DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT
Support independent businesses and meet the creatives making waves in the interiors world. This month, we look at the many practical and beautiful uses for crafted and painted leather
The independent businesses getting creative with leather
Texture is crucial to an interior scheme, thanks to its ability to add ‘visual depth’ to a space. From plywood to brass and cork to marble, the options for adding it are more exciting than ever – but have you thought about leather? It might seem like an unusual option for your home, but leather can add a quirky, contemporary edge to a room scheme. It’s versatile, too: from shelf straps to door pulls, there are plenty of ideas out there for integrating it into your scheme. This month we speak to designer Sally Tooth, who does amazing things with this humble yet versatile material.
Q
How would you describe your business in a sentence? A We’re an award winning leather accessories brand that represents simplicity, quality and style, with a real attention to detail.
Q
Where did you come up with the idea for Konoc? A
It started on the beaches of Thailand – Konoc is translated from the Thai for Bird Feather. My fiancé, Jay, taught me how to hand sew leather when we lived in Ko Samui together almost 10 years ago. We were completely self taught, selling our makes at night markets and eventually getting our own shop in one of the villages.
We created leather goods, jewellery and tie-dye tees in our beach hut in the day and then drove down to the markets on our vintage Vespa with a sidecar full of all our creations.
Our customers were mainly holidaymakers, but we had a great relationship with the locals, too. We drank mojitos together and bought their food while selling to the passing tourists. It was a different life back then. I loved it, but I also love how it’s evolved into what it is now.
Q
What’s your favourite thing about what you do? A
Sitting at my desk, listening to music in my home studio while working with the leathers, suedes and a rotary knife, is pure bliss for me. I love putting colours together or coming up with new ideas. I never use a sketchbook or make templates – I dive straight in with creating it in leather. It always comes together quite suddenly, evolving as I go.
Q
Why do you like working with leather as a material? A
I love to use leather in its simplest forms, not overcomplicating the designs and letting the leather ‘do the talking’. We use British-sourced, high quality, thick leathers for our products in a wide range of classic and contemporary colours. A big part of our brand identity is the personalisation. Embossing into the leather gives a unique finishing touch.
Q
What has been your proudest moment – or moments – so far? A I find this question so hard! I’m such a perfectionist, and as a business, we’re constantly growing, learning and changing with the times. I guess I’m proud to have been able to ride the waves of the
last 12 months as a business and mother of two. There have been ups and downs, but to still be here and growing feels like a huge achievement. I’m very thankful for that.
Another big moment was being nominated by Holly Tucker (founder of Not on the High Street) for an award last year. To be recognised and celebrated like that felt overwhelmingly special.
And being in the position to be building a beautiful home studio in our new garden, so we can get staff in to help as the business continues to grow, feels pretty exciting – I can’t wait for that!
Q
Anything else we need to know? A
We’ve got more products launching soon and some really cool collabs coming up, too. It’s been a crazy start to the year, but I’m so excited to see what happens next!
Follow Konoc @we_are_konoc and shop the products online at konoc.com.