ALL ABOUT LEATHER

By Benjamen Judd

Saint Crispin (and his twin brother, St Crispinian) were the French patron saints of cobblers, tanners, and leather workers. The reason for this is because, after a hard day preaching the gospel to the local pagans, they then stayed up all night making shoes. Just like magical elves!

Saint Crispin is also the name used by Sydney-based leather worker, Craig Jones. Jones uses traditional tanning and stretching techniques to create beautiful leather accessories for the body and the home.

After studying textile design in Glasgow, Craig roamed the wilderness of Europe before coming to settle on Sydney’s sandy shores. But it was only last year that Craig finally took hold of the reigns and launched what is now arguably one of the finest leather-based labels in Sydney.

Currently, Saint Crispin has a range of table-runners, cushions and bags already in the market (all made from butter-soft leathers in rich caramel and browns), which can be found at Potts Point boutique, Becker Minty, and Small Spaces in Redfern. This year there has also been a release of smartphone cases (so you can get rid of those awful rubber things and replace it with something that is not only nicer to touch but gets nicer with age).

This year, word on the street is that Craig intends to release a wider variety of bags under the Saint Crispin brand, such as some rucksacks, and to continue to develop his homewares line.

For more information, you can head to Saint Crispin’s website. Or, head to Becker and Minty in Potts Point, located at Shop 7 Ikon Building, 81 Macleay Street (entrance via Manning Street) and Small Spaces at 674 Bourke Street, Redfern.