Interview with Westley Richards Leatherworker – Jennifer Roberts

Every leather good, whether for travel or afield, is individually handmade by our in-house artisans, ensuring exceptional quality. Just as our gunmakers follow time-honoured traditions, our leather workers uphold a philosophy of no compromise. Each piece is crafted start to finish by a single artisan, infusing each item with unmatched attention to detail. This meticulous process results in heirloom-quality goods meant to be passed down through generations.

Among our talented team is Jennifer, who I worked closely with on the new Westley Richards Tote Bag collection. As demand for our luxury accessories grows on the world stage, artisans like Jennifer are the reason Westley Richards continues to set the standard.

Where did you grow up and complete your studies?

I grew up in Redditch, a small town nestled between Birmingham and Stratford -Upon-Avon. This location enabled me to explore the industrial history of Birmingham, alongside the theatrical history of Stratford. Both elements influenced my later fascination with historical dress, being particularly intrigued by the Victorian era. 

I took a more traditional academic route at school, as my local school did not offer textiles as a pathway. However, I incorporated textiles into my fine art GCSE course and took a BTEC qualification in historical dress at college, alongside my four A-level options. 

I always knew I wanted to pursue a creative career and thus went on to study Fashion Design with Design For Performance at Birmingham City University; wanting to also stay close to home whilst studying. In my final year I became interested in using leather, going on to create a leather corset, crinoline cage, belt and a few pouches for my final major project. 

What inspired you to become a leather maker?

I have always been captivated by structural dress, how a seemingly rigid material can be moulded to form a wearable piece. During my research of historical and sculptural dress I found leather to be ubiquitous, leading me to experiment with this beautiful resource. 

I found the versatility of leather enthralling, anything imaginable can be made into a tangible product. I also love working with such a natural product, leather is full of character and no two skins are the same, it’s sustainable and has been used by humans as a resource for thousands of years.

What did your apprenticeship entail?

I started at Westley Richards in 2021, after continuing to undergo leather lessons and craft products upon graduating university. Although I had some knowledge of the craft, I had never crafted a bag before and had limited experience using a walking foot leather sewing machine and a bell skive machine. 

I received thorough training on all machines and gradually worked my way up from the smaller goods to the more complex projects, such as the travel bags. The team at Westley’s has really allowed me to flourish, we work closely with the person training us and are encouraged to ask questions to further our knowledge and skillset.

Who would you have counted as mentors in the field of leather accessories?

 I first encountered leather work in 2017 whilst studying costume design at university. I decided I wanted to work with leather, as it was prevalent in my study of the Steampunk subculture. My University did not offer tuition in this area, so I sourced my own teacher, trawling through classes and reviews. Subsequently, I came across Nigel from Armitage Leather, I booked a lesson in and thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Nigel and I  collaborated on my final major project, whereby I created several leather pieces for two outfits. An extremely ambitious project, but with Nigel’s exceptional skill and knowledge, I had the best person to guide me through each piece. 

Since that day, I have had a thirst for knowledge and a love of this beautiful craft. All of my skill, passion and precision can be attributed to Nigel; he helped me when I was a complete novice with extravagant ideas. Nigel continues to inspire and educate me to this very day, his love of the craft and passing on his skills is unrivalled.

How long did it take to learn the art of crafting a fine leather good? 

I began crafting goods from leather in 2017 and I am still learning everyday, the versatility of the craft means there is always something new to learn. New designs, different leathers and bespoke customer jobs means there will always be new challenges and ways to further my skills. I have worked my way through a few of the travel bags during my time here thus far; I still have a lot to learn and look forward to acquiring new skills along the way. 

What are the greatest challenges a leather maker faces?

Whilst leather is a very beautiful natural material, it is not a very forgiving one! Working with leather means having excellent attention to detail and precision, often if there is even a small mistake it will be quite apparent. 

A lot of the goods we produce here need to have perfect edges and symmetrical stitching, this requires a high level of  attention to detail, so concentration and accurate templates are key. The best way to ensure an accurate product is to get the template as perfect as possible, this produces its own challenges with tolerances and accurate measurements. All of this work is done before even putting a knife to the leather.  

If you hadn't become a leather maker, what path would you have taken?

Before I began working for Westley Richards I was freelancing as a bespoke maker, working in the wedding and costume industries. I have always loved handcrafting goods, so I think I would probably have ended up either pursuing a career in costume design or creating and altering wedding dresses.

Tell us of your experience of training new members of the leather department?

I firmly believe in the mantra, your greatest teacher is your last mistake. When training we usually start the new members on scrap leather, this allows them freedom to make mistakes without repercussions. We would never expect someone to walk through the door and do everything perfectly; all of us here have had years of training to get where we are. 

Being patient and enthusiastic with the new recruits is something I try to implement in my training style.  I also find explaining why things are done a certain way really helps to cement the knowledge for a trainee; they are more likely to retain the information if they understand how crucial a process is to the longevity of a product.  

Name some highlights during your role at Westley Richards?

I thoroughly enjoy problem solving, so naturally product development is one of my favourite jobs here. Most recently, I have been heavily involved in the creation of our new Westley Richards Tote Bag, working closely with the creative director and the design team to bring their idea to fruition. I thoroughly enjoyed prototyping this product, as it allowed me to use my problem solving skills to perfect the construction of this durable, yet aesthetically appealing bag.

Another career highlight for me would be making my first Explora Rucksack, having always been a lover of a versatile and utilitarian bag, gaining the skills and knowledge required to construct this bag was a definite high point.