Master of Leather Products

“These aren’t impulse purchases,” he says. A pair of half-chaps—his top seller—requires at least 12 measurements, three months of workshop time and cost $900 on average. Once measurements are taken and the globally-sourced leathers have been chosen, a single staff member sees the work through to completion. “It’s never the same thing twice,” remarks Pinnell. Each starting pattern evolves to meet each customer’s unique specifications. These include custom tooling, silver work and semi-precious stones.

Making Artisan Leather Goods with Meaning

For a man who practically defines the word artisan, his work has always been about more than just working. “People have so much joy and enthusiasm for what we make. I don’t want this to be just a job, cutting the same widget out over and over,” he admits. Because an economy of mass-produced items “killed the equestrian leather worker,” Pinnell focuses on luxury leather products. Although it’s a market without much uptick or ebb and flow, it is consistent and filled with meaning and lifelong friendships.

Custom Leather Products for Equestrian Events

It’s clear that there’s a specific and exacting clientele for his equestrian products. Pinnell has crafted leather goods for Olympians, politicians, actors, directors and even royalty. Since 1980, Pieces by Pinnell have been worn in each of the Olympic games. He even served as the repair expert for all 30 nations participating in the equestrian event at the 1996 Olympic games. Tad Coffin, the first U.S. equestrian winner, has worn many pieces crafted by Pinnell and was mentored by him. Coffin’s fascination with the art grew during his years of competition, and he is now a leather artisan himself and a famed maker of performance saddles who lives on a farm near Charlottesville.

For decades Pinnell spent months at a time travelling, setting up stores for couture leather products at horse shows. There are people he has been seeing on the equestrian circuit for nearly 40 years. Pinnell doesn’t boast, and he’s not overstating his significance when he says that, “literally thousands of people depend on what we make to better their performance.” And each customer receives the same care and attention as a celebrity.

Award-Winning Leather Chaps, Riding Breeches & More

One of the first pairs of half-chaps he made was for Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who ordered everything from riding boots to belts and bags. Pinnell adds, “She was so lovely to work with, and always gracious. She’d just pop in unannounced and without pretense. Just a lovely person.”

Pinnell also makes belts with buckles crafted in-house, wallets, custom watchbands and, truly, the most special dog collars. Martha Stewart even purchased a pair of his beautiful leather cuffs after she happened upon his booth during the Hampton Classic Horse Show in 2013. Impressed by Pinnell’s craftsmanship, Stewart honored him with the prestigious “American Made” Award.

The Path to Crafting Personalized Leather

Originally from Virginia’s Tidewater area, in school Pinnell found his niche in the art department; and by the end of high school, he was taking three art classes a day. He wanted to be a shoemaker and initially headed to Colorado to pursue that passion. However, remembering his high school art teacher had once suggested he go to Colonial Williamsburg, he made the move. There he learned to make harnesses, “and that’s what got me on the saddle end of things.” Chuck smiles as he picks up his fid, a scribing tool used to mark leather.