Best Custom Leather Shop
STAFF PICK Dark Star Leather, 2940 N. Swan RoadGENUINE IN-HOUSE hand-cut, hand-made custom leather work has nearly become a lost art. Dark Star is one of the few leather shops left where you can sit down with the craftsman and carefully design your order.
As you enter Dark Star Leather, you'll first notice the sensuous musky aroma. Your eye is drawn to a dramatic black-and-red display, featuring a brief case, planner, wallet and belt. Right away, you know this isn't the business accessories section at Best or Penney's; consider the beautiful piece with latigo overlay, alligator inlay, sterling silver conchos and pigskin lining. Most of the brief cases are made of sturdy latigo, the same leather used for saddles, which can withstand whatever abuse you want to put your work gear through--drive over it, drop in on a runway, spill coffee on top.
Started by two teenage buddies in 1972, Dark Star has developed an international clientele. Repeat customers come from as far as Australia, Japan, Nigeria, Israel and France for customized leather work of distinction. A New York interior designer who ordered a custom sample case tells of stepping into the elevator of his New York City office building and having another passenger inquire if his case was made by Dark Star. A similar story is told by a visitor from England who has returned for additional accessories.
Linda Ronstadt, Robin Williams, John Landis, The Judds and Ringo Starr are among the celebrities who have placed numerous custom orders at Dark Star. Ask George Lucas what his favorite piece of clothing is, and he will tell you it's his Dark Star belt.
Dark Star has become known for its trademark inlaid designs of snake skin and other cool materials. Intricate detail can be found in all of the craftwork: handbags, address books and numerous cases for eyeglasses, cigarettes and keys. In addition to the more frivolous orders such as lizard-skin toothpick, calculator and business-card cases, they also design specialized accessories for the physically challenged. Hard-to-find items, such as easy-open purses and wheelchair satchels, have been popular.
Owner Toyo Gilman first made a braided leather wrist strap for his mother, who was visually impaired, to carry her cane. The friends who worked with her at the Tucson Blind and Visually Impaired Association were so impressed, they ordered similar accessories for themselves.
From the practical to the extravagant, you name it, they can make it--guitar straps, script book covers, shaving kits and photo albums to $600 artist portfolios. Where else are you going to find a teal and magenta planner-book inlaid with turquoise and a two-tone lizard skin monogram?
--Chelley Salmon
