I’m lucky to live in a lovely part of Clevedon called the Hill and Sea area. There are four very distinct areas within the Hill and Sea area, notably Hill Road, Alexandra Road, Bellevue Road, and the seafront, each with its unique charm and character. I know them all very well because each area is home to a wonderful selection of independent shops, pubs, bars, restaurants, and cafes, which I visit regularly, enjoying the vibrant local atmosphere and the personal touch these businesses offer.
It was while I was indulging in a bit of window shopping in the Bellevue Road area that I noticed a previously empty shop, set well back from the road, was now housing something called Atelier. The name intrigued me, and I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of creative enterprise had taken up residence in this unassuming space.
Curiosity piqued, I decided to have a mooch. Initially, I was not planning to buy anything, but as soon as I stepped inside, I was captivated by the carefully curated collection. It’s quite a small space, but every inch is filled with the most beautiful, handcrafted products: leather goods, jewellery, artistic cards, and an array of other very unique gifts. Resistance was futile! I surrendered and started my Christmas shopping!
I had a lovely conversation with Rachel, who explained that the Atelier was home to herself @keepstudioleather and Katie (aka Bird) @birdsmithjewellery.
Rachel was overjoyed to find the Atelier because it gave her a permanent retail and studio space to collaborate more easily, offer bespoke consultations and repairs, and create her unique pieces for people of all genders and identities. While the location isn’t ideal, being set back from the road, and she’s still working on getting the word out after 18 months—the experience so far has been incredibly rewarding. To ensure its long-term success, Rachel is now focusing on attracting more customers and building a sustainable business. To this end I asked her to feature in a Humans of Clevedon story.
Rachel grew up near the historic city of Lichfield, nestled in the heart of the Midlands. In 2007, a career opportunity brought her to Clevedon, and it didn’t take long for the town to capture her heart. Fast forward to today, and not only does she reside here, but her parents, brother, and his family have also been drawn to its undeniable charm.
Rachel’s love for Clevedon runs deep. The thought of living anywhere else seems unimaginable to her. The combination of invigorating swims and the warm embrace of the community keeps her firmly anchored here and are the threads that weave Rachel into the town’s fabric. She loves swimming in the water around the iconic pier and describes it as a very special experience. The camaraderie forged with fellow swimmers on the beach adds another richness to the experience.
Rachel loves the Clevedon sunsets that paint the sky with vibrant hues, casting a mesmerising glow over the sea. It’s easy to lose track of time, sitting on the shore, captivated by the ever-changing canvas of colours as day transitions into night. Photo credit: Lisa Clarke The Chocolate Tart
In essence, Clevedon has become more than just a place of residence for Rachel. She has found a sense of belonging where she can pursue her passions, connect with nature, and create lasting memories with loved ones. The combination of Clevedon’s natural beauty, the warmth of its people, and the opportunities for personal fulfilment make it a truly special place to call home.
While a career in the arts wasn’t the traditional path in Rachel’s family, many of her relatives expressed their creativity through painting, poetry, and other forms of artistic expression. She has particularly fond memories of her great aunt, a gifted seamstress who invariably brought out her sewing machine during family visits. It was a delightful tradition to leave her house with a handmade treasure, a tangible reminder of her love and skill. She especially cherishes the memory of her great aunt helping her craft a piece for her college interview.
From a young age, Rachel was drawn to the world of art and creation. Always a maker at heart, her childhood was filled with hands-on projects, whether baking a hugely ambitious cake, making contraptions such as go-karts or digging out a massive hole in the garden to make a Koi pond. This early exploration of creativity and problem-solving fostered a deep appreciation for the process of making, laying the foundation for Rachel’s eventual artistic pursuits.
The idea of pursuing a career in art first took root after Rachel’s GCSEs. She applied for a Graphic Design BTEC at Stafford College, but the interview took an unexpected turn. The interviewer stated that her drawing skills weren’t up to par, then suggested, “Why don’t you apply for fashion? None of that lot can draw either.”
Intrigued, and with a crash course in dressmaking from her great aunt under her belt, Rachel decided to give it a shot. It was a fortuitous decision, as she loved the course. She explored a wide range of modules, from knitting and pattern cutting to millinery, swimwear, and even lingerie design. The second year brought an exciting introduction to leatherwork, where she crafted handbags and shoes. She was completely captivated; the idea of combining fashion and tools was irresistible!
Following her lecturer’s advice, she applied for the only footwear degree available then and soon found herself immersed in a BA Hon’s degree in Footwear Design and Manufacturer at De Montfort University Leicester.
During her degree, Rachel tackled projects set by footwear companies and entered her work into competitions. In 1994, she won the Royal Society of Art Student Design Award. The process involved submitting her work to a panel and an interview in London for the shortlisted candidates. It was a nerve-wracking experience, facing a panel that included Paul Smith, Wayne Hemingway, Emma Hope, and other prominent footwear designers.
The bursary included a six-week work experience at Clarks Shoes in Street, Somerset. Her initial impression wasn’t favourable, but as the weeks progressed, she realised what an exceptional company it was. The learning opportunities surpassed those at other fashion brands, and she fell in love with Somerset. Rachel secured a position as a women’s junior designer and spent the next few years there, gaining invaluable knowledge and travelling the world on inspiration and development trips. She regularly visited European cities and even ventured to Brazil and Taiwan.
She then landed a job in London with Pentland Group, a company that owns footwear and sports licenses for major brands like Ted Baker, Lacoste, Speedo, and Ellesse. She worked for Ellesse for seven years, primarily designing men’s sneakers. Later, the company expanded into more technical products, and she headed up the technical shoe department. This ignited her passion for designing within technical constraints and adhering to specific rules. She even created shoes for former pro players like Pat Cash and Henri Leconte and had the opportunity to play doubles with them – an experience she’ll cherish. She laughed as she said her performance might be best left unmentioned!
Rachel’s time at Pentland was enjoyable, with travel to fairs and factories and inspiring trips to destinations like New York, LA, Korea, and Indonesia. Despite this, she yearned to return to Somerset. Fortunately, Ellesse restructured, and the design team was made redundant, paving the way for her return to the Southwest.`
Leveraging her connections at Clarks, Rachel quickly secured freelance work for their international arm. After a couple of years, she was hired full-time as a senior designer based in Street. She felt this was her true calling. With the support and freedom of her range manager, she developed highly successful shoes for Clarks. She specialised in new constructions and techniques, pushing the boundaries of footwear manufacturing and prioritising foot health and comfort. She remained there for about eighteen years until, following a period of ill health and a couple of operations, she was made redundant in December 2019. At that point, she was ready to move on from the world of shoes.
Rachel freelanced for a couple of years before deciding that shoe design was no longer her passion. The few freelance jobs she had dried up during the lockdown, as manufacturing and shipping from China became nearly impossible. This challenging period prompted her to re-evaluate her career path and explore new creative avenues.
At the beginning of 2020, a friend introduced her to handmade leather goods, and she joined her on a course run by esteemed leather crafter MacGregor & Michael in Tetbury. This experience not only expanded her knowledge but also solidified her passion for working with leather and creating beautiful, functional accessories. She has been making leather goods and honing her skills ever since.
I was interested in how Rachel would describe her style and how it evolved. She feels her style embodies honest luxury – a blend of refined simplicity, minimalism, and contemporary design. The concept of honest luxury resonates deeply today. Consumers are increasingly savvy to the stark contrast between designer price tags and actual production costs, and they’re seeking genuine value. Today’s conscious consumer values slow fashion, authenticity, and sustainability, and they expect these qualities rather than simply requesting them. Each of her pieces is handcrafted, a process that reflects both time and dedication. She sources premium vegetable-tanned leathers chosen for their enduring quality and eco-friendly production. While this represents a higher initial investment, the resulting pieces age gracefully, becoming even more beautiful with time.
Her tagline is: Keep-studio Leather goods Designed to KEEP- made to last
For Rachel, sustainability is key. She works exclusively with vegetable-tanned leather from the UK and Europe, a byproduct of the food industry that would otherwise go to waste. If you consume meat, using the hides for leather is a more sustainable choice. Unlike many faux and vegan leathers made from plastic-coated canvas, real leather is far more durable, long-lasting and environmentally friendly.
Rachel explained that vegetable tanning uses natural plant extracts, like bark. While it takes longer than the most popular chrome-tanned leather used on most high streets, it’s much better for the environment and produces a superior product. Vegetable-tanned leather actually improves with age, developing a unique patina that reflects its use and exposure. Each piece becomes like a fingerprint, telling its own story.
Rachel makes her products totally by hand. Each pattern piece is traced out using a paper pattern she has designed and pattern cut. All of the pieces are hand-cut and finished.
Hand-stitching is Rachel’s preferred method for all her products. This traditional technique, known as saddle stitching, is stronger and more durable than machine stitching. Even if a stitch fails, it won’t unravel, and repairs are simple. Saddle stitching takes months to master, and each bag requires hours or even days to complete as each stitch hole is made using an awl and two needles are passed through the hole, forming a stitch.
Currently, Rachel is expanding her bag collection with versatile new designs. She’s focusing on functionality, ensuring every carrying need is met. She aims to create bags that seamlessly adapt to your lifestyle, from day to night, work to weekend. With modular add-ons, she hopes to customise the bag to fit any purpose. Invest in one bag, and let it work as hard as you do.
Use it, love it, repair it, keep it.
Rachel’s website, keep-studio, offers a range of products with customisable leather and thread colours for a truly bespoke experience. She’s actively improving her marketing efforts to reach a wider clientele.
Rachel actively seeks inspiration from galleries and museums. A recent visit to the Guggenheim in Bilbao left her captivated by Richard Serra’s “Matter of Time” installation, an experience that engaged all her senses. She’s also fascinated by ergonomic design, exploring the interplay between the human form and the objects we use.
Rachel has a deep love for architecture and interior design, particularly drawn to the simplistic elegance of Scandinavian design. She also appreciates angular aesthetics and asymmetry, which often appear in her work.
Her Elton bag exemplifies this approach, designed to fit perfectly across the body. With easy one-handed access and a balanced structure that prevents it from tipping forward, it’s ideal for those walking dogs or navigating life with children and strollers.
I wondered about the challenges that Rachel had faced during her career, and she explained that her greatest challenges stemmed from within. Living with multiple sclerosis, fatigue is a constant battle. She described it as like enduring the flu for fifteen years straight. So, she’s always struggled to reconcile her ambition with her body’s limitations. While she’s dreamed of designing for major sports brands, the potential stress and toll on her health held her back. And the thought of relocating for a job, leaving the UK behind, just never felt right.
I asked Rachel about how she saw her work’s place in the contemporary art scene. While she employs traditional tools and techniques, she focuses on creating minimalist, high-quality pieces that embody what she has previously called an honest luxury aesthetic – where timeless craftsmanship meets modern design.
Rachel also emphasises the importance of transparency in pricing. She points out that a £50 bag cannot be made from quality materials by experienced workers earning a fair wage in a factory with overhead costs and then shipped halfway around the world with the typical retail markup. She highlights the prevalence of brands using child or forced labour and incorporating inferior or even hazardous components in their products.
In conclusion, Rachel’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience, adaptability, and the unwavering pursuit of one’s passions. From her early childhood days with her great aunt to her successful career in footwear design and her current venture into handcrafted leather goods, she has consistently embraced creativity and innovation. Her story serves as an inspiration to anyone navigating career transitions or seeking to align their work with their values.
If you find yourself in Clevedon, I encourage you to visit Atelier and experience Rachel and Kate’s artistry and craftsmanship. You’ll discover a treasure trove of unique, handcrafted items that reflect a passion for quality, sustainability, and the enduring beauty of handmade creations. And who knows, you might even find the perfect Christmas gift or a special treat for yourself!