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18
Jan
Ripon's self-taught leather worker creating custom heirloom pieces
A leather jacket is perhaps not at the top of every bride’s wishlist, but for many of Bridie Rimmer’s clients, a custom leather piece is what sets them apart.
Born and raised in Ripon, Bridie has always had an eye for fashion; she studied it at university before going into the bridal industry.
But when she started playing around with leather, Luxe Rebel Leather Co. was born.
Bridie told the Stray Ferret:
I started working in leather about seven years ago but before that I was in bridalwear – I did bespoke dresses and clothing. I was formerly known as Born to Thread, but when I came across a sample of leather I had the idea of making custom bridal jackets so they could have a leather jacket to wear.
I was quite alternative within bridalwear and there was a trend at the time which was painted leather jackets, so I decided to have a go at making my own leather jacket. I’d never worked with leather before in my life… it just sort of went from there, really.
Bridie saw a gap in the market at the time: a custom leather jacket allowed brides to put their own spin on the big day and gave them an extra keepsake.
She has two decades of experience in making clothes, but she is entirely self-taught in leathercraft.
“I’d always wanted to work with leather but it’s a very hard material to work with… it’s a totally different ball game”, Bridie said.
The bridal leather jackets were a hit, and gave Bridie the confidence to move into the leather industry full-time.
A bespoke jacket made for a member of Jo-Jo and The Teeth, a London-based rock band.
'A rebellious touch with a refined edge'
Bridie still receives some bridal orders, but Luxe Rebel Leather Co. predominantly offers bespoke pieces.
The 39-year-old, who was previously based in Ripon but is currently looking for a new workshop, told the Stray Ferret:
[The products] have a bit of a rebellious touch, but with a refined edge. I create custom pieces that are tailored to people’s styles and personality.
I like to work with my clients as a collaboration, so they’re involved in making the piece too. It’s about bringing their style into a unique piece, which can be passed down through generations. It’s with the intention of it becoming an heirloom piece, so it’s more of a sustainable option.
A custom piece usually takes Bridie between six and 12 weeks to bring to life, but one bespoke order for a musician – a studded leather jacket with “Lady Gaga-style” shoulder pads – took around six months to complete.
She even made a leather coat for a 6ft5 man, which required two cowhides to make.
Bridie said sourcing ethical leather is at the core of her work, adding all the leather she works with is “farmed ethically” abroad and bought from British manufacturers.
“All the made-to-order products on my website like wallets and card holders are made from off-cuts. I also send off-cuts to local schools to use”, she added.
Some pieces made by Bridie.
National recognition
Bridie has recently been included in Small Business Britain’s f:Entrepreneur #IAlso100 campaign, which seeks to celebrate female businessowners across the UK.
After applying for the recognition last June, Bridie found out in December she was one of 100 women to have been successful – wittled down from 800 applicants.
She said:
It’s not just about highlighting women in business, it’s about what they are juggling while in business.
Bridie said being a woman in leathercraft can be challenging; it’s often viewed as a man’s industry and she has, at times, not been taken seriously as a professional.
She added:
You work with tools, you’re in a workshop… but it’s coming to the rise now that more women want to work in leathercraft because it’s so rewarding and the leather itself is so versatile.
It’s about breaking down the stereotype… women can do it as well, don’t be scared of it.
Bridie told the Stray Ferret the f:Entrepreneur recongition “means more to me than I can explain”, and hopes it will open doors towards neworking, teaching leathercraft and empowering women.
But what would she say to women trying to navigate the world of business?
Take it slow. Research – do lots of research – and get to know your customer and what they want.
Also, know the value in yourself and your prices.
More of Bridie's pieces.
Bridie also encouraged anyone already in the leathercraft industry or wanting to try their hand at leathercraft to join The Ripon Leather Collective.
The group, which meets fortnightly at The Portly Pig in Ripon, aims to build a community of local crafters.
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