The designers at Billykirk, Inc. have been creating hand crafted leather accessories since 1999. The founders, brothers Kirkland and Christopher Bray, studied for three years under a third generation leather maker in the Artist District of Los Angeles.
Already having an affinity for antiques, western Americana and vintage leather craft it was easy for them to go and work each day with pre-WWI machines and tools that their mentor's Grandfather had acquired. After understanding the brothers' passion for using these historic relics one can start to appreciate why the weight and size of an antique cobblers hammer or the worn smoothness surrounding a 90-year-old cutting table is something special. Being taught these age-old techniques instilled in them an appreciation and understanding of how leather making used to be done.
Their collection consists of a variety of products from hand painted bracelets and wallets to belts, satchels and bags. They have been catering to the high-end boutique business and the celebrity crowd in the United States and abroad since Billykirk's inception. They came into the accessories industry at a time when the art of leather craft was in the beginning stages of yet another renaissance.
The brothers quickly set out to prove that their brand of leather craft had a place in this ever changing market. Fortunately, they were on target and have been selling to many of the same stores since the beginning. Obviously, to keep these long relationships and to attract new ones it is paramount that the Billykirk brand embodies quality, integrity, consistency and good design.
After working at their mentor's factory, honing their own particular style, Kirk and Chris relocated to their own studio workshop in Los Angeles. Following 3 years there, and nearly 10 years in California, the East Coast which had been calling for years, finally won them over. Originally from Minneapolis/St. Paul they had been craving the change of seasons, shorter flights to Europe and having NYC at their grasp. Now re-located in the Powerhouse Arts District of downtown Jersey City, they look forward to expanding their collection, developing more designer collaborations and to one day opening their first Billykirk store.
Billykirk is constantly working toward the perfect combination of vintage leather craftsmanship, utilitarian ideals, originality, and items that will wear like an old pair of jeans or boots. Billykirk strives for an aesthetic that does not necessarily want to be the focus of attention, but instead blend into the wearer's everyday clothing choice. Quality will never be sacrificed for quantity, because at the end of the day, what really matters is that the item "wears in" well and lasts.
www.billykirk.com
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