Early influences

I was born in Britain to British/Czech parents, and raised in Holland. In my 20s I travelled throughout Europe and now speak fluent Dutch, Czech, Spanish and French. This has given me a multi-cultural outlook which is reflected in my work.

I have had a lifelong passion for transforming things rather than throwing them away. At an early age I was altering and remaking hand-me-downs from my big sister so that I would be wearing something original. Living on the road made me aware of all the materials that were being thrown away, but which could, with imagination, be turned into something beautiful and useful. I realised I have a natural artistic flair which is inspired by the form and texture of what many would see as rubbish. I started making bags out of inner tubes in 1999 as a consequence of living and travelling in a converted fire engine – it was a readily available material which I discovered I could shape using traditional leatherwork techniques I had seen in Spain.

Work and Design experience

My early work background includes language jobs such as teaching, editing and proof reading when I was based in Europe. I also worked as a masseuse and have designed and made the décor for Festival events.

In 2007 I set up my own design company when I returned to the UK to live in Bristol. Promoting awareness of the environment and of the resources and materials we use daily are essential elements in all my creations. To date, these range from fashion accessories to furniture, chandeliers and lighting, wall-hangings and large interactive sculptures. I am continuing to develop my ideas. I love beauty and originality, which I express through transforming discarded objects into useful and well-designed products. I am drawn to the fashion world which I see as an art form, but my beliefs and experience lead me to being resourceful and stylish rather than a follower of fashion.

In addition to being a designer I hold workshops to teach others how to turn unwanted items into usable, pleasing art.

Current Collection

My current collection is called re-Collect. The bags and purses are made of truck inner tubes. The straps on them are old car seatbelts. The belts are made of bike tyres. All these materials are collected locally and everything is hand-made, cut and sewn in my Bristol workshop without the use of industrial machinery or exploited labour. The materials make a great alternative to animal products and their properties mean that each product is unique: a bag can be cut from the same pattern as another but the outcome will always be different.

“Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful” - William Morris.