HUMA MPhil Thesis Presentation - From Factories to Handicrafts: The Artisanal Revival of Hong Kong's Leather Industry in a Globalized World

Abstract:                                                                   

From the industrial manufacturing peak in the mid-20th century to the artisanal revival in the 2010s, the leather industry and its craftsmen in Hong Kong have experienced significant shifts, reflecting broader transformations in the city’s economic and cultural landscape. This study seeks to examine the historical development of the leather industry in Hong Kong and explore how leather artisans over the past decade have navigated the opportunities and challenges of shifting the declining leather manufacturing industry towards a more artistic and refined approach, emphasizing artistry and sophistication in leather products. In response to the gig economy, which refers to services transacted through digital platforms, some of the leather artisans have adopted the “Slasher” approach that balances multiple careers for various reasons and utilizes online social media extensively for promotions and sales. A qualitative approach was adopted, combining participant observation with interviews of contemporary leather artisans. The findings reveal that while mass production of leather products has declined in local manufacturing, together with the migration of factories to Mainland China in the 1980s, the rise of digital platforms has enabled a new generation of leather artisans to sustain their craft as part of the gig economy. These insights highlight the resilience of artisanal practice, with the aid of NGOs and institutional funding, in the face of economic challenges under globalization and the neoliberal nature of the city. By bridging industrial heritage with contemporary creativity, this study underscores the role of leather artisans in redefining local craftsmanship within a globalized framework. In addition, this study also suggests avenues for further research on the integration of industrial manufacturing craftsmanship into creative and artistic economies, as well as its implications for cultural preservation, individual identity, and sustainable development.