Leather's natural beauty in 3D
- Bernice hand dyes exotic leathers to craft handbags
- The 3D structure in her bags is achieved through box stitching
- She was a finalist twice at the Independent Handbag Designer Awards in New York
Born and raised in South Africa, Bernice Angelique draws on her homeland as the foundation of her creative vision and bag making. "Wildlife and exotic leathers were a constant presence in my life, long before they became my medium," she says. The London College of Fashion introduced Bernice to handbag design and making, and she developed her skills through independent practice and relentless experimentation. Today, she sews and dyes every skin and bag by hand, and applies the box stitch and dyeing techniques needed for the irregular surfaces of exotic hides. "As I relocate my atelier to Europe, I unite my dedication to precise handcraft with the values of my South African upbringing," Bernice says. Through her works, she translates her respect for natural materials into handbags that endure and hold sculptural presence.
Interview
- How do you source your leather?
- I exclusively work with skins strictly regulated under CITES. This ensures that the animals are legally farmed, which results in eco-friendly, fully traceable products.
- Is there a technique you consider your signature?
- My box bags are defined by the techniques I use to create them. The box stitch lets me turn 2D panels into 3D forms with perfect right angles. I first fell in love with it while crafting a custom piece for a client. It has been central to my design ever since.
- What are the main challenges in dyeing exotic leathers?
- Exotic leathers are naturally diverse in thickness, density and texture, even within one skin. The dye behaves differently in each section. The goal is to highlight and respect the leather’s natural beauty while creating a uniform, consistent colour. This takes time, experience and precise handwork.
- What is a memorable moment from your career?
- For two consecutive years, I was a finalist at the Independent Handbag Designer Awards in New York, which I consider to be thrilling milestones. Seeing Dita Von Teese wear my handbags is another highlight. She embodies a whimsical yet elegant style of the past that continues to inspire my work.
Bernice Angelique is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2011
Where
Bernice Angelique
