Aly Ashton

General information

Dreaming of a life without landfill, when everything is recycled or composted.I choose story laden I can to ensure their second life is as long as possible.

I made my first leather bag by hand out of my own leather coat which I had worn all through my late teens, 20's and indeed early 30's, it was second hand before coming into my hands so was already vintage, my wearing it for another 15-20 years made it all the more loved, but eventually it became pretty threadbare in the lining and the pockets were very worn, i couldn't part with it and decided on making it into something useful, a cross body is what it became and I was able to continue to love my coat but as a bag. From that day on I have loved leather coats and the character each and every one has, I source all my leather coats and jackets from charity shops and a few from ebay but mostly people give me their coats and jackets to repurpose into their own choice of bag/holdall. My first bag was made both by hand but also a struggle with my old domestic sewing machine, what a challenge I had with a normal foot on my machine, the leather was sticking to the plate and the thread kept breaking, it was a long job and I look back on that first creation with both fondness but a cringe at just how amateur the finished bag looked !! Things are different now with my industrial machine built for the job.

The most beautiful objects we own are those that have embedded personal stories and sentimental value. Repurposing your own jacket into a bag or accessory gives it a second life and has an emotional tie far greater than any shop bought item. Many people have leather jackets hidden in the back of their wardrobes, out of fashion, yet too emotionally valuable to give away, if you have one said item and would like to give it a second life, please get in touch.

Can I tempt anyone to have a little root in the back of their wardrobe, storage boxes, garages, lofts and dig out any old leather jackets or coats, maybe you have tucked away for a rainy day (or a new fashion era) maybe for some of you a big batwinged embarrassing 80's jacket with the thinking ...I'll save that till it comes back in fashion , It probably will no doubt but listen here, I would love to get my hands on your beloved jacket and transform it into a beautiful bag/holdall/baby bag /clutch/hobo/ you name it, I make it! ..just a thought. Xx