Let’s start with the vision. What inspired your luxury leather company to grow beyond your L.A. base and offer nationwide installation?
Back in 1983, our founder Mitch Katz saw a real problem in the automotive industry. If you wanted leather seats, you had to buy them from the dealer at a premium price with very limited options, or you were stuck with cloth. He and his sister Lesley founded Katzkin with a simple vision: give consumers beautiful, custom leather interiors at an affordable price, with choices that were virtually limitless.
What started in our Montebello facility near LA has grown into a nationwide network because we realized early on that great craftsmanship shouldn’t be limited by geography. We’ve built relationships with over 2,500 professional installers across the country because every driver, whether they’re in Tennessee or Texas, deserves access to premium leather interiors. Over the past 40 years, we’ve transformed more than 3 million vehicles, and that’s only been possible by bringing our old-school craftsmanship directly to communities nationwide.
In your view, what defines a “luxury makeover” in the automotive space—and how do you help clients personalize that concept?
A true luxury makeover isn’t just about slapping on expensive materials—it’s about completely transforming how you experience your vehicle every single day. When we work on a car, we’re not just covering the seats. We remove every piece of cloth from your front and rear seats, and sometimes door panels, and center console too, then replace it with precision-engineered leather that’s cut and sewn specifically for your vehicle’s dimensions.
What makes it personal is the incredible range of choices we offer. With over 3,000 different interior patterns and 120 colors and materials, we can create everything from a subtle, factory-inspired look to something completely custom with diamond stitching, contrasting piping, or even tooled leather accents. We have clients who want their Mustang to look like it rolled out of a high-end fashion house, and others who need their work truck to be both rugged and refined. The luxury is in getting exactly what you envision, not settling for someone else’s idea of premium.
Can you walk us through the typical client journey—from first contact to a fully installed custom interior? What should customers expect?
It all starts with our online design tool where customers can input their vehicle’s year, make, and model, then explore our design options. But here’s what sets us apart—we don’t just hand you a catalog and say “good luck.” One of our Interior Specialists reaches out personally to understand your vision, lifestyle, and how you use your vehicle.
During that conversation, we fine-tune every detail—from the leather grain and color combinations to stitching patterns and accent materials. We provide realistic renderings so you can visualize exactly how your interior will look. Once you approve the design, we manufacture your custom interior at our facilities using the finest automotive leathers, typically within 48 hours.
The installation happens at one of our authorized professional shops, usually taking 1-2 days. Our installers are trained craftspeople who understand that precision matters—every piece must fit like it came from the factory. We back every installation with a 3-year, 36,000-mile national warranty because we stand behind our work. From start to finish, the process typically takes 2-3 weeks, and customers drive away with an interior that truly reflects their personality.
Your interiors bring a design language that feels at home in high fashion or luxury living spaces. How do you balance that aesthetic with the durability vehicles demand?
That balance is really the heart of what we do—marrying old-school craftsmanship with modern technology and materials science. We use premium automotive leathers that are specifically engineered to exceed factory performance specifications. These aren’t furniture leathers that look pretty but can’t handle temperature extremes, UV exposure, and daily wear.
Our design team draws inspiration from high-end fashion and luxury interiors, but every material we choose has to pass rigorous automotive industry testing. Take our Barracuda leather, for example—it has this stunning perforated design with contrasting colors showing through, giving it a really sophisticated, almost architectural look. But it’s also engineered to be as durable as our standard materials.
We’ve developed materials like Katzkin XT, which is twice as thick as standard leather and water-resistant, scuff-resistant, and what we call “kid-resistant.” It can handle extreme conditions while still looking elegant. And our Suedezkin microfiber suede is made from recycled materials but feels incredibly luxurious. The key is that we never compromise on durability to achieve beauty—we engineer solutions that deliver both.
You have installers across the country. What does the experience look like for someone who wants to upgrade their ride without being near your L.A. headquarters?
We’ve spent 40 years building and training a network of over 2,500 authorized professional installers specifically so location never limits access to quality craftsmanship. Every installer in our network goes through training and many have decades of experience working with automotive interiors and Katzkin.
When someone in Tennessee wants a Katzkin interior, they get the exact same experience as someone visiting our headquarters. Our Interior Specialists work with customers nationwide via phone, email, and video calls to design their perfect interior. We manufacture and then ship the custom interior to the local authorized installer.
Again these aren’t typical auto shops doing side work—many of our installers are specialist craftspeople who focus exclusively on premium interior work. They have the specialized tools, training, and experience to deliver factory-level fit and finish. Plus, our national warranty covers the work no matter where it’s done, so customers have complete peace of mind.
We also have relationships with major dealership groups like CarMax and AutoNation, so customers can often get their Katzkin interior installed right where they buy their vehicle. The goal is to make premium craftsmanship accessible everywhere, not just in major metropolitan areas.
For drivers dreaming of a full interior upgrade, what are some of the top trends you’re seeing in custom auto styling right now?
We’re seeing a real shift toward personalization that reflects lifestyle and personality rather than just following traditional luxury cues. Two-tone designs are hugely popular—people want contrast that makes a statement. Think black leather with bright accent stitching or sophisticated gray with suede inserts.
Diamond and other custom stitchings have evolved beyond just luxury cars. Customers are requesting it in trucks and SUVs because it adds that premium, almost quilted texture that feels both sporty and refined. Perforated patterns, especially our Barracuda style, are trending because they create visual interest and improved breathability.
We’re also seeing increased demand for mixed materials—combining premium leather with our Suedezkin microfiber suede for accent panels or bolsters. It creates texture contrast that looks really sophisticated and contemporary.
Heated and ventilated seats are becoming standard requests rather than luxury add-ons, especially in markets with extreme climates. And embroidery is making a comeback, but it’s more subtle now—family initials, company logos for business vehicles, or small design elements rather than large, flashy graphics.
The biggest trend is what I call “everyday luxury”—people want their daily driver to feel as premium as a high-end vehicle, but they want it to reflect their personal style, not some designer’s idea of what luxury should look like.
You work on everything from everyday vehicles to rare collector builds. How do you tailor your approach based on the car and the client?
Every project starts with understanding the relationship between the client and their vehicle. A daily-driver family SUV has completely different needs than a weekend classic Mustang or a commercial vehicle that sees heavy use.
For everyday vehicles, we focus on durability and practicality without sacrificing style. A mom with three kids needs leather that can handle spills and wear while still looking beautiful. We might recommend our water-resistant materials or darker colors that hide wear better, but we’ll still deliver stunning design with custom stitching or accent details.
For collector or performance vehicles, the approach is entirely different. These clients often want period-correct styling or something that enhances the car’s performance character. We have patterns for classic vehicles going back decades, and we’ll work with specialized finishes to match original specifications or create something that looks like it could have been a factory option.
Commercial vehicles require our most durable materials—our Katzkin XT leather that can handle extreme conditions—but we still focus on design because these vehicles represent someone’s business image.
The key is listening, and that is what our team of Design Consultants do day-in and day-out. A contractor who drives a work truck every day has different priorities than a collector who drives their car to weekend shows. We tailor everything—materials, colors, design complexity, and even installation timing—to match how the vehicle will be used and what it means to the owner.
Tell us about your team. What kind of craftsmanship, creativity, and attention to detail does it take to bring these interiors to life?
Our team represents something that is becoming rare in manufacturing—genuine artisan craftsmanship supported by modern technology. Many of our senior craftspeople have been with us for 20-30 years, and they are constantly training the next generation in techniques that simply cannot be rushed or automated.
Our pattern makers are artists in their own right. They take precise measurements of vehicle seats and create templates that account for every curve, seam, and mounting point. It is engineering meets art—these patterns have to be perfectly dimensioned while also creating the design flow that makes the interior beautiful.
Our seamsters are the heart of the operation. They are working with materials that cost hundreds of dollars per hide, so there is no room for error. Every stitch has to be perfect because once leather is cut and sewn, you cannot really go back. Many of them started in traditional leather goods or high-end fashion before coming to automotive, so they bring that level of precision.
Lastly, our team of Design Consultants are hyper focused on providing a great customer experience and are experienced at creating the best combination of customization, value and design for our customers.
But what really sets our team apart is the pride they take in the work. These are not people just putting in hours—they are craftspeople who know their work is going into someone’s daily life. When they are hand-stitching diamond patterns or carefully aligning contrasting piping, they are thinking about the customer who is going to see and touch that work every day for years.
We combine that human craftsmanship with state-of-the-art cutting technology and quality control systems, but the heart of what we do is still skilled hands guided by decades of experience.
Looking ahead, what custom trends or collaborations are on your radar—and where do you see the future of luxury automotive design heading?
We are seeing the automotive industry embrace customization like never before. Even major manufacturers are recognizing that consumers want personalization, not just options packages. We are working more closely with OEMs—our products are already tested and trusted by major automotive brands like Ford, Jeep, Chrysler, Mopar and others.
Sustainability is becoming huge. Our Suedezkin microfiber is made from recycled materials, and we are constantly exploring new eco-friendly leather treatments and manufacturing processes. Consumers want luxury that aligns with their values.
Technology integration is another frontier. We are developing ways to seamlessly incorporate heated, ventilated, and safety systems into our designs without compromising the aesthetic. The goal is luxury comfort that is invisible until you need it.
I think we will see more collaboration between automotive and fashion/interior design. The boundaries between automotive, fashion, and home luxury are blurring. People want their car interior to reflect the same design sensibility as their living space.
But the fundamental trend is toward true personalization. Mass customization technology allows us to offer virtually unlimited combinations while maintaining manufacturing efficiency. The future is vehicles that reflect individual personality rather than market segments.
Anything else you would like readers to know?
What I want people to understand is that Katzkin represents something deeper than just premium automotive interiors. We are a 40-year-old American manufacturing success story built on the foundation that our founders, Mitch and Lesley Katz, established—the idea that quality craftsmanship and customer service never go out of style.
We stand behind our work with a comprehensive 3 year/36,000 warranty because we believe in the quality of what we create. When someone chooses Katzkin, they are not just getting leather seats—they are getting peace of mind, personal service, and craftsmanship that will enhance their driving experience for years to come.
Whether you are driving a brand-new truck or a 10-year-old family sedan, you deserve to love your vehicle’s interior. That has been our mission since 1983, and it is what drives us every day as we continue growing while staying true to the values that got us here.
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