Ruth Glen LSDC runs a London based studio working with an extensive team of industry department experts. We specialise in design, product development and the making of bespoke pieces, finding solutions and applications to create a viable product. Our product specialisms cover High Street to Couture, with focus on the accessories and interior markets.

Following specialist training at Cordwainers College and thirty-five years in the industry, Ruth’s experience has extended across the private, commercial and public sectors, working closely with UK and international designers, developing collections from High Street to Couture.

Ruth has twenty years of teaching experience; training and mentoring the next generation of makers, at Central St. Martins, London College of Fashion, and Cordwainer’s College.

Currently we work closely with selected BA/MA students and universities. We provide a combined technical mentoring resource with high quality, low-cost creative direction, product development and prototyping services.

www.ruthglen.com

Antony Broadway is a highly skilled Head Craftsman, Trainer and the Founder of ARB Bespoke London, providing specialist services within the leather manufacturing industry. His wealth of experience has been accomplished during his 25 years within the leather goods sector, 15 years of which were at Asprey where he was awarded the highest position as Head Craftsman, for his bespoke work on projects for high-profile clients and Royalty.

Tony brings his breadth of industry experience, specialism in bespoke work, machinery and broad knowledge across an extensive range of product bases to The CCM.

www.antonybroadway.london

At the age of 40, I embarked on an exciting journey by moving to the enchanting city of London to pursue my studies. After 3.5 years of studying I graduated with a Master in Fashion Artefacts. A Norwegian born now Swedish national living in London.

As a maker I have been fortunate to work with some of the most prestigious luxury companies, such as Alfred Dunhill, Byredo, Asprey and Globetrotter.

I am currently building my brand Studio Holten, as well as training the new generation of developers and makers.

www.studioholten.co.uk

Gina McQuen is a specialist leather artist living in London UK. Creating hand painted art on Leather furniture and products. She has over 25 years’ experience in Textile & Surface Pattern Design. Gina is also a certified colourist, restorer and repairs leather furniture, in particular vintage pieces. Her work is inspired by Traditional Japanese Tattoo & Mythology also embedded within the Natural World. Gina mainly works with clients toward Bespoke Commissions.

Recently a client sent her a large two-seater leather sofa, requesting Japanese mythology to tell his story of adversity.

www.ginamcquenleatherartist.co.uk

Louise’s poetic and sensitive work has its patterns and rhythms inspired by the flow and movement, which she sees in the natural world.

Louise Heighes studied Textile Design at Central Saint Martins and sold her final degree collection to Chanel in Paris.

She spent many years working within the fashion industry, designing for luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Azzedine Alaia, Nike and Chanel.

It was here that she fell in love with working with leather. The way it can be cut stretched, woven or folded into 3D shapes, while still remaining soft and tactile acts as a pallet for her imagination and allows her to create wholly original pieces of leather art.

Building on her fashion background, she is now using beautiful decorative techniques with luxury sustainable materials to produce unique pieces of art.

www.louiseheighes.com

Since graduating from Central Saint Martins in 2004, Tara has created bags , jewellery and other accessories for high street retailers as well as the top end, luxury market.

Proudly producing all bag samples in the UK, Tara worked as part of a design team, producing seasonal samples for brands showing at London Fashion Week. Tara has always worked closely with the best of the UK Artisans, as well as global suppliers of hardware, leather and non-leather goods. Creating luxury products for catwalk presentations spanning over 10 years.

Since launching a Freelance career in 2019, Tara helps launch smaller start- ups, as well as global brands, wanting to move into the bag sector. This is done through long standing relationships with local craftsmen and ateliers as well as larger international manufacturers.

@tarataylordesign

Providing restoration services for designer handbags

The original cleaning and repair service for damaged and tired bags and small luxury leather goods.

Training services for the cleaning and leather industries.

Internationally recognised courses in leather for:

Cleaners
Upholsterers
Detailers and Automotive Companies
SuperYacht Housekeepers
Aircraft detailers
Handbag restorers
Retailers

www.lttleathercare.com

Bentleys was founded in 1989 when their renowned Chelsea shop introduced vintage luggage to a new audience, elevating the trunks and suitcases to a global market of collectors and enthusiasts.

Vintage English leather suitcases rest side-by-side with antique Louis Vuitton trunks. Craftsmanship is celebrated and shines through in every carefully chosen item.

Tim Bent, the owner of Bentleys, admits to a healthy obsession with collecting leather goods and has curated an extensive archive of vintage pieces principally spanning the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

www.bentleyslondon.com

J & FJ Baker & Co Ltd is the UK's last remaining Oak Bark tannery. Established in 1862, the Tannery has been run by the same family for 6 generations. They are world renowned for producing the highest quality, long wearing and strongest leather. The raw materials used in producing the leather are all UK sourced and sustainable; oak bark, water and hides that are a by-product of the meat industry.

Situated in Devon, there has been a tannery on the site since Roman times and the tanning techniques used in producing the leather are the traditional and historic methods. Oak Bark tanning takes approximately 15 months to produce each piece of leather but the lengthy process preserves the fibres and produces superior leather which modern faster methods cannot rival.

www.jfjbaker.co.uk

Billy Tannery is a new kind of leather company. After discovering that not one goatskin left over from the UK food industry was being tanned here, founder Jack Millington decided to do something. Tapping into local leather knowledge he built a pioneering microtannery on a farm in the Midlands and our sustainable, bark-tanned goat and deer leather now completes the circle. Billy Tannery's growing range of leather goods is designed and made in England.

www.billytannery.co.uk

UKFT is the most inclusive British network for fashion and textile companies, bringing together 2,500 designers, manufacturers, agents and retailer to promote their businesses and our industry in the UK and throughout the world. UKFT is in a unique position, representing businesses from spinning, weaving and knitting, right through to catwalk and garment care.

We are the collective voice of UK fashion and textiles, promoting the strategic and economic value of our vibrant industry to government and policymakers. As the UK’s largest provider of trade show access funding, we help companies reach new markets overseas as well as offering unrivalled export advice and support to members.

UKFT is the Government appointed Sector Skills Body for the sector, working with employers to define skills gaps and priorities and developing industry-led solutions. We are also a passionate supporter and champion of UK manufacturing, encouraging best practices and innovation while fostering a long-term sustainable environment for companies to thrive.

www.ukft.org

Arts Thread is the world's leading digital platform for emerging artists & designers and a launchpad for the next generation of creative talent.

Arts Thread has built relationships with over 950 creative institutions connecting us to over 400,000 students in approximately 130 countries and has partnered with leading brands, organisations, events, media to help launch the next generation of creative talent globally.

www.artsthread.com

Leather UK is committed to protecting the unique identity of leather as a sustainable and beautiful product and working together as one united sector to promote the UK leather brand at home and abroad.

We are Leather UK. We’ve been here since 1908 as the only trade association in the UK promoting, protecting and connecting this great British industry, at home and abroad. We bring together every part of the leather supply chain, from tanneries to designers and everything in between. Our lobbying activities ensure we are heard by government, both nationally and internationally. Leather is a sustainable, beautiful product and we are proud of the work that we do. We support the industry and also provide expert information to the media and consumers about any aspect of leather. This is a wide ranging service, from how leather is made, its sustainability credentials, to where to find an expert leather artisan to make a bespoke item or refashion a favourite leather piece.

www.leatheruk.org

The AMUSF was founded in 1947 (previously AMU) to protect the interests of upholsterers, small furniture makers, and soft furnishers. In those days of post-war austerity, this group of master craftsmen and craftswomen were starved of many of the materials needed for their trades. They felt the need for a group voice and mutual support to tackle the difficulties this caused and, in the highly regulated environment of the time, to ensure that they could influence local and national government in the framing and enforcement of laws which affected them.

www.amusf.org

Rycotewood continues to provide craft training for young people since 1938, their specialist furniture design and making centre in the historic city of Oxford is part of Activate Learning, the pioneering education group. It boasts four dedicated workshops, design suite, machine shop, spray booth and CNC room. Courses start at Level 2 City and Guilds up to BA in Furniture Design & Make, alongside their industry focussed apprenticeship scheme.

Students have always been the lifeblood of Rycotewood with its aim to give students the opportunity to develop a wide range of skills that respect the ideals of the Arts and Crafts movement whilst understanding the changing face of the furniture industry to keep our curriculum relevant.

www.rycotewoodfurniture.co.uk

Bridge of Weir leathers have helped shape the course of automotive history for generations. Founded by Arthur Muirhead in 1905, Bridge of Weir leather is synonymous with refinement and performance. On the prestige marques of today and the concept cars of tomorrow, we develop the finest automotive leathers at one of Europe’s leading leather production facilities.

www.bridgeofwierleather.com