Jakub Wilczewski

Leather with a twist

• Jakub is a self taught leatherworker
• He creates wallets with GPS trackers inside
• He believes a good pattern is key to leather working

Working with leather scraps from a furniture factory in the first year of Jakub Wilczewski's design studies was just one of many experiments he did at the School of Form in Poznań. Leather turned out to be the most interesting and suprising material. After graduation, he quit his full time career in an advertising agency and set up his own workshop Wilkami. With four years of experience in leather working, he sells luxury bespoke pieces to clients all over the world, and trains apprentices. Recently, he opened an online shop with his patterns. “If you slow down, you become discouraged, but if you keep moving forward with knowledge and skills, it's exciting,” says Jakub.

Interview

© Jakub Wilczewski

© Jakub Wilczewski

How did you decide to become a craftsman?

When I applied to school, I didn't want to pursue crafts, only photography and computer graphics. Everything changed when I started making leather bracelets from the scraps. They were quite complicated: woven, or sewn half by machine, half by hand.

Was it difficult to open your own workshop?

The first products that allowed me to open a studio were leather wallets. Classic, simple with great attention to detail. The US customers loved them, they appreciate genuine craft. I also collaborate with companies who order products designed especially for them.

How is your craft innovative?

In my studio we make leather products that have electronics inside, sewn inside or glued. For example, we make wallets that have GPS or Bluetooth modules stuck in them. You can't see or feel them in way. The GPS module helps track the wallet, if it gets lost.

What gives you a sense of achievement?

A year ago, I decided to expand and include a section where I sell patterns. I love it, because I do something new every time. People have expressed satisfaction with these patterns, that motivates me. And it has become more profitable than working on products.

Jakub Wilczewski is an : he began his career in

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