Ahmed Abdulla & Mohamed Hamd Ali, Busk.mv, a leathercraft shop whose entire catalogue is locally made and hand-crafted in the Maldives

Born during the COVID-19 pandemic out of a personal need for a single wallet, BUSK (@busk.mv) has grown from a lockdown pastime into one of the Maldives’ standout boutique leathercraft brands. Co-founded by Mohamed Hamd Ali and Ahmed Abdulla, the venture began when the duo coincidentally started experimenting with leatherworking at the exact same time before joining forces.

“It started from needing a wallet for myself and making one on my own,” Hamd recalls, noting that the hobby quickly grew into crafting small pieces for friends and family. Over the years, their shared passion evolved. “As the two of us continued working together, we finally decided to create this brand and turn it into a full-fledged business.”

Today, BUSK specializes in hand-stitched, made-to-order leather goods crafted using niche, full-grain leathers sourced directly from reputable tanneries in Tuscany, Italy, and the United States. Unlike mass-produced accessories, every hide is selected to meet global artisan benchmarks. “These leathers come with a whole lot of certificates, sustainability reports, and full documentation behind them, and are backed by major tanneries and consortiums,” Hamd explains, emphasizing that sourcing materials already tried and tested globally ensures durability suited for the Maldivian market.

Beyond offering bespoke pieces via Instagram and Facebook, the founders are passionate about passing their hard-earned knowledge on to aspiring local artisans. Reflecting on their self-taught journey, Hamd notes that traditional craftsmanship offers a rare reward: “At the end of the day, any work done by hand is very fulfilling.”

For newcomers eager to pick up the trade, he offers simple encouragement: “If you have a genuine interest, you can pick it up very easily, and it’s a craft in which you can progress very far.”

Born during the COVID-19 pandemic out of a personal need for a single wallet, BUSK (@busk.mv) has grown from a lockdown pastime into one of the Maldives’ standout boutique leathercraft brands. Co-founded by Mohamed Hamd Ali and Ahmed Abdulla, the venture began when the duo coincidentally started experimenting with leatherworking at the exact same time before joining forces.

“It started from needing a wallet for myself and making one on my own,” Hamd recalls, noting that the hobby quickly grew into crafting small pieces for friends and family. Over the years, their shared passion evolved. “As the two of us continued working together, we finally decided to create this brand and turn it into a full-fledged business.”

Today, BUSK specializes in hand-stitched, made-to-order leather goods crafted using niche, full-grain leathers sourced directly from reputable tanneries in Tuscany, Italy, and the United States. Unlike mass-produced accessories, every hide is selected to meet global artisan benchmarks. “These leathers come with a whole lot of certificates, sustainability reports, and full documentation behind them, and are backed by major tanneries and consortiums,” Hamd explains, emphasizing that sourcing materials already tried and tested globally ensures durability suited for the Maldivian market.

Beyond offering bespoke pieces via Instagram and Facebook, the founders are passionate about passing their hard-earned knowledge on to aspiring local artisans. Reflecting on their self-taught journey, Hamd notes that traditional craftsmanship offers a rare reward: “At the end of the day, any work done by hand is very fulfilling.”

For newcomers eager to pick up the trade, he offers simple encouragement: “If you have a genuine interest, you can pick it up very easily, and it’s a craft in which you can progress very far.”

Born during the COVID-19 pandemic out of a personal need for a single wallet, BUSK (@busk.mv) has grown from a lockdown pastime into one of the Maldives’ standout boutique leathercraft brands. Co-founded by Mohamed Hamd Ali and Ahmed Abdulla, the venture began when the duo coincidentally started experimenting with leatherworking at the exact same time before joining forces.

“It started from needing a wallet for myself and making one on my own,” Hamd recalls, noting that the hobby quickly grew into crafting small pieces for friends and family. Over the years, their shared passion evolved. “As the two of us continued working together, we finally decided to create this brand and turn it into a full-fledged business.”

Today, BUSK specializes in hand-stitched, made-to-order leather goods crafted using niche, full-grain leathers sourced directly from reputable tanneries in Tuscany, Italy, and the United States. Unlike mass-produced accessories, every hide is selected to meet global artisan benchmarks. “These leathers come with a whole lot of certificates, sustainability reports, and full documentation behind them, and are backed by major tanneries and consortiums,” Hamd explains, emphasizing that sourcing materials already tried and tested globally ensures durability suited for the Maldivian market.

Beyond offering bespoke pieces via Instagram and Facebook, the founders are passionate about passing their hard-earned knowledge on to aspiring local artisans. Reflecting on their self-taught journey, Hamd notes that traditional craftsmanship offers a rare reward: “At the end of the day, any work done by hand is very fulfilling.”

For newcomers eager to pick up the trade, he offers simple encouragement: “If you have a genuine interest, you can pick it up very easily, and it’s a craft in which you can progress very far.”