Interview - Isambard Bristol

British-Made Luxury Leather Bags

Proudly handmade in Britain, Isambard Bristol's veritable collection of highly sought-after leather bags are built with a flawless, contemporary design. The brand draws its inspiration from Isambard Kingdom Brunel, one of the foremost engineers in British history, responsible for the inception of numerous bridges and railway tunnels that are still in use today. They aim to echo his contribution to the evolution of British culture by creating accessories that stand the test of time.

" I took inspiration from the late Mr Brunel, who has blessed the City of Bristol with creations like "Clifton Suspension Bridge & Temple Meads Railway Station" to create my own range of hand made leather goods."

Each leather-bound bag is created, by hand, in a small workshop, a stone's-throw from where Brunel's 'Clifton Suspension Bridge' still stands today. Being in close proximity to such a vibrant, picturesque town, booming with creative enterprise, means that the company is never too far from a wealth of inspiration.

"My inspiration for the ISAMBARD Bristol range was due to my extensive travelling for over 25 years in sales, purchasing many travel bags, briefcases, laptop bags that would only withstand a year's worth of use. Our dedicated and creative team of craftsmen use traditional English leather-craft methods to create leather pieces that will last a lifetime."

With a design aesthetic that is clean, minimal and classy they intend to attract an audience with a taste for luxury. They balance functionality with a natural beauty, designing each bag so that its comfortable to use and ergonomically-minded. One stroke along the surface of their weekend bag will reveal its magnificiently-soft texture, making it as much of a pleasure to use as it to look at. The collection's characteristic colorway - mostly shades of black and brown - is kept deliberately subtle to maintain the essence of understated-luxury.

Their collection has been showcased at various design fairs across the capital, where fashion-seekers have had the chance to own a piece of Bristol's heritage. Isambard use only the best natural leather, which is then cut and stitched into durable, lightweight accessories. The specially-selected material is able to maintain its natural hue even in the face of stains, making it ideal for your most valuable belongings.

"Our aim is to offer pieces that you will treasure. We select only natural leathers from the finest whole hides that undergo a unique natural vegetable tanning process to produce soft, yet durable leather that will last and age beautifully."