The next in our creative collaboration series features Michelle from MW Makes who creates handmade leather goods for the everyday. Recently, she has collaborated with textile designer and fellow Shopping with Soul member Samantha Warren on a range of leather accessories titled ‘Komorebi’.

HOW DID YOU BOTH MEET? 

We first met at a Crafty Fox market two years ago when we shared a table. It was the first market that Crafty Fox did at The Department Store in Brixton, as part of the London Design Festival. 

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO COLLABORATE?

We had a mutual respect and interest in each other's work and felt that the two styles would compliment each other really well, which they did!

TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR NEW COLLABORATIVE COLLECTION ‘KOMOREBI’

I (Michelle) am leather crafter and Samantha is a print designer so we utilised our skills and combined these to make a collection of leather accessories. We created a range called 'Komorebi' which is a Japanese word referring to the sunlight filtering through the leaves. Samantha hand-painted each leather piece with leaves and branches and within the collection we created a twilight range (black print on black leather) and a dawn range (iridescence on natural leather).

HAS THIS COLLABORATION BEEN GOOD FOR BUSINESS? 

Yes, it's allowed us to develop a range of products that appeal to our existing customers and also reach new customers.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU OFFER EMERGING DESIGNER MAKERS?

There's a really great community amongst designer makers, who are always willing to give tips, so don't be afraid to ask!

WOULD YOU COLLABORATE AGAIN? 

Yes! We recently made a custom laptop case for a customer who really liked our original collection. The collection worked really well and we're both so passionate about design, it would be a pleasure to work together again.

You can find Michelle from MW Makes back at our next Crafty Fox Christmas Market where we return to The Department Store, Brixton on 23 & 24 November.

And find more amazing handmade products from both makers on their websites MW Makes and Samantha Warren London.