On Friday I had a customer ring in overjoyed with his Overnight Cabin Bag. Yes, he liked the style, and loved the leather, but here’s why he took the time to call:
He wanted to tell me that he’d driven from Bonn to London and on getting out at the other end, tired and in a [...]
I’m getting quite a few questions about what colour to buy… people love the Rhubarb and Ginger colours, but are a bit new to goat skin and how it will wear.
To get an idea of how it looks with use, this is my Villa Tote and Extrovert’s Card Case, my original samples, which I’ve been [...]
Sorry there hasn’t been a post for a while…
I won’t say things have got out of hand, but suddenly everyone seems to have realised it’s Christmas next weekend. We’re all hands on deck here at Bown wrapping and ribboning and boxing and couriering to get everything delivered in a timely fashion. We’re still taking orders [...]
Something you should look out for when buying leather goods is the difference between solid brass (as seen on our travel pieces above) and Zamac, which is a cheap imitation.
You can often tell Zamac by its “mock” aged look, a sort of fake antiquing to make it look ye-olde-brassy. It looks moderately better this way, [...]
I had a lovely comment posted on one of my entries at the begining of the week from someone called Pattie… I couldn’t resist clicking on her web address to find out more about her…
On a cold, drizzly, foggy November English evening her paintings blasted up onto my screen and gave me a real boost [...]
If, like me, you like travelling light then the last few months’ security alert restrictions have been a red rag to your minimalist-packing pride.
I am, nonetheless, a bit embarrassed that I managed a 2-night trip to Milan with only a City Tote that just fitted within the 16×35×45cm security alert restrictions (It’s amazing what you [...]
Sorry to be geeky. I know zips aren’t a very sexy subject (or are they?).
But I thought you’d like to know that all of ours are made by a Swiss manufacturer called RiRi, who make the best quality zips in the world.
Each ‘tooth’ is individually stamped from Tombac, a brass alloy.
The teeth are then polished [...]
Our first collection is being made by a great little outfit in southern Spain.
Half way between Seville and Cadiz, nestling among the Andalusian hills, the town was made famous for its saddlery and harness making skills.
The factory I use has a long history supplying top brands in France, Britain and America.
I have worked with them [...]
In our recent shoot, I wanted our model Rosy to do a little sashaying outside my local laundrette “The Dolly Tub” with the Villa Tote… having a bit of fun with our ‘everyday luxury’ theme.
What I had previously failed to notice (after 20 years living around the corner) was the fact that the laundrette was [...]
Here’s a detail of quality inking on the edges of our Overnight Cabin Bag.
I really enjoy the genuine pleasure people get discovering how things are made. Nothing beats taking world-weary customers around a workshop and seeing their faces light up when the skills that make up a quality product are revealed. I still get a [...]
