I’ve always had a passion for leather and a determination to be innovative. Having graduated in Footwear and Accessories Design from Cordwainers College at the London College of Fashion I started my label to use that grounding in traditional design and crafting as the basis for exploring what I could conceive of, and do, with this fantastic material of Vegetable tanned leather which is free of chemical and toxins. The leather vegetable tanning process uses plant based tannins not chrome tanning which is very harmful for the environment.
I have focused on corsets, corset belts, chokers, necklaces, cuffs and small leather goods, trying at all times to stay original and ahead of the curve.
During my college years I got interested in the traditional technique of moulding, which combined with vegetable tan leather provides endless possibilities for manipulating and sculpting the hide into different shapes. From this point I didn’t look back – I also started to dye the leather myself, which gave me the freedom to create the colour palette of my choice, and began to incorporate swarovski crystals, vintage lace metal studs into my work.
I believe very strongly in upcycling and using vegetable tanned leather and second hand materials, which as well as being environmentally sound also adds special history and memory to a piece, and I make use of every inch of the hide – there is no wastage as all off-cuts are saved and used in other pieces. Wherever possible I source my material from the UK, and all production is local – everything is made in my studio in Hove.
