Peter Davies & Earth Five

It was in Afghanistan in early 1969 where Peter began making small goat hide travel bags and passport pouches for other travellers passing through Afghanistan. That kind of leatherwork wasn't available in Afghanistan in those days, just heavy duty saddlery. That where it all began; at the Sha Foladi Hotel in Kabul.

It was the dawn of the new era.

Arriving back in Melbourne he was briefly the bagmaker in Stuff Leathery in Swanston Street, until he met another leatherworker, and late in 69 they opened EARTH Leatherworks in Glenferrie.

Then it was to London where EARTH II Leatherworks was born, creating leathergoods for the West End and Chelsea Boutiques.

Leaving EARTHII with the co-worker he had trained, Peter took off to New York where he lived and worked on a barge in the Hudson River, eventually opening EARTH III in Richmond, Staten Island, NYC, and some made for customers in Greenwich Village. That workshop too, was left with the co-worker. Both co-workers he had taught the trade and they carried on successfully for some years.

EARTH 4 was a moveable feast. Roaming the USA with tools in one bag and travel kit in the other and eventually arriving back in Melbourne to open yet another leather shop, Earthgate.

Then came EARTH FIVE. With the partnership of Peter and Gary revived and back in business EARTH FIVE Leatherworks made just about anything to order and supplied sandals and assorted belts and bags to many outlets around Australia and items for TV and Movies, - even Pirate Boots.

In 2015 Now it’s the full circle.

Earth Five in 2015, evolving from the ubiquitous EARTH locations, not as the Phoenix arising from the ashes but more as going back to one's roots.

EARTH FIVE Leatherworks is back in business. The more things change, the more they stay the same - or not.