With its high-gloss leather straps on the Type 1A collection for Her, Sekford honors a British invention. One the earliest references to high-gloss leather is found in an article published in 1793 by “The Bee” entitled 'Hand's patent leather', a Mr. Hand in the city of Birmingham is described as having obtained a legal patent for a process said to be 'for preparing flexible leather having a glaze and polish that renders it impervious to water, and need only be wiped with a sponge to restore it to its original lustre'.

Characterized by a glass-like finish that catches the light, patent leather comes in many colours. In addition to the mirror-like finish, patent leather is also virtually waterproof, while still retaining a very flexible texture.