Jun 24, 2024
The Leather Shop
- By
Chiara Ferrari
The Leather Shop
Jun 24, 2024
by
Chiara Ferrari
The Leather Shop
Jun 24, 2024
by
Chiara Ferrari
A Spotlight on Inca’s ‘Golden Years’ of Leather Making
The Leather Shop
Jun 24, 2024
- By
Chiara Ferrari
The Leather Shop
Jun 24, 2024
- By
Chiara Ferrari
The Leather Shop
Jun 24, 2024
- By
Chiara Ferrari
T

o talk about Inca is to talk about leather, tradition, production and craft.

The footwear industry started at the beginning of the 20th century in Inca and later expanded to leather goods. It is an integral part of Inca’s history, making it the home to many leather workers and a worldwide leader in the market. To continue this legacy and celebrate its value, the Museum of Footwear and Industry created a new ecosystem around the industry and its community. While holding an incredible permanent collection, it is constantly growing by collaborating with local brands, educational institutions and beyond. It’s a “Museo comunitario” (made by people) , explains the director Sebastià Mascaró , who enthusiastically shared his vision and commitment to the program.

The museum is housed in a former military building, refurbished by architect Guillermo Reynés Font with exhibition spaces, conference rooms and workshops, spread across two floors. The ground floor is hosting “Leather Factory Shop”, a temporary exhibition curated by Yadira Fernández with Biel Company and named after the business model set in the 50s by the pioneer of leather goods on the island, Antonio Ramis Tortella of Manufacturas Ramis.

Glove production, Courtesy Museum of Footwear and Industry
Archival image from the Museum of Footwear and Industry

The exhibition showcases all the aspects around their model and leather products: from manufacturing machines and tools for production, to the branding, the fairs and the shop displays. It’s a complete journey through the process that made the leather industry so powerful and international over the “golden years” of Inca.

Brands include Yanko, Camper, Farrutx, Ramcoll, Lottusse, Carmina Albadalejo,Vallados and many more, with a variety of goods ranging from gloves to bags, belts and clothing. Amongst the exquisite pieces, is a silver leather bag from Yanko, featuring a print from an iconic William Klein movie, explaining the cultural and technical aperture of makers at that time. The bag belongs to Marlene Albaladejo (from Carmina/Yanko) who collaborated with the museum for this occasion. There were people who worked in these factories at the opening of the exhibition and some recognized themselves in the pictures exhibited. The local community was ecstatic.


Also on the ground floor, in the workshop space, the museum is currently showcasing artworks by contemporary art students from Adema University: students made use of the museum’s artefacts to produce their artworks. The first floor hosts the permanent collection, constantly evolving through the inputs of local businesses who are part of this legacy.

MUSEU DEL CALÇAT I DE LA INDÚSTRIA D’INCA

https://museu.incaciutat.com/

Amongst the exquisite pieces, is a silver leather bag from Yanko, featuring a print from an iconic William Klein movie, explaining the cultural and technical aperture of makers at that time.
Photo courtesy of Museum of Footwear and Industry
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