How the Guild Began
The New York Guild of Leathercraft began with a simple friendship.
Founded by Will Parra and Ben Lentini, the Guild grew from a shared experience. After working side by side in New York City making leather watch straps for more than three years, Will opened his own leather workshop in early 2025.
Although we continued to stay in touch, we both realized how much we missed the daily exchange that naturally happens when craftspeople share the same bench: asking questions, solving problems together, and simply talking about the work.
As we spent time catching up, we began wondering how many other leather artisans in New York were working in the same way: passionate about their craft, yet largely in isolation.
We discovered that while New York is home to an extraordinary number of talented makers, there were very few opportunities for leather craftspeople from different disciplines to meet, learn from one another, and build lasting relationships.
That conversation gradually became an idea.
In January 2026, we founded the New York Guild of Leathercraft to create the kind of community we wished had existed: a place where makers could share knowledge, exchange ideas, discover one another’s work, and strengthen the craft together.
The Guild continues to grow through the generosity, curiosity, and commitment of the people who choose to be part of it.
The New York Guild of Leathercraft 