Miu Miu ‘Making of Old’ Showcases Innovation and Craftsmanship

Miu Miu is using its “Making of Old” project to spotlight how leather craft and material innovation can work together to create pieces that already feel lived in from day one. The focus is on revealing the work behind the leather rather than hiding it, across footwear, bags, and ready to wear.

How the leather is treated

The project starts with careful sourcing of skins selected for character and natural variation, not for a completely uniform surface. Artisans then work each hide by hand through a sequence of sanding, washing, and brushing steps that build a patina and a subtle sense of history.

This is a layered process: the leather is repeatedly handled to bring out base tones, create tonal contrasts, and add a discreet sheen without heavy, plastic like coatings. The brand describes it as a way to preserve the material’s natural beauty and signs of ageing, rather than erasing them.

Innovation behind the craft

While the work is highly manual, Miu Miu frames “Making of Old” as a research driven project. Time, process control, and finishing formulas are tuned so the leather keeps its integrity and softness even after sanding and washing, and can stand up to long term wear.

The result is newness with a built in patina, pieces that look gently worn but are structurally robust, using innovation to support, rather than disguise, traditional handwork. It’s a deliberate move away from perfectly uniform, untouched surfaces toward controlled, designed ageing.

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Making of Old Products

“Making of Old” treatments appear across multiple categories, not just one hero bag. Loafers, Chelsea, and lace up boots, buckle styles, and leather outerwear like bombers and aviators all use this aged leather approach.

Iconic bags such as the Arcadie, Pocket, and Wander are part of the selection on Miu Miu’s site, described as made from leather with a refined, lived in appeal and tonal contrasts that highlight the treatment. Signs of wear are presented as distinctive features, making each piece slightly different.

Why it matters

In a luxury market that often chases pristine finishes and rapid turnover, “Making of Old” reframes visible ageing as a design goal. Miu Miu presents wear, creasing, and subtle fading as proof of life, encouraging owners to keep and live with these pieces rather than treat them as fragile showpieces.