Buying for a colleague can be challenging. You want something considered but that shows thought. Something practical that they'll actually use.
A hand-made leather diary cover sits in exactly that spot. It's practical, it's a real investment piece, and it doesn't come with any of the awkwardness of a gift that's trying too hard.
What makes it a good fit for a work gift
A leather cover works well as a colleague gift for a few practical reasons:
- It's useful every single day. Whether they're a diary person or a notebook person, it goes with them to every meeting, every desk, every train journey.
- It's not disposable. Bridle leather, the kind used in saddlery, is built to be used hard for years - not put in a drawer.
- It's refillable. One cover, refillable each year, means they can keep and use it for a long time.
- It feels considered, not corporate. There's a story behind it - a small UK workshop, a family tannery, a craft that's dying out elsewhere - which makes it feel like a proper gift rather than a gesture.
The story behind the leather
Our Leather Covers are made in partnership with Doe Leather, a small workshop in Walsall run by Deborah Thomas. Deborah's family has been in leather for generations - her great-great-grandfather founded W Pearce and Co, a Northampton tannery that once produced linings for shoes and hats and, during the First World War, sheepskin jacket linings for troops.
When that original factory closed, Deborah and her father rescued the swatch books of Master Patterns dating back to the 1920s. Small pieces of those original swatches are now sewn into each Mark+Fold leather cover as the pen loop - so every single cover carries a genuinely one-of-a-kind piece of that history. No two are quite the same. You can read the full story of the collaboration on our journal: Meet the Maker: Doe Leather.
We've worked with Doe Leather since 2017, producing one small batch a year. It's not mass-produced, and it's not always available - which, if you're buying a gift for someone you rate, is rather the point.
Why bridle leather specifically
The leather itself is bridle hide - the top grade used in saddlery and belting, chosen for its strength. It's vegetable-tanned, a slower and more natural process that avoids the chemicals used in most tanneries. Both sides are finished with wax and oil rather than an artificial coating, so the leather is left free to age. Over time it darkens, softens and picks up the marks of wherever it's been - a desk, a bag, a commute. The patina just gets better with age.
Choosing the right one for a colleague
Each cover is designed to fit an A5 Notebook or Diary, so the refill inside is flexible depending on what they use.
- Doe for Mark+Fold Leather Cover - Avocado - £225
- Doe for Mark+Fold Leather Cover - Brown - £225
- 2027 Diary + Leather Cover Set - £252, if you'd like to gift the diary and cover together
This year's batch brings back Havana Brown in place of black, alongside Avocado Green - a rare shade specially made for us at a UK tannery using natural techniques. As it's a small annual batch, once a colour sells out it won't be back until next year's run, which is worth knowing if you're buying ahead of a specific date.
Frequently asked questions
Are leather diary covers a good gift for a colleague?
Yes - they're practical, long-lasting and suit most work styles, without being overly personal. They work well for leaving-do gifts, milestone birthdays at work, or a genuinely nice thank you.
Will it fit any diary or notebook?
Our leather covers are designed specifically to fit our A5 Notebooks and Diaries, so any refill in that format will work.
How long does the leather last?
Bridle leather is chosen for its durability and is designed to last for years of daily use. It develops a patina over time rather than wearing out.
Is the leather sustainably made?
The leather is vegetable-tanned, a slower, more natural process that avoids the toxic chemicals used in most conventional tanning.
How many are made each year?
Just one small batch a year, hand-made in Walsall by Doe Leather. Colours vary annually and don't return once sold out.
