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Artisan Leather Goods by Sole Survivor is much more than a brand. The Sole Survivor name has evolved over the course of 40+ years. The image presented is real, true, genuine. The designers and makers are not a reference to some unidentifiable entity working behind a computer. The designers are three flesh and blood human beings working together face to face, at a work table with sketchbooks, pencils, patterns, paper, and loads of leather, zippers, and hardware waiting to be turned into something new and exciting.
When designing a new item, a meeting is not necessarily a scheduled event. Design sessions happen when inspiration calls. Sometimes the ideas come from a customer comment. Other ideas come directly from our own visions. Inspiration often comes through fashion, both current and historical. (the vast library in the workshop is a valuable asset) Inspiration comes constantly and from all directions. It takes discipline to know which ideas to pursue and which ideas to let go. However, one can't ignore inspiration. When inspiration arrives, it often displaces the current work. Then, everything STOPS. A discussion ensues and after a time, someone wakes up and says "Isn't it time we got back to work?" Meaning, its time to get back to making the items that the artisans were in the middle of making before the unscheduled design meeting. It means getting back to the cutting tables, tools, and/or sewing machines. But, before going back to that interrupted work, lots of notes are taken, leather swatches, sketches and pictures are hurriedly put together and dated. That little pop-up meeting is now clearly documented and put aside until the right time. From that point, working is almost agony until there is time to "circle back" to that new idea!
Sole Survivor Leather Artisans are more than designers. The three family members - Steve, Kay, & Annie, with the assistance of one or two apprentices, are the actual makers of the goods at Sole Survivor.
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