Pelleteros

Pelleteros is the plural of peletero, a term used in several Spanish-speaking countries to refer to people who work with animal skins and fur, or who sell leather and fur products. The occupation derives from piel, skin, and indicates a craftsperson involved in processing, finishing, and sometimes selling leather or fur goods. In many regions, peletería encompasses a range of activities from tanning and curing hides to cutting, sewing, and assembling leather or fur items.

Work and practice

Peleteros may operate in workshops, ateliers, markets, or as street vendors. Typical tasks include skin preparation, tanning or dyeing, cutting patterns, stitching, and applying trims or fur to garments. Products produced or sold by peleteros include coats, jackets, vests, belts, wallets, bags, boots, gloves, hats, and fur trim. Some peleteros specialize in furrier work such as pelting, dyeing, and assembling fur garments, while others focus on leather goods. The scale of operation ranges from small family workshops to larger commercial enterprises.

Historical and regional context

The peletería trade has deep roots in colonial and post-colonial Latin America, where animal skins and leather goods formed an important local economy in many urban centers. Today, the field intersects with fashion, tourism, and sustainable practices, and it is subject to varying regulations regarding animal welfare and the fur trade, depending on the country.

Contemporary use

In some areas, the term peletero can also describe leatherworkers or fur traders more broadly, and peletería may refer to shops selling fur and leather goods rather than production spaces. Regional meanings and practices may vary, but the central idea is a craftsman or trader centered on skins, leather, and fur.