Local Designer Series: Handmade Leather Products can be Found Right Here in Detroit

You may be familiar with Bedrock Beauty, as they were the wonderful local designer who helped us with our GoFundMe campaign, but that may be all you know about them and there is so much more to know. Instead of giving you a little introduction, we'll just get right down to it! 

Image Courtesy of Bedrock Beauty

DGG: Tell us about yourself T. Michael.

T. Michael: Engineer by trade and having a deep fascination for building things during my youth, I took on my first challenge with leather in college to replace my store bought cheap belts by making leather belts from scratch; purchasing some materials and tools from the local Tandy Leather Factory.

Later on in life, I’ve always found it rare to locate local quality leather products that weren’t mass-produced. New York had them, California had them, but not Detroit. Or so it seemed, until I started searching. There are quality leather products in Michigan that are handmade but just not what I was looking for. I started to read books and online articles on how to make leather products and then there was YouTube that took it to the next level of tutorials. I found myself indulging into video after video for days on end. This was a fascination that helped me get my start. After continued tutorials from multiple online sources, which there are many to choose from, I value and prefer the traditional old-world European style craftsmanship.

DGG: Tell us about Bedrock Beauty.

TM: The name Bedrock Beauty stands for ‘Beautifully Strong’ or ‘Well Built’. In other words, it describes to me something that is solid as a bedrock or strong with beauty to match; hence the name Bedrock Beauty. We wanted to build beautiful bespoke products and no matter what they were, they had to be solid or built with quality and visually beautiful.

Our branding represents quality that, if taken care of, could last a lifetime. We also wanted beauty, something to appeal to the senses; sight, touch, and smell that pull you in and give you an appreciation that only bespoke can. Don’t get me wrong, there are many great mass-produced products out there with quality, but we want the one we make for you to have no duplicate.

Image Courtesy of Bedrock Beauty

DGG: What made you want to commit to making all of your handbags by hand? 

TM: We wanted to get back to simple because simple is the most beautiful. We nearly worship this time-honored craft. When it’s done right, it’s a sign of luxury and only those who know luxury can tell. If you take a look at the top luxury brands, most are handmade. Hermès, Rolls Royce and even Ralph Lauren’s Purple Label are good examples of this. However, not all things made with the hands are considered handmade and not all things handmade are considered luxury.

We use the traditional saddle stitch. This stitch, in my opinion, is the superior stitch. This is where two needles are used, normally, with a waxed linen or polyester (Tiger Thread) that goes through each piece of leather and secures it in place, as oppose to machine stitching where there is thread at the top and the bottom. These threads cross each other in the middle never going through the material completely. If a stitch becomes undone or is accidentally cut, the line of stitching can become unraveled. This doesn’t happen with the saddle stitch.

Image Courtesy of Bedrock Beauty

DGG: What was your inspiration for your most recent line of handbags?

TM: Currently, we decided to build portfolio, document and iPad cases for the Executive, Lawyer, Business Professionals, or those wanting a quality handmade case. The inspiration comes from wanting to bring back the vintage style case made of full grain leather, hand-dyed, hand-cut and hand-stitched using some of the finest leather and solid hardware. Most of our work is inspired by luxury designers dating back to the 1800s. Nothing compares to the history of these designers’ work that influences their current creations with only making slight design implementations; yet, they still make everything by hand. 

DGG: What is your most favorite type of handbag to make and why?

TM: The Tote Bag because there are so many variations, but my true love is the briefcase because it is one of the most challenging leather products to build when made correctly. The thickness of the leather and detailed stitching that most machines are not capable of performing give the hands a true advantage when building this type of case. For instance, our Grand Travel Sport Briefcase would require an expensive and a specific type of sewing machine to create, thus making it my most favorite.

DGG: Tell us about your product line. Do you plan on expanding it?

TM: We currently build anything with leather and our collection consists of handbags, cases, tech accessories and journals. Everything is made custom and can be made from your design or drawing. Our plan to expand into leather shoes is an option we are currently evaluating.

Image Courtesy of Bedrock Beauty

DGG: Describe your office space?

TM: We have a small production studio with approximately 200 square feet with cutting table, basic leather tools and storage for leather and hardware, a computer and television, a desk for administrative work and a second table for cutting, sewing and hardware installation.

DGG: Describe your style.

TM: Simple and classic tailored suits when attending events, and jeans or shorts and sports shirt, depending on the weather, when out on leisure.

DGG: What is your most favorite article of clothing you own, and why?

TM: My favorite article of clothing would be my running shoes for the comfort and creative ideas I get when taking a morning run to clear my thoughts.

DGG: How do you take your coffee?

TM: No coffee. Black or green tea with honey.

DGG: Cross body bag or bucket bag?

TM: Cross body for the ease of use as most of my clients prefer.

DGG: Alexander McQueen or Burberry?

TM:  Alexander McQueen makes some serious handbags and travel products.