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Sorry I can't give you any advice on where to go, but I do have a Wassily chair in a very dark brown leather, and it is absolutely gorgeous with the metal frame of the chair.

If you went to DWR and asked you probably could order just the leather and not the frame for the chair special order. I'm sure it would be pretty expensive though.

To be honest, I think the cracking of the leather gives the chairs character.

Hey
You shold make this a DYI project, because I bet it wouldn't be horrible. You can get skins of various qualities from Tandy Leather. If you were able to unlace the seat or the back, take it in to a local Tandy Leather and ask them for advice. I know they have grommet tools and working with leather is fun and not too bad (especially for that frame.) I made some leather photo books one time and it was fun.

you would think, Le Corbusier, wouldnt mind if you added
'a touch of yourself' to the refurbishing of the chairs, it has touched you in more ways than a chair.
since you have the original framework of the design update it with a little more of you, bamboo weave maybe or bent wood.
i think this would add to the original design intent and you will always be able to say they are originally unique.
i would take sometime to think before i acted on a simple rejuvi issue.
if you do decide to make them even more intentional, atleast keep a part of the leather from each chair and have stitched into the leather, "Le Corbusier and family" with a date or history that means something special to you, and attach it to each chair.

Do you have these because you love them or because they are worth something...or both? If it were me and they were something I loved and were worth something I would talk to an antiques/vintage furniture place and get their advice. I'm betting it's o.k. to replace the leather, but have it done correctly by a good professional. It might cost a few bucks but I think it would be worth it.

I agree with Harley - I like the chairs as is. I have a newish one, and I wish it looked a bit worn.

I agree with those who say they prefer the look of the worn, aged leather -- part of what I like about materials like leather, marble and wood as that they age and develop a patina over time -- but I imagine that if the leather is actually SPLITTING that you're probably concerned about someone sitting down and the chair actually coming apart. If that's the case, what about seeing if you can have the exisiting leather reinforced underneath to prevent the damage from getting worse? That, combined with some serious leather conditioning to treat the brittleness, could allow you to keep the chairs' special character while still being functional and safe for use.

Reliable Upholstery in Queens specializes in mid-c reupholstery. They were just written up in House Beautiful. Sol redid a loveseat for me and it turned out great.

If the cracks are only surface cracks, which it looks like, and you want to hide them, you should be able to use something like Meltonian Boot & Shoe Cream to help restore the finish, condition the leather and stain the color of the cracks to match. Put it on thick and then brush like you are shining shoes. Repeat as needed. Most leathers needs to be conditioned somehow to keep it supple.

While it looks like the springs are keeping the bottom and back tight, the arms are obviously sagging. Those need to be shortened. I would measure and decide how much shorter they needed to be, and then take the pieces to a shoe repair shop where they have the equipment to cut and restitch the loops together. Polish and condition the with the Meltonian and slide back on.

As somebody suggested above, you could replace the leather yourself. Unhooking the springs and laying out the pieces will allow you to trace the shape on new leather. You will need to cut the leather and bevel the edges. Stain and finish. Then punch holes and affix grommet. My parents owned a leather store in my youth, and working with leather for basic pieces like this is very easy. Tandy will have all the tools- knife, bevel, grommets and fastener, and the stain and finish you need. You may be able to get pre-finished pieces to use. It might look great using regular hide as well, and just as easy to do. Just be sure to use leather that as is thick as what is on their now.

We refinished an antique rocking chair once and for the round insert on the seat we used a nice piece of leather with a huge rosette tooled onto it. It was stained a beautiful brown that really set of the wood and carving. Other than the tooling, anybody could have done the same thing.

I would highly reccomend Superior Leather:

http://www.superiorleathernyc.com/

They do amazing work and would probably be able to either restore or recut the leather needed for your chair. I have used them twice. Once to clean a pale green larc jacobs bag and a second time to repair a curly lamb jacket. Both times the result was impeccable. They are very friendly and would be happy to discuss what your options are.

-K