Rich, rustic and full of character.
Cherry Brand is a boutique leather goods studio in southern Tasmania.
Founded by craftsman Mark Benz, Cherry Brand specialises in creating artisan leather coasters and menu binders for bars, restaurants, and distilleries across Australia – and beyond.
Cherry Brand pieces are handcrafted from start to finish.
Preserving traditional values and techniques of the leathercraft industry, each hide is examined, measured, cut, shaped, sewn and finished in the Cherry Brand studio. The patina derived from varying leather types is important for the ageing of each piece. Sourcing high quality materials is fundamental for creating durable and timeless leather goods.
Cherry Brand uses a traditional hot stamping technique to customise your products with your business logo.
The look and feel is rich and deep. Debossing in this way preserves the use of traditional techniques, rather than laser cutting which breaks the surface of the leather.
Meet the maker… Mark Benz
“I come from a family of carpenters. On my mother’s side – which is where the Cherry name comes from – and my father’s too.”
As a child, I remember watching my grandfather and uncle making and restoring what they needed, rather than buying new. They were always busy wood turning, cutting, welding, furniture-making, and even dabbling in concrete creations. I happily took plenty of opportunities to learn from my grandfather and, as I got older, he let me join in his projects. Restoration and creation became a part of who I am, and a way of life, here in Tasmania.
“I started studying leathercraft techniques from Japanese texts and learnt to shape and fit the material to create more complex patterns.”
Since founding Cherry Brand 12 years ago, I’ve taken on a range of projects including upholstery, clothing, footwear, bags, wallets, belts, corsets, and of course our signature range of menu binders and coasters. There’s something about working with leather that always captivates me. It’s in the rugged earthiness, the smell, the feel.