Superior sheepskin
For well over a century, Bowron Sheepskins has been tanning sheepskins in Woolston, a marker of the area’s industrious past, having once employed around 700 people.
In 2024, Bowron Sheepskins continues its legacy of quality. Now, a team of around 50 craftspeople enhances the sheepskin’s natural characteristics to become a little bit of luxe for your home, bringing the natural in.
Their range is extensive, featuring naturally coloured as well as dyed pieces. The Premium Natural Sheepskins will pleasantly surprise you with their earthy browns, greys, whites, and creams, bringing warmth to any living space. They’re thick and plush, incredibly soft to touch.
Thomas van der Willik, responsible for Bowron’s sales in New Zealand, loves the naturally coloured sheepskins. He states, “They are absolutely unique; you will not have the same one as someone else.” Being a premium product, Thomas suggests buyers invest in a quality product that is crafted in Christchurch by workers who have dedicated much of their working lives to making the high-end sheepskins.
“You can feel the craftsmanship of our staff. It’s just softer and looks better.”
“On top of that, it brings you back to nature.”
Bowron Sheepskins are also made in a sustainable way.
All of their sheepskins are sourced from free-range farms across New Zealand and obtained as a by-product of the food industry.
This would otherwise go to waste if not for the care and commitment to quality that their craftspeople exercise. The skins are hand-selected, meticulously cleaned, tanned, softened, and handcrafted to be turned into upcycled luxurious rugs, seat covers, cushions, baby rugs, and furniture.
They look good anywhere in your abode – or even your caravan. The sheepskin pieces are just as at home draped over a sofa as they are used as a floor rug.
A customer favourite is the natural Colossus Bean Bag. These round bean bags are colossal by name and by nature, surrounding you with comfort as soon as you sit down. The Colossus range is available in dyed varieties, but there is also a natural-coloured option, which makes each bean bag unique and is a luxurious addition to your living space, and not your usual bean bag.
The craftspeople at Bowron have also created a wider range of natural and dyed sheepskin products, from kids’ bean bags to Ottomans to cushions and throws.
For something with a bit of drama, there are the rugs made from Icelandic and Tibetan sheepskins – two long-haired varieties that you’ll be snuggling into.
To see the quality of the products up close, the Bowron factory shop is open to the public.
Their complete range can be found at the store on Long Street in Woolston, just around the corner from The Tannery boutique shopping centre, or on their website.