Sustainability

Our “Couch - to - Collar” Story
New lease of life for London's sofas

At Hughie's Dog Accessories, sustainability isn't just a buzzword – it's what we do, every single day. Our Couch-to-Collar collection was born from one simple idea: what if beautiful, soft leather from discarded sofas could be turned into something special for dogs instead of ending up in landfill?

Every collar starts with a local story. I personally collect worn-out or unwanted sofas from homes and workshops around Southwark, London, carefully selecting leather that still has plenty of character and life left in it. Some pieces show small creases or patina, and that's exactly what makes each collar unique.

Step 1: Salvaging the leather

The first step is rescuing the material. Each sofa is stripped back by hand, and every section of usable leather is cleaned, treated and prepared for cutting. No two hides are ever the same – the variety of tones, grains and natural markings means every batch of collars looks slightly different.

Image suggestion: a stack of salvaged sofa leather pieces beside cutting tools.

Step 2: Crafting by hand

Using traditional leather-working tools, we cut, edge and stitch each collar in our South London workspace. The leather is matched with high-quality buckles and D-rings, chosen for strength and longevity. Every hole, stud and fold is done with care — a reminder that sustainability doesn't have to compromise on style or quality.

Image suggestion: a craftsman's hand aligning the buckle end of a collar.

Step 3: Adding Hughie's touch

Each collar is finished with our signature engraved logo, polished edges and optional matching belt loop tag. Because the material is upcycled, no two collars are identical – they carry their own history. Think of it as a little piece of London's past, reborn for your dog to wear with pride.

Image suggestion: finished collars lined up, showing colour variations.

Why upcycled matters

By repurposing leather that would otherwise be thrown away, every collar we make: