Interview at Cockpit Arts for a Leathersellers' Award
Last Wednesday, we were sitting in a small room at Cockpit Arts Holborn, with four persons whose decision could make a big difference in the future of the Steven Harkin Handbags brand.
Our time in Australia coming to an end, reassured about Steve's mother's health, it seemed obvious to us that we needed to come back to Britain where our business started 12 years ago. We were missing our friends and our faithful customers.
So, last January, we started looking at workshop spaces in London.
Why London?
London is the place that offers the most opportunities of networking, being seen by people that count, where everything is available (tools, materials, courses, exhibitions, ...) and 3/4 of our customers live or work. We already have a presence in Dragana Perisic's shop in Shoreditch and we are talking of a collaboration with her, where I would work two days a week. Our success at Dazzle-Exhibitions for the past four years shows too that it is the right place for our bags.
Why Cockpit Arts?
Because we felt we fitted perfectly in their offer: "Whether you’ve just launched your business or you’re more established, having a studio at Cockpit Arts with the support provided by our unique Business Incubator model can help you to realise your creative and business goals and achieve greater success."
When we found out that the Deptford branch also has a Leather Hub, we thought the Universe was providing us with the perfect environment!
The Leathersellers' Awards
When we applied for a space, we were advised to also apply for one of Cockpit Arts/Leathersellers' Awards.
"These Awards are generously sponsored by The Leathersellers’ Company Charitable Fund. Previous award winners include Laura Amstein (2012), Benjamin John Hall (2013-14), Georgina Brett Chinnery, Ben Elbel, Maria McLean and Mark Tallowin (2014), Fflur Owen, Candice Lau and Asdrubal Barreto-Abreu (2015) Charlie Laurie(2016), Joost Pasman and Harry Owen (2017)."
So let's get back to our interview:
The panel consisted of Cockpit Arts Chief Executive, the Head of Cockpit Arts Business Incubator, a representative of Leathersellers' Company Charitable Fund and Bill Amberg for Leather Design & Production, from Bill Amberg Studio.
I wasn't feeling nervous and was confident that Steve's work is so amazing that it wouldn't be difficult to make a good impression... and I know I am not the only one to have this opinion!
But the interview was nothing like we expected. (Is an interview ever predictable?). We both felt pretty discouraged at the end of the 45 minutes.
"When we experience change in our life, we can control our response and reaction to the changes that are happening."
I am a happy subscriber of Daily OM, (it's my spiritual treat to myself). This was the title of Wednesday's newsletter in my inbox... I found it so difficult to stay positive in front of such uncertainty and couldn't help but think that what we wanted was not going to happen! I was feeling so much fear and pain!
"Optimism, enthusiasm, and flexibility will aid you greatly here, as there is nothing to be gained by dwelling on what might have been."
I was so panicking before even knowing what the result would be!
I know we HAVE a great product, we do have lovely customers and supporters many of whom sent us their words of encouragement:
Best wishes"
Jacqueline Roy
"Dear Barbara and Steve
The leather sellers award would be so utterly well deserved... Steve’s create in design- and superb craftsmanship in creating the most beautiful and colourful work is truly unique.
A wearable useful sculpture! What more could celebrate leather workmanship!
Best wishes"
Nicola
I am truly blessed to have been a friend of Steve for 40 plus years – we first met when Steve was going out with a lovely lady who also lived in a share house at Greenwich in Sydney- we were both in our early /mid 20’s . At that time , I had just bought a bush block at Mount Vincent adjoining the Wattagan State forest west of Lake Macquarie near Newcastle in Newsouth Wales Australia . And f**k me , Steve had an acreage block about one kilometre from me- so boy did we share so many out there party times together – Steve was working at a nearby power station – hey making good money but hard slog doing rotating shift work . Steve had a driving passion to persue his love and immense talent at leatherwork. To this day I have a very simplistic in relative terms to his future creations – small leather pouch/bag with a shoulder strap . Steve at that time was exploring and using wet leather moulding technicues – and man on man did he sure use his creative concept ideas and qualitay leather craftmanship – he made a bag based on the old style electris kettle on a carry strap with the bag opening like the lid of a kettle, a bag like the old style toasters that had drop down sides and one of my particular favourites – a MacDonalds shaped hamburger bag – yeah complete with a chesse slice protuding out – and Steve would stain/ colur the leather components so that they such life like creations . Steve , like many artists I believe , then had to spend so much time visiting galleries to have them display and sell his amazing work- also Steve did a lot of wet moulded creations featuring natural occuring things – a clam, a hazelnut and so forth . And further down the track , Steve developed his then clothing and hat range of creations under his then logo of “Simply Leather” – and yeah a have a very cherished leather jacket in a stunning green with black trims and inserts . It is now 30 or more years old and looks as the day it was made. Additionally, during that time Steve ventured into desiogning and making womens clothing – Steve made for my now ex wife 2 sets of leather skirts and jackets – one white with black trimming highlights , the other black with white contrasts – fitted her like a glove and boy or boy did she tell me of the compliments of these spectacular outfits that she wore . Before being a very close and dear friend of mine over many years , I alm always in awe of his artistic, creative and craftmanship abilities Cheers Jesse McHugh
Hi Steve and Barbara, have just read about your award, this is terrific news, just what you wanted. Good luck. Lots of Love Graham and Carolexx
Hurrah! Richly, well-deserved. I’m thrilled for you, and for London. Congratulations!
Absolutely brilliant news Barbara so pleased for you & Steve x
Wow….so fabulously, fantastic and utterly deserved. Great news Steve and Barbara. So pleased to read your blog. A great start to your return to the UK….but we do miss you here!
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