Illumination systems for items with leather

An item such as a leather-based item may have a layer of leather with one or more transparent portions that are illuminated by a light source. The transparent portions of the leather may be formed by a single continuous opening in the leather or may be formed by an array of smaller openings. A flexible light guide may be attached to a lower surface of the leather. The light guide may be used to add structure and heft to a thinned portion of the leather while still allowing the leather to remain flexible and soft. The light guide may be attached to a lower surface of the leather and may diffuse and guide light from a light source towards the leather. The light guide may be formed from one or more waveguide "pipes" or may be formed form a plate-light light guide layer that extends continuously under the leather.