Founded in 1921 by Samuel Gati, a master luggage maker from Batina, a village on the Danube River in Baranja, Sljeme became a symbol of luxury and the timeless art of leather goods making. Gati began as a skilled craftsman during the Austro-Hungarian Empire, specializing in making luxurious travel trunks that were functional and elegant, quickly gaining recognition across Europe for their superior quality.
The company was originally located in the heart of Zagreb, at Medulićeva Street 12, where it employed up to 130 craftsmen dedicated to the production of precision-crafted leather goods. In the early years, the company's main product was custom-made suitcases and leather travel trunks, which served the nobility and travelers before World War II.
As travel evolved, so did Sljeme adjust its focus. After the war, the company shifted its focus to luxury gloves for drivers, inspired by the growing passion for motorsports culture. The gloves, made from premium Nappa leather, were designed not only for style, but also for functionality, providing excellent grip and comfort for drivers.
In 1931, Sljeme achieved the prestigious status of Royal Supplier, thanks to the loyalty of Princess Olga of Greece and Denmark, who had been a passionate admirer of the brand's luxury products since 1928. Her favor played a key role in the company's rise to royal status, further cementing its reputation for quality and elegance.
The handmade driver's gloves embody the timeless spirit of motorsports with colors like Rosso Corsa, British Racing Green, Bleu de France and many more, inspired by classic automotive culture. Each pair of gloves is meticulously crafted, ensuring comfort and style, while paying homage to a rich heritage.
Rosso Corsa is the most famous racing color, a distinctive red associated with Alfa Romeo and Ferrari, although it was originally the racing color of the United States from 1900 to 1907. After Prince Scipione Borghese's legendary victory in the Peking-Paris race and his second Grand Prix victory, all Italian racing cars began to be painted red.
Classic driving gloves with a crocheted cotton upper for breathability. Made from 100% glacé lambskin, with a horseshoe opening, a strap closure and hand-stitched in the same colour as the skin.
Although brown leather is a common choice in automotive interiors today, it only gained popularity in the 1980s, and luxury models like the Quattroporte III stood out with their luxurious interiors.
Before the automobile, locomotives were the leading means of transportation, the best of which came from Great Britain and were painted dark green or black for ease of maintenance. When the United Kingdom entered the Gordon Bennett Cup in 1902, they chose green as their national color, inspired by locomotives. In 1903, the race was held in Ireland, where shamrock green was chosen, which became known as British Racing Green
Sljeme remains a prestigious name in luxury fashion, fusing the tradition with the needs of modern luxury. Samuel Gati's vision lives on, and Sljeme stands as a testament to the legacy of Croatian craftsmanship and its place in the world of luxury leather accessories, now with Daniel Tomičić as its new owner.
For more information, visit www.sljeme.eu
Source: Sljeme
Images: Sljeme, Bonhams, Bentley Motors, Napier, Tom Hartley Jnr.
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