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OUR STORY

"When my father first started the business in 1934, he bought a leather suitcase factory"

- Robert Ettinger

Founded by Gerry Ettinger in 1934, the company is still family owned and run by his elder son, Robert Ettinger. We are one of the few remaining British luxury leather goods companies still manufacturing in the UK and pride ourselves on designing and handcrafting only the finest leather goods.

In 1996, in recognition of the work carried out for the Royal Household, Ettinger of London was appointed with a Royal Warrant to HRH the Prince of Wales.

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1930s The Foundation Years

Gerry Ettinger founded Ettinger in 1934. Having worked as a film producer in Italy and Germany (where he worked with Marlene Dietrich), he used his extensive contacts in continental Europe and England to create a range of luxury gifts, which became renowned throughout the UK for quality and innovation.

1940s Recovering from the War

After a pause in the 1940s during the war, Gerry returned to London where he was commissioned by Asprey’s to find leather goods which were then in very short supply. Using his connections and with the growth in international trade, the business became very successful.

1950s & 60s Business Growth

As the master of five languages, Gerry Ettinger was known for his cross-border deals. In the 1950s he acquired a small leather goods manufacturing business, which had been making leather goods in London since the 19th century, and he used this foundation of craftsmanship and design to build Ettinger.

1970s & 80s The Consolidation Years

Gerry Ettinger continued to work in the business until well into his 80s and saw the transformation of the company into one of the most respected leather goods designers and manufacturers in the UK. In 1975 the Saddle Hide Collection was launched.

1990s The Recognition Years

In 1990, Robert, his elder son took over the reins and continued the tradition of craftsmanship and quality as well as bringing in some more contemporary designs. He has since further 'internationalised' and developed the business in Asia, South Africa, Australia, and the US. All these regions have become very important to the Ettinger brand.

hello
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1930s The Foundation Years

Gerry Ettinger founded Ettinger in 1934. Having worked as a film producer in Italy and Germany (where he worked with Marlene Dietrich), he used his extensive contacts in continental Europe and England to create a range of luxury gifts, which became renowned throughout the UK for quality and innovation.

1940s Recovering from the War

After a pause in the 1940s during the war, Gerry returned to London where he was commissioned by Asprey’s to find leather goods which were then in very short supply. Using his connections and with the growth in international trade, the business became very successful.

1950s & 60s Business Growth

As the master of five languages, Gerry Ettinger was known for his cross-border deals. In the 1950s he acquired a small leather goods manufacturing business, which had been making leather goods in London since the 19th century, and he used this foundation of craftsmanship and design to build Ettinger.

1970s & 80s The Consolidation Years

Gerry Ettinger continued to work in the business until well into his 80s and saw the transformation of the company into one of the most respected leather goods designers and manufacturers in the UK. In 1975 the Saddle Hide Collection was launched.

1990s The Recognition Years

In 1990, Robert, his elder son took over the reins and continued the tradition of craftsmanship and quality as well as bringing in some more contemporary designs. He has since further 'internationalised' and developed the business in Asia, South Africa, Australia, and the US. All these regions have become very important to the Ettinger brand.

THE FOUNDER

Born in Prussia, Gerry Ettinger founded the family firm in London in 1934. Thanks to his natural ability for languages and his engaging character, he'd worked in his native Germany, Italy and Switzerland. He moved to London in 1933 and found employment as the UK representative for several German factories producing leather goods, jewellery and gifts.

In 1934, Herion of Pforzheim – a German leather goods manufacturer – offered him the exclusive agency for the UK and he was set up with an office in Regent Street in London. He began supplying the best department stores of the time with unique luxury gifts and leather goods and the business soon became “G Ettinger Ltd”. With Asprey’s, Harrods and Fortnum’s becoming regular customers, his reputation rapidly grew. He worked late into his 90s and passed over the reins of the company to his eldest son, Robert, in 1990.

ROBERT ETTINGER

Brought up in London, Vienna and France, Robert quickly developed his father’s gift for languages and curiosity towards new cultures. With his younger brother, Paul, he displayed evident sportsmanlike abilities and particularly enjoyed Alpine skiing.

Keen to discover the world for himself, Robert went off into business apprenticeships abroad from an early age. First in Germany, learning all aspects of the marble gifting industry, then in Canada, where he spent several years working in luxury jewellery retail with Mappins.

ROYAL WARRANT

In 1980, Robert entered the family business and in 1995 took over the reins from his father, Gerry Ettinger, when he became the Managing Director of Ettinger, London.

When the company was granted a Royal Warrant to HRH The Prince of Wales in 1996, Robert set-off to build Ettinger as an internationally recognised brand whilst maintaining its crucially important UK design and manufacturing base.

Robert has always ensured Ettinger leather goods remain top quality products, on a par with all the big international luxury brands, ensuring the company’s reputation abroad kept growing.

ROBERT ETTINGER

Robert’s hobbies are snow skiing, long distance cycling (particularly overseas and in Japan, Oman, Uruguay, India and Greece to date), daily early morning swims, playing the guitar and yoga.

Robert loves to travel and continues to explore new countries and destinations every year.

hello
hello

THE FOUNDER

Born in Prussia, Gerry Ettinger founded the family firm in London in 1934. Thanks to his natural ability for languages and his engaging character, he'd worked in his native Germany, Italy and Switzerland. He moved to London in 1933 and found employment as the UK representative for several German factories producing leather goods, jewellery and gifts.

In 1934, Herion of Pforzheim – a German leather goods manufacturer – offered him the exclusive agency for the UK and he was set up with an office in Regent Street in London. He began supplying the best department stores of the time with unique luxury gifts and leather goods and the business soon became “G Ettinger Ltd”. With Asprey’s, Harrods and Fortnum’s becoming regular customers, his reputation rapidly grew. He worked late into his 90s and passed over the reins of the company to his eldest son, Robert, in 1990.

ROBERT ETTINGER

Brought up in London, Vienna and France, Robert quickly developed his father’s gift for languages and curiosity towards new cultures. With his younger brother, Paul, he displayed evident sportsmanlike abilities and particularly enjoyed Alpine skiing.

Keen to discover the world for himself, Robert went off into business apprenticeships abroad from an early age. First in Germany, learning all aspects of the marble gifting industry, then in Canada, where he spent several years working in luxury jewellery retail with Mappins.

ROYAL WARRANT

In 1980, Robert entered the family business and in 1995 took over the reins from his father, Gerry Ettinger, when he became the Managing Director of Ettinger, London.

When the company was granted a Royal Warrant to HRH The Prince of Wales in 1996, Robert set-off to build Ettinger as an internationally recognised brand whilst maintaining its crucially important UK design and manufacturing base.

Robert has always ensured Ettinger leather goods remain top quality products, on a par with all the big international luxury brands, ensuring the company’s reputation abroad kept growing.

ROBERT ETTINGER

Robert’s hobbies are snow skiing, long distance cycling (particularly overseas and in Japan, Oman, Uruguay, India and Greece to date), daily early morning swims, playing the guitar and yoga.

Robert loves to travel and continues to explore new countries and destinations every year.

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  • The Gentlemen | A Netflix Collaboration

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    Ettinger, together with Avantcha Tea, Truefitt & Hill and Henry Poole, have come together to partner with Netflix, creating an exclusive collection of typically British products in celebration of the...

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    Ettinger, together with Avantcha Tea, Truefitt & Hill and Henry Poole, have come together to partner with Netflix, creating an exclusive collection of typically British products in celebration of the...

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