’s thoughtful, but not a wuss. He doesn’t need to prove his manhood to anyone, especially to himself. He shows respect for himself and others by the way he dresses and behaves.”
- Kenton Sorenson
lovely!!!