Leather accessories with a difference

Pi-Ying Chen runs a stall selling hand crafted goods Photos: Emily Jupp

Pi-Ying Chen runs a stall selling hand crafted goods Photos: Emily Jupp

Pi-Ying Chen runs a stall at Spitalfields Market selling hand crafted leather bags, Oyster card holders and purses made from inner tubes.

ELL: “So how long have you been here?”

Pi-Ying: “I have been here since January this year which was around the time I switched from designing clothes to making bags.”

ELL: “So you’re a fashion designer?”

Pi-Ying: “Yes, I trained at the London College of Fashion, near Oxford Street, but I found clothes take a very long time to make, whereas bags take only a few hours.”

ELL: “How long do the little purses take?” (pointing to 10cm diameter round purse)

Pi-Ying: “Around two hours. I weave the contrasting coloured leather in and out of the main piece of leather to create the design. My boyfriend also makes these coin purses, they are made from recycled inner tubes.”

Pi-Ying’s bags range from £5 to £30, with a small purse costing £18.

See Pi-Ying’s work at www.bichen.etsy.com

One Response

  1. Janiece Hardgrove February 1, 2011

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