A LOOK INTO THE INCARNATION LEATHER UNIVERSE

Incarnation combines Japanese leather-craft discipline with centuries-old Italian tanning tradition to produce high-end leatherwear, footwear and accessories. Founded in 2009 by Keita Ogawa — after years of mastering leather techniques under one of Japan’s most respected leather artisans — Incarnation relocated to Florence (and later Perugia) to develop its own path.

Every piece is crafted using premium hides — often vegetable-tanned leather, horsehide or similarly rich skins — treated with meticulous methods that produce supple, textured surfaces. The final result is leather garments, boots, bags and accessories that stand at the intersection of rawness, refinement, and avant-garde aesthetics.

Incarnation doesn’t follow seasons or fleeting trends — it creates timeless leatherwear with personality, depth and an unmistakable sense of material integrity.

ORIGINS & CRAFT: FROM JAPANESE ROOTS TO ITALIAN LEATHER HERITAGE

Keita Ogawa’s journey with leather began in Japan; after training under the renowned artisan Isamu Katayama (Backlash), he gained mastery in tanning, dyeing, hand-stitching and bespoke leather construction.

In 2009, Ogawa founded Incarnation and relocated to Italy — a deliberate decision to fuse Japanese precision with Italian leather-making heritage. From raw hides to finished goods, the brand maintains full control over material selection, tanning and craftsmanship. This bridging of cultures gives Incarnation a unique edge: garments and accessories that carry both the subtle discipline of Japanese craftsmanship and the raw, tactile soul of Italian leatherwork.

DESIGN LANGUAGE: RAW ELEGANCE, HAND-FINISHED DETAIL & SCULPTURAL SILHOUETTES

Incarnation’s aesthetic is defined by a few core principles:

• hand-dyed, garment-treated leather — rich, aged surfaces with depth and irregular texture
• structural but organic silhouettes — from leather jackets and long coats to tailored trousers and boots that drape, mold and evolve
• visible handcrafted details — hand-stitching, raw edges, layered panels and intentional asymmetry
• versatility in items — jackets, outerwear, shoes/boots, bags and accessories that form a complete leather-wear wardrobe

The resulting identity is neither polished luxury nor rough workwear — it is a thoughtful hybrid: rugged yet refined, structured yet alive, classic yet avant-garde.

LEATHER, TIME & TRANSFORMATION: PHILOSOPHY OF PATINA AND WEAR

Central to Incarnation’s philosophy is respect for leather as a living material. Rather than masking imperfections, the brand embraces them: natural grain variations, subtle creases and the unpredictable changes that come with time.

Leather pieces are designed to age with the wearer — developing patina, softening and molding to the body — turning garments into personal objects shaped by experience. This philosophy aligns with the slow-made, crafted-with-intent mindset, elevating each item from mere clothing to a companion.

A NICHE FOR CONNOISSEURS: WHO INCARNATION SPEAKS TO

Incarnation appeals to those who appreciate:

• authentic craftsmanship — from hide selection to hand-finished seams
• material integrity — genuine leather, natural tanning, depth of texture
• aesthetic confidence — bold leatherwear that stands out subtly, not loudly
• timeless style — pieces built to last, age gracefully and transcend trends
• avant-garde minimalism — expressive silhouettes grounded in raw materiality

It is a brand for individuals who view clothing as an extension of self — tactile, honest and transformative.