An exploration of modern leatherwork at Bill Amberg Studio

Our open studio includes tours of the workshop and showroom, with the opportunity to witness our leather workers demonstrating their skills live, hand stitching pieces of furniture. You will also be able to see a hand knotted Loom light from our first lighting collection being woven, alongside further examples on display to show how the unique leather weave design give off a mesmerizing, dappled light. This is a prime example of the process of designing through making; as espoused by one of Bill’s heroes, the legendary Japanese industrial designer, Sori Yanagi. More evidence can be found in the form of some of the studio’s iconic designs presented for LDF21. These include the Rivet Stool (I and II); a product of our experiments into leather’s capacities for weight-bearing and structural support, which is created from a single piece leather, folded and secured in place by hand-set copper rivets. The classic Rocket Bag, originally developed in 1990, will also be on show. Finally, there will be the chance to see a selection of printed leather designs, produced in collaboration with including Faye Toogood, Yinka Ilori and Bethan Grey, which employ specialist digital printing technology whilst retaining the natural character and grain