Fiona has lived in Belper for almost a decade now, moving here from Germany via Scotland and Brighton.
She stumbled across working with leather when she decided to make herself a handbag and then adjusted a second hand leather coat and now makes a variety of items including bags and bowls from leather, upcycling where possible, under the name of Ikyu designs.
Leather has a longevity that PU doesn't and well crafted pieces can be used for years. Fiona also repairs leather items, at times deconstructing bags and completely overhauling, giving many further years to their longevity. Although this is often a slower process than making from new she feels it is worth the time and effort and satisfaction to their owners knowing they don't have to throw out their favourite bag.