In 1993, Materialised was the first to bring Crypton performance fabrics to the Australasian design market, transforming expectations around textile performance in commercial interiors. Today, we are proud to lead once more with another game-changing innovation: Crypton Leather.
Cortina has appointed us as the only authorised distributor of Crypton Leather in Australia and New Zealand, giving design professionals unprecedented access to a leather that defies traditional limitations.
What makes Crypton Leather revolutionary?
Crypton Leather blends natural beauty with breakthrough performance technology. While retaining the luxurious look, feel, and smell of premium leathers, it offers protection previously unimaginable in natural hide.
The tannery embeds a water-based, solvent-free protective topcoat into the leather during the tanning process. This advanced barrier is:
- Stain, water, wear, fade, and abrasion resistant
- Antibacterial and UV-resistant
- Durable enough to withstand high-traffic commercial environments, even when applied to delicate Aniline and Semi-Aniline leathers
Crypton Leather doesn’t just offer protection, it offers confidence. You can safely use common household cleaners like Clorox and bleach, eliminating the need for specialty maintenance products.
Leather, redefined
In high-end residential homes, hospitality, aged care, or office spaces where performance is non-negotiable, Crypton Leather is the smart choice.
This is why Melbourne company, Articolo Studios, specified it for their amazing new collection of furniture and lighting. This collection introduces a complement of sculptural pieces to enhance any interior environment, all made in Melbourne by local artisans.
Articolo crafts their products using the finest quality materials. “They are a fusion of art and sophisticated engineering,” explains Founder & Creative Director, Nicci Kavals. “We embrace the inherent beauty of natural and machined materials and favour a palette of solid metals, timber, and leather.”
“Each object reveals and revels in the unique imprint of the makers hand an echo of humanity that cannot be replicated in mass production.”
Stain Resistance & Colour Palette
“The stain resistant treatment to the leather is what stood out to us, as all our pieces are designed to stand the test of time and be relevant in 20 years,” explains Nicci. “The availability of colours also suited our design intent.”
Articolo’s aesthetic is layered, textured and quiet whilst also being contemporary yet timeless. Not driven by trends or fads, they selected a palette of muted colour Crypton Leathers. “These colours are confident, elegant, refined, timeless” says Nicci.
Expertise & Collaboration
“Working with the Materialised team was a brilliant experience. They were incredibly knowledgeable and collaborative, offering clear guidance on which leathers would be best suited in terms of both application and long-term durability.”
– Nicci Kavals, Founder & Creative Director, Articolo Studios.
“Once we had a direction on the colour palette, they were quick to provide sampling, which made the selection process seamless and enjoyable,” adds Nicci. “Their support played a key role in helping us realise the material vision for the collection.”
Setting the Benchmark for Safety and Sustainability
Designers and specifiers can rest easy knowing Crypton Leather is at the forefront of chemical compliance and environmental responsibility:
- Free from harmful substances such as fluoride, C6, PFAs, PFOAs, PVC, phthalates, and heavy metals
- Certified by SCS for ultra-low VOCs, contributing toward LEED certification
- REACH compliant and cleared from California Prop 65 warnings
- Ethically sourced—six of the Crypton leathers are from a Gold-rated tannery and one from a Silver-rated tannery
Moreover, these credentials support sustainable design goals while offering elevated performance across bars, hotels, aged care, and commercial fit-outs.
Why Materialised?
As pioneers in performance textiles, Materialised brings the world’s most trusted innovations to the local design community.
Our exclusive partnership with Cortina for Crypton Leather reflects our continued investment in first-to-market excellence and our deep understanding of what designers need: beauty, performance, and peace of mind.
“The Materialised leathers have been a pleasure to work with; their soft yet durable nature has given our makers the confidence to upholster even the most intricate pieces with ease. To date, they’ve encountered little to no issues, which speaks volumes about the quality and performance of the product.”
– Nicci Kavals, Founder & Creative Director, Articolo Studios.
Experience the difference. Contact our team to request samples or schedule a consultation.
Interview with Nicci Kavals, Articolo Studios Founder and Creative Director.
Articolo Campaign Photography: Chris Budgeon | Digital Artist: Lynda Owen Creative | Renders & Visualisations: Clinkr Studio
About the Author: Catherine McGowan
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