Why Emelgi
When I first began seriously exploring leathercraft, one of the biggest hurdles I faced was choosing a name. I kept landing on Mufti Leather Goods - MLG for short - after my family name. It made sense, but it felt too obvious and not quite distinctive or creative enough.
That’s when my dad suggested something unexpected: why not use the phonetic spelling of MLG? And just like that, Emelgi was born - a creative twist on a simple name, one that still carried my identity but gave it a life of its own.
What's the vision
Emelgi Leather Goods is rooted in a deep appreciation for the natural world. Our designs draw inspiration from organic shapes, textures and colours - whether that’s the soft ripple of a breeze, the crash of ocean waves, or the undulating hills of the English countryside. Each product is an attempt to bottle a moment of that beauty and translate it into something tactile and timeless. That's where the tree in our logo comes from - an everlasting symbol of nature.
But our connection to nature isn’t just visual - it’s ethical too. That’s why we only use vegetable-tanned leather, a traditional and environmentally responsible method that uses natural tannins from tree bark, leaves, and fruit. We never use chrome-tanned leather, which relies on toxic chemicals and harms ecosystems.
Vegetable-tanning also gives each piece its own personality - subtle marks, natural grain, and an evolving patina that deepens with age. No two items are ever the same. Your wallet or cardholder becomes a living record of your journey, it holds and remembers your memories - maturing beautifully with time and use.
At Emelgi, we believe possessions should age gracefully, not be discarded. We make goods to wear in, not wear out.
Who's the maker
Salaam! Hello! Peace!
I’m Usmaan, the hands behind Emelgi Leather Goods.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved using my hands to build and tinker. As a child, my mum would say in Urdu that I had a chul (چل) in my fingers - a kind of impulsive restlessness. I was always pulling things apart to understand how they worked (even if I couldn’t always put them back together!).
That urge never left me. Even as I entered the corporate world and settled into a 9–5, that chul kept growing and itching. My love of craft, nature, and slow, deliberate work was being pushed aside by emails, deadlines and the concrete jungle.
In an effort to reconnect, I took a blacksmithing course to forge a kukri knife for camping. But when it came to storing it safely, I had no sheath - so I decided to make one. That first leather project - designing, cutting, saddle-stitching - was rough, but I was instantly captivated by the scent, feel, and rhythm of the process. Looking back, the sheath isn't great - but, I keep it and still use it as a reminder of where I started and what set me on a journey of exploring a craft that I love.
Making that sheath is when I fell in love with leathercraft. It wasn’t just another hobby or a commercial venture. It became a grounding force - something that brought peace and subdued my chul. A way to slow down in a fast world and create things that last - one stitch at a time.
And that’s what Emelgi is all about. Every item you see is made slowly, by hand, with intention. Every stitch is considered. Every product is built to last. Because when you buy from Emelgi, you’re not just buying leather - you’re buying something personal, crafted with care, and built to carry your story.