11 July 2008

Vintage Leather Belts - Take a look at our new range from Le

We've had the privilege of signing up an exciting new brand at equip. They are Leather Island. Although you may not have heard of them, they are such a great brand with a genuine story, that you've just gotta find out about it.

Celebs from Madonna to Brad Pitt

Bill Lavin is the man behind Leather Island. He has worked with some very high profile brands including Ralph Lauren, designing accessories for them. And in his spare time Bill would scour flea markets for old belts from the 30's, 40's and 50's which he would collect, adapt and sell. He created such a buzz with his designs that he had celebs from Madonna to Brad Pitt calling him, wanting to get their hands on a one-off Bill Lavin accessory.

Coolest vintage feeling and looking jean belts

He sold some of his pieces into Fred Segal, the infamous LA fashion store, but eventually after accepting the huge interest, he started the Leather Island brand proper. Bill puts it best, "Leather Island was simple from the start.  Design the coolest vintage feeling and looking jean belts where each belt design would bring all the needed attention to those hundred dollar premium denim collections… Any way you look at it, premium denim is still a five pocket western jean, just huge price differentials..!!  But put a kickin ass belt with it and all eye’s are on you now..!!! I wanted this collection to be fun, reasonably priced, and very collectable..!!"

New exciting colors, new treatments, new buckle designs

He continues "Instead of springing hundreds of dollars for one cool belt, I wanted customers to discover reasonably priced cool belts and maybe buy another new cool one every week… new exciting colors, new treatments, new buckle designs, and then passing them down to their grandchildren for the next hip generation…!!"

Individually designed with meticulous care and thought

Every belt has a hand made pewter buckle made right here in England, and the leather has this crackled effect, individually designed with meticulous care and thought, and often with added studs, nailheads, embroidered patches and other unusual details. He uses influences from Music, Art and Social Issues to create those designs and it's this attention to detail which has made the belts such a success.

Click on the Link below to see the Leather Island range:

http://www.equip.co.uk/brand/Leather-Island/b769.aspx

 Vintage Leather Belts from Leather Island