Hydrology

Something that a lot of fashion lovers have been waiting for, a solution for leather and suede and them not getting ruined by wet things. If only jerry Seinfeld had this when he had his suede jacket, he might still have it today. The solution for rain comes from a very thin coating on the leather or suede and it allows for waterproofing, so much so that you can wash your leather jacket in the washing machine and then dry it in the drier.

[business week]
Stainless steel shows fingerprints, plastic surfaces scratch, natural fabrics tend to wrinkle, and windows tend to show dust and soiling. Yet one of the major current trends in materials is in the area of coatings and surface treatments to solve these problems (they're not quite there yet with stainless steel). Such coatings are superthin, often to the point of invisibility and are meant to be durable.

One of the latest technological breakthroughs is called Hydrology, a treatment that allows you to throw your favorite leather jacket into the washing machine and the tumble dryer. The treatment occurs during the tanning process and is suitable for both leather and suede; it is absorbed into the hide, giving it more durability than a surface coating. This means that the leather maintains its breathability, color-fastness, and reassuring aroma while offering stain resistance. In addition, unlike surface coatings, this process does not affect the surface texture or the "hand" of the hide.

DuPont, the developer of Hydrology, has certified a number of tanners to use the process for apparel and accessory leathers and works closely with them to ensure that the effect is maximized for specific leather and suede types. The process will be used for applications such as footwear, apparel, fashion accessories, and furniture, with other applications in the pipeline.