Jewel pouch

The little pouch is perfect for keeping jewellery safe when on the move, or for keeping golden coins in to trade in for something special on your travels.

A day spent clicking

Here we have the basic upper parts of the moccasin - the vamp (which goes under and up around your foot) and the apron (smaller shape which is stitched to the vamp to form the area over the toes).

Card patterns are used which act as a guide to cut around. A heavy weight holds the pattern piece in place so both hands are relatively free and accurate cutting is achieved. This process is traditionally called 'clicking'.

We mark and cut everything by hand. Here Chiara is scoring the shape of the leather soles before cutting them with a knife.

Drawings

Sometimes it feels great to go wild with pen and paper, it's always a surprise what comes out on the page! The drawings seem to form themselves. These were drawn after visiting NEUE Gallery in New York which is devoted to early 20th century German and Austrian Art and design, and applied arts from the Bauhaus. The modernist spirit was really fantastic.

Work in Progress

All the hand tools and utensils necessary for completing the moccasins.

Making these Roccoco Red moccasins for Spring has been pretty gleeful probably due to the sunny colours and pattern on the trim. These are now ready for the final stitching around the toes.

Roll on Spring!

Stitching Heels

Stitching up the heels is very satisfying. It's the first time the flat patterns start to take shape as a 3D form.

Prototyping

The saying goes 'you have to destroy to create', and from the piles of leather hides and scraps something new begins to emerge...

CONRAN The Way We Live Now

This show is an incredible archive of one man's mission to design and produce furniture for everyone that came from a fantastic work ethic - he only designed products he could make with his own hands. Some interesting examples of pieces in various stages of design to production, with original sketches and early TV footage from the 60's - always a joy to see!