Spanish Leather Artisan Oscar Arenas Shares His Craft
HappyPatina is a leather goods brand rooted in timeless design, honest craftsmanship and informed by travel and tradition. We caught up with founder and owner Oscar Arenas to find out more about his passion for leather goods and travel.
Founded in Spain, HappyPatina creates fashionable and functional accessories using natural, vegetable-tanned leather that improves with age, developing a unique patina that reflects its owner’s habits and their travels. Inspired by time-honored craftmanship as well as the Zen-like philosophy of fewer, better things, the brand is produced in small batches using techniques that are half a century old (at least)—think simple stitching, brass studs and folds that evoke origami.
Every piece is crafted with longevity and portability in mind. In this way, HappyPatina invites people to reconnect with their belongings in an essential and simple way. All of the accessories designed by Oscar Arenas—from wallets to watch bands, sunglass cases to slippers, key fobs to catch-alls—offer sustainable alternatives to products we are so used to seeing mass-produced using plastic. They appeal to the frequent traveler who has come to value a minimal carbon footprint. Plus, there is something satisfying about owning fewer items, keeping them for longer, and finding new beauty in them as they age.
Vacationer: Please describe where you call home currently and what you love about it.
Oscar Arenas: I’m based in Elche, a city on the Mediterranean coast of Spain. What I love most about it is the mix of tradition and craftsmanship—especially in shoes—combined with a relaxed, warm, coastal lifestyle. It’s a place where making things with your hands is still part of daily culture.
Is it different to where you grew up? And would you recommend your birthplace to Vacationers and why?
I grew up not far from where I live now, so the environment is familiar, but I appreciate it differently as an adult. The region is ideal for visitors who enjoy sunshine and good authentic food.
Editor’s insight: Tourism in Elche, Spain, focuses on its UNESCO World Heritage sites, particularly the Palmeral (palm grove), the Huerto del Cura botanical garden, the Basílica de Santa María, and the MAHE archaeological museum. Visitors can also explore the historic center, the medieval 10th century Arab Baths, or take a trip to nearby beaches, about 9 miles from the center of Elche itself.
Where have you recently traveled to for work or pleasure? What were your favorite things there?
My most recent trip was to Morocco—officially for business, but I brought my wife and our two-year-old son with me. I went there to learn more about the country’s leather culture and its ancestral tanneries, and the experience was truly incredible. Walking through the old medinas, meeting artisans, and seeing traditional tanning methods still alive today was inspiring both personally and professionally. Sharing that trip with my family made it even more special.
Do you have an early memory or experience of how travel shaped you? When did you get your first passport?
I grew up in a family that always loved to travel. Summers were for beach destinations, and winters were spent in the snow and mountains. Travel was a natural part of my upbringing. I got my first passport when I was about 12 years old for a sailing championship in the United States. It was an unforgettable trip—my first time so far from home—and it sparked a lifelong sense of curiosity and appreciation for discovering new places.
You also make CP Slippers, leather barefoot slippers that are so flat and light they can go anywhere. What was your inspiration for these?
CP Slippers come from a family tradition started by my grandfather. I still remember the first time he gave me a pair of CP Slippers; that feeling of my little foot sliding into the smooth leather was unforgettable—the comfort was comparable to walking barefoot around the house. That simple experience became the inspiration for creating slippers that are natural, minimal, and made from a single piece of leather, light enough to take anywhere.
Editor’s Note: In 1981, Oscar’s grandfather traveled to Japan, discovered the tradition of removing shoes at home, and began handcrafting minimalist, single-piece leather slippers for family and friends—a moment that left a lasting impression on young Oscar and sparked his passion for artisanal work.
Can you explain the difference between your leather and other commercial leather products on the market?
HappyPatina products are crafted from full-grain, vegetable-tanned leather sourced from traditional Spanish tanneries. Unlike mass-produced chrome-tanned leather, vegetable tanning is slower, more artisanal, and creates leather that ages beautifully with a natural patina. It’s more durable, more authentic, and develops character over time—which is part of the philosophy behind the brand.
I’ve read HappyPatina has a minority founder. What’s your connection to the LGBTQ community?
In the early days of the project, one of my brothers—who is gay—played a very important role in shaping the brand. Although he is much less involved now, he still owns part of the business and collaborates occasionally. For me, it’s simply part of our family story and how the brand grew from something we built together.
When you travel, is it important to you to stay in LGBTQ-friendly places and destinations that embrace diversity?
Absolutely. When I travel for pleasure without my wife and son, I usually travel with one of my closest friends, who is gay. We always look for destinations or neighborhoods that feel welcoming and LGBTQ-friendly. He lives with a serious illness, but that has never stopped us—and still doesn’t stop us—from taking incredible trips together. Those journeys mean a great deal to both of us.
What is on your ‘bucket list’ for future places to explore?
Japan is high on my list—especially for its deep respect for craftsmanship and materials. I’d also love explore more of northern Europe and some quieter Mediterranean islands.
What are the Happy Patina products that you never leave home without?
I always travel with the document folio, my dopp kit toiletry bag, and a slim card wallet. They keep everything organized and make any hotel room feel more like my own home.
