RAG OF COLTS X BONFIELD BLOCK PRINTERS
Rag of Colts and Bonfield Block Printers launched a collaboration collection, ‘The Lost Bags’. The limited collection consists of only ten bags and each ‘Lost Bag’ is one of a kind.
Rag of Colts is a handmade repurposed leather brand based in Bruton, Somerset, England. By upcycling British saddlery leather, the brand produces handcrafted accessories in Bruton studio.
Meanwhile, Bonfield Block Printers is a workshop co-founded by duo artists, Cameron Short and Janet Tristram. Their items include unique furniture, garments, cushions, lampshades, prints on paper, and more.
For the collaboration, the new 10 limited edition bags feature a block-printed image and text on durable fabric by the Bonfield Block Printers, while the antique leather shoulder strap is crafted by Caroline Strecker, a designer of Rag of Colts. The sturdy textile is circa C19th made from antique linen and hemp, giving a lovely pale, chalky appearance.
Its unique details make the bags look like old treasures: a natural straw color, hand-stitching details, a burnished leather strap, and a heavy, antiqued brass zip closure.
For the final touch, the bag was gently brushed with traditional rabbit skin glue to give the desired sculptural feel and protection as well.
More about the Rag of Colts
In 2016, Rag of Colts was launched by Caroline Strecker, a designer, maker, and leatherworker. Borne out of family history, the sustainable leather brand loves British heritage and well-worn leather. Her passion for sustainability lead to repurposing leather saddles that would otherwise be discarded in a landfill.
The leather goods include bags, belts, and cases. All these items are handmade by Caroline from the very first cut, to the very last burnish. Each has its own beautiful patina of old leather saddles, aged to perfection over decades of use. To craft leather goods, Caroline uses only traditional leather working tools and saddle stitched by hand, with an awl, needles, and waxed linen thread.
