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Bar Grexa

Loughborough University

With a background in mathematics and finance, I initially built a career in software, eventually founding and selling my own tech company. After exiting the tech startup world, I chose to follow a long-standing passion: restoring and handcrafting leather handbags. Over the past decade, I’ve lived in Southeast Asia, where I immersed myself in traditional leathercraft techniques and the world of luxury accessories. My journey led me to the The Exotic Bag Making Institute in Bangkok, where I trained in the art of high-end handbag making. Today, I merge technical precision with artistic craftsmanship—creating pieces that honor traditional leatherwork while embracing timelessl design. My work is grounded in sustainability and a deep appreciation for the enduring quality of real leather.

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Legacy in Leather by Atelier Cabella

Category: Accessories

Competitions: International

In a world addicted to novelty, Atelier Cabella stands for something quieter, more radical: longevity. We return to the forgotten promise of true luxury — that the finest things are made to endure. Our submission, Legacy in Leather, is a celebration of slow luxury: handcrafted, made-to-order, and built to age beautifully. This piece is designed not to follow trends, but to transcend them. It’s made from full-traceability leather, sourced exclusively from tanneries offering complete visibility from hide to finish. Our design focus centers on heritage silhouettes reinterpreted for longevity — timeless styles that outlast fleeting trends. Each piece is conceived with repairability at its core, from reinforced stress points and modular construction. Seam placement and stitching techniques are carefully considered to allow for future disassembly and restoration. Materials are chosen not only for their beauty but for their ability to age gracefully and endure repairs. Every element — from thread to hardware — is meticulously selected and logged in a digital product passport. This embedded, scannable record chronicles provenance, materials, repairs, and the evolving story of the piece, turning a handbag into a living document of craftsmanship and care. Rooted in the heritage of fine European leatherwork and crafted with the future in mind, this is more than a bag — it is a living heirloom. Designed to weather time, restore gracefully, and never be replaced — only repaired, reimagined, and remembered.

In association with Arts Thread

Working with our partners at Arts Thread to develop lifelong learning and career opportunities for students of fashion and design. Our partnership provides the opportunity to compete on a world stage, participate in industry led workshops, set up an outstanding portfolio and gain access to the resources that will kickstart careers in fashion and design.