Leather

I am watching a (gay) movie with the title LEATHER. I thought about what comes to mind when I heard the word. I desperately wanted to say couch or car upholstery. But that wasn't what came to mind. I thought of leather outfits that the S&M people wear.
Wonder why that's so. I mean, I am not into leather clothing and for a time in my adult, conscious life I followed a vegetarian lifestyle and promoted animal rescue and supported organizations that fought against animal cruelty. Technically, I would/should not oppose the use of leather from animals that have been slaughtered for food, but it's just not my thing.
Do I own any? The inside of my car has leather seats. Since I live in Southern California, I have no need for animal skin clothing. The closest I come to that is owning wool sweaters. And wool, as we know, is a by-product that grows back on the living animal.
I am about 3/4 of the way through the film and I am at a point of guessing the meaning behind leather. It is one of the tools that an important character uses in his craft; he makes sandals by hand. Maybe leather is a metaphor for protection (the skin of an animal), maybe it represents strength, perhaps it' thought of as something rare or rich. Where I come from a leather couch is quite a decadent piece of furniture.