Author: Igor

Tärnsjö Garveri

Tärnsjö Garveri is a Swedish tannery which has hand-crafted leather accessories since 1873. Owned by Axel Bodén and Torbjörn Lundin since 1993, Tärnsjö Garveri employs 50 artisans and produces premium leather accessories for their own label and clients such as Our Legacy, Frederica Furniture and Gant Rugger.

We talked to its creative director, Simon Hjälte, to find out more about this iconic company.

Photos by Laura Iisalo.

www.tarnsjogarveri.com

Please tell us about yourself. What was your background before working at Tärnsjö Garveri?

Before my position as creative director at Tärnsjö Garveri I ran my own clothing store through which I came in contact with Tärnsjö Tannery and its unique possibilities. In fact, most of my experience comes from creating extraordinary retail experiences and professionally I have been working as a buyer as well as a tailor. To summarise, you could say that I curate experiences coming from more than the end product…

What are your main responsibilities at Tärnsjö Garveri?

My title is Marketing Director, My execution is as creative director and my dream is becoming a partner. This means that I have a finger in everything that leaves Tärnsjö Tannery if its purpose is to extend the tannery experience beyond our zip code. I see it as a responsibility to make our leather and products synonymous with a rustic elegance aesthetic, and our persona understood as affordable luxury.

While making it very clear that everything we do has a clear purpose and always shows the greatest respect towards Mother Nature by making our business and production process as sustainable and ecological as possible.

What makes Tärnsjö Garveri different from other leather manufacturers?

A lot of things. First and foremost, we are amongst the remaining 5% of tanneries still tanning vegetably using bark extract instead of chrome excel.

However, I wouldn´t limit our uniqueness as a company to being only involved in the tanning business. We have been around since 1873 and “time gone by” has developed us so that today we are a company manufacturing products in a near closed-loop model.

We receive raw hides and tan it to premium leather on the ground floor. On our second floor we finish to different type leathers varying greatly in thickness and suitable use. On the third floor we craft products out of this leather in our saddlery.

Tell us about The Icon Collection? How did this idea originate?

The idea originates out of the uniqueness described above. We felt that we should take more advantage of our closed-loop solution by adding the “end consumer” to our target group. Also, we felt that the time was right since, if we are reading trends right, the WTP (will to pay) is increasing. Gladly so!

What are Tärnsjö Garveri’s future plans?

Since we adhere to the concept of organic growth our future plan is to take it slow, leaning against our core values on our journey to increase awareness with the “common man” positioning us as “No mather what the intended use might be, Tärnsjö leather is the natural choice for high quality.”

September 15, 2015
Five ways to protect your belongings when out and about

Have you had an item stolen from you before? Most of us will own the likes of phones, wallets, laptops, jewellery or bikes which make our lives easier and carry sentimental value — but could unfortunately be targets for thieves.

Though still lower than in decades gone by, theft in the UK is on the rise in recent years. If your prized possessions have taken months or even years of careful financial management to pay for, here are five ways to protect what’s rightfully yours.

Keep your bag close

Bags are an easy target for what they could have inside. Try not to leave yours out of sight in public places and consider wearing it on your front when in crowded areas such as train and underground stations to make it harder to snatch.

We all lose things by accident from time to time. Attaching a tag with your name and contact details could allow a kind stranger to help your bag find its way back to you.

Be aware of your surroundings

There are times when you may want to tune out of everything around you and get lost in your own world. Doing so could land you in trouble in certain situations however, so try to stay savvy to prevent anything being stolen without you noticing.

Keep your headphone volume low enough to hear what’s going on when in public places, and make sure to report anything that looks suspicious.

Don’t flaunt your possessions

If you’ve spent money on a fancy necklace or a new smartphone, it’s understandable that you may want to show it off a little — but you’re not always in control of exactly who you’re showing it off to.

Don’t leave expensive items on show in your car, cover up your jewellery in public spaces, and only get your wallet or purse out when you need it.

Lock it up

In many cases, thieves will target items that are easy to steal without anyone being any the wiser. Using a lock could be enough to deter potential criminals and keep your possessions safe.

Always secure your bike with a lock when leaving it in public spaces and attach a padlock to your rucksack when travelling or attending events.

Take out insurance

Even when you take all the necessary steps to protect your belongings, sometimes the worst still happens. All is not lost, however — as long as you have insurance.

Many expensive items can be purchased with insurance added on to cover you in case they get stolen, lost or damaged.

Are you street-smart with your possessions? With a few of the tips above, you’ll be able to keep what’s yours, yours.

September 9, 2015
Where to Stay in Dublin

Image source

Lots of families, couples, and friends enjoy a weekend break now and again in order to spend some quality time together and get away from the stresses of everyday life. Most choose to stay close to the UK because going further afield can be too much of a hassle for a mere weekend. But where should you go?

Dublin is proving to be a popular choice because of its beautiful surroundings and wealth of tourist attractions. The city features an array of stunning landscapes. Via visiting Dublin you will get to witness tranquil and unspoilt countryside, which truly gives you the basis to relax and rejuvenate. Moreover, there is a whole host of things to do, such as seeing a music event at the arena, heading to the theatre, and, of course, enjoying a weekend at the races. There are a lot of racecourses close to Dublin, like Punchestown and Leopardstown. They all provide a great place to enjoy a day out, whether you are a big racing fan or not.

As well as planning what you are going to do in the popular city, you will also need to consider the different hotels in Dublin so that you can find somewhere to stay for your vacation. There are several things that you need to consider in order to ensure that you find the best hotel.

First and foremost, you need to determine a budget. After all, there is a whole host of hotels in Dublin, and thus they differ in price from place to place. By determining a budget range you can narrow down your search effectively. Nevertheless, it is important to be mindful of going for the cheapest option. If you are going for a weekend break then you want to stay somewhere nice which will enhance your experience. A budget hotel is likely to offer you the bare minimum and you won’t enjoy your experience anywhere as much.

In addition to this, you also need a hotel that enhances your stay and provides you with the best of what Dublin has to offer. As mentioned, Dublin boasts some fantastic countryside and thus it is worth staying in a hotel which is situated with beautiful views. Some of the best hotels in Dublin take advantage of this with the likes of luxury golf courses.

A lot of people prefer to go for a cheaper hotel that is in a better location and gives them the ability to keep some money spare so they can make the most of everything Dublin has to offer in terms of entertainment. A budget hotel nearby near 3 Arena would be a good choice. There are always lots of great events going on here. You can expect all of the world’s most famous musicians.

You also need to decide what board you want, such as; all inclusive, self catering, half board, bed and breakfast and alike. Most people tend to opt for bed and breakfast or half board. This is because it provides them with a good breakfast when they wake up, yet they still have license to explore and try different cafes and restaurants around Dublin during either lunch or dinner.

Continuing on the theme of food, make sure that the hotel boasts an impressive restaurant. Some of the most luxurious hotels will boast award winning restaurants, and these really enhance your stay. After all, there is nothing better than indulging in some lavish food whilst enjoying a weekend’s break.

It is also a good idea to take the time to read reviews that have been left by people that have stayed in the hotels you are considering before. This will give you the chance to see what they have had to say about their experience, including whether they enjoyed their time there and any handy tips or things to be mindful of. Make sure you use independent review platforms so you can be sure the comments are genuine. This is a must.

All in all, Dublin offers a fantastic place to stay for those seeking a weekend’s vacation. In order to find the best hotels in Dublin you should contemplate budget, board basis, quality of food and surroundings.

September 5, 2015
Studio Collect

Studio Collect is an Antwerp-based jewellery label founded by designers Hermien Cassiers, Saskia Govaerts, Magaly Hermans and Hannah van Lith. They all met while studying at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts and after realising that they shared similar ideas and vision, decided to start Studio Collect in February 2013.

Our contributing photographer Joke De Wilde visited their studio in Antwerp and we interviewed them to find out more about their beginnings, inspirations and future plans.

Photos by Joke de Wilde.

www.studiocollect.com

How did Studio Collect start?

We met at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp where we studied Jewellery Design. During our studies we instantly felt there was a connection between us: we discussed our work processes, gave each other feedback and shared similar ideas about jewellery design. Once we graduated, we looked for a workspace we could share to continue our individual work. In the suburbs of Antwerp we found the perfect space in a former factory. First, we each worked on our own designs, but after a few months we felt the need to join forces and work on a collection designed by the four of us. Today we are two years old and have already worked on two collections. The third collection will be launched this fall.

With four designers behind the label, how do you organise yourselves and assign roles?

When it comes to designing a collection, we work very closely together. We each bring different inspirations to the table and discuss them. Once we have decided what topic we find most interesting, we start drawing or making prototypes in 3D. Throughout that process we constantly show our ideas to each other and ask for everyone’s opinion. Because we all have a different approach to the subject we are working on, this often leads to unexpected and interesting results. Because every piece is passed through four pairs of hands, none of them are made by just one, but by all of us.

Off course running a small company is not only about making the product, there are a lot of other things you have to take care of. Luckily we are a complimentary team and have our own skills and strengths, so we can divide all tasks equally. For instance, one of us takes care of the accounting, one organizes the production, another one takes care of the communication, etc. But we help each other out when needed.

Please tell us a little bit about the main inspirations behind Studio Collect’s pieces.

Our inspiration is often derived from architectural forms and compositions. But furniture and objects can also fascinate us, or a certain material, things we see in the street, a technique, etc. it’s usually a mix between those elements that leads us to our collections. We aim to make inventive jewellery with designs that aren’t obvious. Every piece we make is something we would wear ourselves.

What are Studio Collect’s future plans?

During the last few months our company is starting to grow as we have three new shops, two in Amsterdam and one in Utrecht, that will sell our collections. It is exciting to know other people who like what we make and support us – it is a very rewarding feeling. Those things give us the motivation and energy to keep going. In the near future we want to make sure more and more people get to know Studio Collect and find more retailers across Europe to sell our pieces. But most of all, we want to continue getting inspired by each other and creating jewellery.

September 2, 2015
Marriott Edinburgh Festival 2015 – Revel Like a Local

Last month we were approached by Marriott International and asked to recommend some of our favourite places in Edinburgh to visit during the Festival. We love the cultural and entertainment offer that visitors can enjoy during the Festival month, but sometimes it can get too hectic and we recommend exploring the city’s streets to find some of Edinburgh’s cafés, restaurants and shops outside the Festival’s circuit.

That’s the reason why we’ve created this video featuring five different places you can discover if you’re visiting Edinburgh during the Festival: Scottish homeware and furniture shop ANTA, coffee shop Cult Espresso, tapestry studios and gallery Dovecot Studios, Edinburgh-handcrafted gin Pickering’s Gin and restaurant and bar Blackfriars.

You can find more information about each of these places on Marriott’s Edinburgh Festival Tumblr, where you will also find good advice on how to make the most of your visit to Edinburgh during the Festival!

August 19, 2015