Eduard Rosa

Button maker

©Martin Mjartan

The art of bespoke buttons

Eduard has his own patented button making techniques
He created bespoke buttons for world-famous department store Harrods
He supplies theatres, opera houses and fashion designers

Eduard Rosa started making fabric coated buttons in 1976 when the custom manufacture of such items was virtually non-existent in the then-Czechoslovakia. Thirty years later he came across a vintage cord braided soutache button and it was "love at first sight", he says. "I learned the secrets of the trade and thread-winding step by step, with no tutorials, no artisans to consult, no specialty material suppliers." Taking inspiration from historical costumes, he combined the traditions of the craft with modern materials and a variety of patterns. Now he supplies unique handmade soutache buttons to theatres, operas and fashion designers across Europe.

Interview

©Martin Mjartan

©Martin Mjartan

When did you create your first button?: My first ever button was made at my home while experimenting with different moulds and sizes. Later, I secretly started production in a small rented space and developed my own techniques, which are unique to button making even now.
What was your biggest contract?: We once crafted 35,000 buttons for tail-coats for the most famous department store in London – Harrods. It took us 17 days to complete, and fortunately, we were later awarded this contract several more times.
When did you make buttons for Queen Elizabeth II?: It was in 2016, when HM The Queen was celebrating her birthday. We decided to surprise her with a handmade collection of soutache buttons in different colours. She even sent a thank you note!
Where do you get your materials from?: Our threads and components came from different countries all over the world, for example the Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, Germany, Switzerland and even Thailand.

Eduard Rosa is an expert artisan: he began his career in 1976