Mary Wing To

Leatherworker

Reviving traditional leather craftsmanship

Mary has a deep passion for leather
She was the protégé of Queen Elizabeth II's master saddler
She is an expert in whip making, an endangered craft in the UK

A potent mix of drama, fashion and art, combined with a love of all things equine, is encapsulated by the work of Mary Wing To. Her creations offer a modern twist on the evolution and fine tradition of leather craftsmanship. After gaining a master's at the London College of Fashion, she became an apprentice at the Royal Mews under the discerning eye of Her Majesty The Queen’s master saddler and master harness maker at Buckingham Palace. Today, Mary is dedicated to reviving traditional leather craftsmanship and creates luxury bespoke leather pieces for clients all over the world, from royalty to Olympic equestrians to film studios. She has won many national and international accolades for her workmanship.

Interview

©Julian Calder

Do you remember the first piece you made?: Yes, it was called The Warrior. It was a sculptured leather piece on the body which used linen thread to create the silhouette. It was inspired by the techniques of hand stitching saddles. I wanted to show how traditional leather skills could be used to make modern fashion.
How did you train to become a whip maker?: I always wanted to work in the creative field but my instinct drew me to leather, so when I gained a QEST scholarship to further my leather skills, I took the opportunity to become a whip maker. However, I don’t think I’ll ever stop learning.
When did you set up your own studio?: In 2011. Prior to that, I was always working in any space I had: the bedroom floor, the corner of the kitchen, the living room. Having a real space to call a studio gave me such a sense of achievement and it’s what I’d dreamt of for years.
What do most people not know about your work?: I design and make all the pieces myself. Inside every whip handle I make, I roll part of a newspaper (The Times) with the date of when the whip was created, so in the distant future, if someone wanted to know the age of the whip, they could find out; it’s part of the tradition.

Mary Wing To is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2009