On Friday I was invited down to visit the Zatchels factory, to celebrate the opening of their new factory store. The company is based right here in my home city of Leicester, where their small team of skilled leather craftspeople hand make each satchel to order. Leicester used to be one of the major hubs for clothing & accessory manufacture in the UK, but sadly these days most of those factories are now abandoned, demolished or being turned into apartments, as most of the work has gone abroad. So it makes me really happy, and a little fuzzy inside to see great local companies like Zatchels keeping it British & local too, and of course I wanted to lend my support & help them celebrate!
We were given a tour of the small factory where the bags are made, and it was so interesting to see the various processes each bag goes through before it becomes the final, finished product. Stacks upon stacks, and roll & rolls of leather are piled up in one corner, every colour & finish imaginable. My eyes had a field day taking in all of the colours & textures. These are then cut out into the individual components that make up each bag, then passed along to the machinists who skillfully turn these pieces into finished satchels. Rivets, buckles & other hardware are then added before being passed along to quality control to make sure it’s perfect. Any bags that do not make the grade are not sent out, instead they are taken to the factory shop where they are discounted upto 40% depending on severity of the fault. I have to say though, looking at the bags in the shop, I could barely notice the imperfections, often it’s a tiny scratch in the leather or a slight wobbly stitch. It’s nice to see that their standards are so high.
Along at the shop we were able to browse the huge selection of bags & treated to cupcakes, strawberries & cream and fresh lemonade & orange juice. My favourites were the metallics, the gold & deep midnight purple especially. I’m still daydreaming about how beautiful the almost blackened purple would look against my all black outfits, giving them a subtle hint of colour & a little extra dimension with the foil finish. The Hello Kitty collection also caught my eye, although I wouldn’t personally wear them (even though a little part of me really wants one!), I must admit I did squeal ‘cuuuute!’ as soon as I saw them. Any of you who’ve seen my Hyper Japan post will know I have a soft spot for anything kawaii!
Tara says
Wow, how amazing! This reminds me of the Dr. Martens factory tour I went on. I’d love to see the satchels being made. Love British brands. <3
Laura says
Love this kind of tours where you get to see the inside of the fabric, the real “how this is made” piece by piece. I have to say that if it involves leather it’s even better.
xXx
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FAIIINT says
I totally agree, nothing beats the smell of a leather workshop!
Grom says
Enjoyed reading this post, very interesting & great photos Steph– well done you. xx
Melissa Araujo says
How fun and cool to be able to go to a factory. With all these fashion issues around the globe about slave labour adn sweat shop things is good to see a free well run place. xx
M
FAIIINT says
Yeah, it makes me happy to know there are still people doing it this way, even if it does cost a little more. They were such a nice little team, only about 20ish people & such a nice atmosphere!
heather says
OOO how cool!! I want all of the bags (including the Hello Kitty bag…I’m a closeted Hello Kitty fan). Anyway this is so cool, I love seeing how things are made since it really never crosses our minds how much work was put into making our goods that we buy.
<3
heather
fashionistanygirl.com
FAIIINT says
I think I’m a closeted HK fan too! I have quite a few stuffed toys .etc of her… You would never guess my room is filled with cute plushies from the way I dress would you?! Haha! I am very tempted to buy a bag, though I think you would all die of shock to see me wearing one! ;)
J says
The purple metallic is gorgeous! Very cool field trip!
PixelHazard says
ARGH THE HELLO KITTIES!
@pixelhazard | Bright Green Laces |
ROXTHEFOX says
How cool is that? How did you even come upon this factory tour? I’ve never heard of this brand, but their stuff looks amazing. I would die for that Hello Kitty bag, and the rolls look so delicious. Thanks for sharing this experience with us!
http://WWW.ROXTHEFOX.COM
FAIIINT says
I was invited by their PR company, who are also based in Leicester & as I’ve spoken with them before they knew I was local :) I agree, I want the Kitty bags too!
rakhshanda says
Wow, How fun and cool to be able to go to a factory. Love all bags <3
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Josie says
I agree, it’s nice that it’s all British! I didn’t know they did backpacks, I’m in love with the black one. And I also really feel like I need a Hello Kitty bag haha xxx
FAIIINT says
I know, I never really wanted a backpack until I saw these, they are so squishy & lovely! The one up there is actually navy though, and they don’t have black ones yet, if they did I would have brought one there & then! ;)
Tanja says
Oh wow, this factory visit must have been amazing! I love the satchels, they look absolutely amazing.
daniela says
steph! this looks amazing – especially the cupcakes and hello kitty satchels!
you loo sooo much more italian than me! xx
Maria says
Oh wow, this would have been incredible, I love seeing how things are made :)
Maria xxx
Sonia says
Awww how darling! I feel you about factories and general workmanship moving overseas, it seems that lately that is all you hear, especially in Australia everything is moving overseas unfortunately so brands that remain on home soil and loyally employ locals is just wonderful! I am yet to purchase a satchel buuuuut if I do I’m totally supporting Zatchels!
SDMxx
http://www.daringcoco.com
Steph says
this is so rad! drooling at all the leather, that metallic purple one is particularly lush <3
Pourquoi moi? says
WooW. It’s amazing!!!!
I love zatchels bags!!! You’ve luck!!!
Kisses from Spain
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FASHION TALES says
Seeing all of this leathe rmakes me happy, lol. Looks like my old work place. Zatchels is a good brand, I love those bags. :-) /Madison
miranda says
This would be soo much fun to do! Thanks for sharing :) I like see/hearing about ow things are made.
XX,
Miranda
Hannah says
I never realised Zatchels are based in Leicester – that’s pretty awesome :) it’s great to hear of locally made products and brands. I love the satchels made by Zatchels – and I can’t resist cooing over the Hello Kitty ones either haha. Sounds like you had a wonderful tour of the factory, those cakes look delicious! xx
Robyn says
OH MY!!! The hello kitty one!!! I know what I’m putting on my (extra extra early..) Christmas list!