INTERVIEW: Lesley Taylor
As is true of all Prescott & Mackay’s teaching staff, bag making’s Lesley Taylor manages a successful career alongside her teaching, working as head designer at British heritage brand Brady. In this, the first of a series shining the spotlight on our talented team, we quiz Lesley on her life in leather and what makes her tick as a designer
Lesley is the tutor for Prescott & Mackay's bag-making course
How have you learnt your craft?
I am partly self-taught and partly trained. At 19 I was fortunate enough to get a job with a local leather merchant and leatherworker in my hometown of Newcastle, which proved to be a great start in the business. My employer was hugely encouraging and supportive and during my time there I gained a broad knowledge of the different types of leather and their end uses as well as leatherworking skills. To a certain extent I would also try to work things out for myself, taking on all sorts of repair projects that weren’t viable for the merchant, and then spend hours at home figuring out just how they should be done. When I set up my own business – an invaluable learning experience in itself – I’d continue to take on a variety of repair jobs which I always found taught me a lot. I learnt not only about how things were put together, but also about where they were going wrong. My first formal technical and design training came during my time on the footwear and accessories degree at Cordwainers College in London. I was part of the course’s first intake and upon graduating I joined luxury accessories brand Mulberry, with whom I had done my final year industry-linked project. I worked there for five years before moving on to my current job at Brady in 2002.
What led you to working in leather goods?
Initially it was a love of sewing. I’d always enjoyed sewing but I’d ruled it out as way of making a living after doing some pretty poorly paid work hand sewing repairs for a local antique textiles dealer. Happily though, when I first got the job with the leather merchant I realised that I could actually make a living from my passion if I learnt the skills required to sew leather. It wasn’t long before I fell in love with the potential that leather could offer, and meeting the many varied customers opened my eyes to the vast number of opportunities within the industry.
If you had not discovered bag design, what do you think you might have become?
I think that I would have still ended up in a job that is craft-based, like an upholsterer or a stonemason. I am fascinated too by marketing and graphic design, but I’m lucky that I do get to do elements of these in my job [at Brady], despite being a latecomer to the world of computers. In reality there are many other routes I might have taken within the world of leather goods if I hadn’t become a bag designer. As I said, the make up of the industry is so varied. I considered training as a saddler at one point.
What is the most satisfying aspect of designing bags?
There are lots of things that make my job satisfying. I love working in a team of such skilled and talented people that creates fabulous things. And when a design concept is turned into a well finished, beautiful product, after what can be a difficult and frustrating process, it feels great to stand back and think wow, we made that! I also actually get a real kick out of production, seeing the idea that you’ve made once, then ordered and manufactured in quantity – I suppose we all want others to appreciate what we do. Seeing something you have designed featured in a good magazine is naturally very rewarding too. I had a few best sellers that were featured during my Mulberry days, and now at Brady Bags – where things are more low key – every new article or feature feels like even more of a success and a breakthrough for the brand.
One of the "Discovery"range that Lesley designed for Brady
Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
I find inspiration from many things. Often it is the materials themselves that inspire me. Finding just the right piece of leather or a fitting that you know is perfect to make a certain item is really satisfying and inspiring. Another source of inspiration comes from looking at old vintage leather goods. I love to study really top quality handmade pieces to see how they have been constructed and take inspiration from that master-craftsman finish. Also as a bag designer, I’m often thinking about function or finding a gap in the market. I am, like most of us, hugely susceptible to trends but it’s important for me to always keep in mind customer requirements.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Getting my first job with the leather merchant at 19 and realising that I could work and enjoy it!
When teaching at Prescott & Mackay, what is the most important thing you’re trying to impart to your students?
The main thing I try to impress upon my students is that, in essence, nothing in bag making is that difficult. Once you gain a basic understanding of how products are put together, each element can be simply achieved with the right know-how. In terms of design, my classes are really more about bag making than design, but a good understanding of how something is made and what to make it from is hugely helpful to anyone interested in design.
What is the most important thing you have learnt?
I have learned just how little I know! When I was first working for the leather merchant doing leatherwork, I thought I was extremely knowledgeable as I was learning so many new techniques. But now, twenty years on, I am aware of how much more there is to learn – every day I can learn a new piece of relevant information, fact or technique. I am still learning.
www.prescottandmackay.com
www.bradybags.co.uk
Two Day Beginners Bag Making
Two Day Advanced Bag Making
One Day Shape Making For Bags
Five Day Intensive Bag Making
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