London College of Fashion Tutor, leather expert and founder of a bespoke bag making service - Georgie Tym teaches our popular bag making short courses.
We caught up with her to talk about her career to date...
Can you tell us a bit about yourself, what you do and how you got here?
I have been a bag enthusiast for almost 10 years, I work as a bag maker, designer and tutor and work with mostly leather but also with tech fabrics and leather alternatives!
I began making things from an early age and my passion built through school. I knew I wanted to run a bespoke making business and after initially thinking formal wear I went to LCF to study Bags and Accessories Design and Technology. After this I worked in a variety of different roles started designing at Alfred Dunhill, freelancing at small start-ups where I got a taste for my own business again, working at a tannery, a factory and also for Hunter wellington boots working on Design Development of a new bag line. I have made bags for brands worldwide, Nike, Jaguar, M&S, Cherchbi, also for artists and many start-up brands. In 2015 I started my bespoke bag business in Oxfordshire and started teaching at LCF in 2014.
What inspired you to start teaching?
I wanted to share the joy of making something from scratch and the magic in building a functional 3D object - turned bags have true magic to them as you don't see the final outcome right until the final moment when you turn it. The more I teach the more I love it, so much fun making designs come to life
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
A highlight is hard to pinpoint as I really love my career path, it is so varied working for big companies to small, luxury to traditional craft and high street.
I have met amazing people and been featured in magazines along the way making my own bespoke bags for individuals and working on exciting projects for new and existing businesses. I don't want to be cheesy but the invitation to teach short courses at LCF was a highlight in my career as I was returning home to where I started out and it is so much fun designing and running courses with them.
How do you balance having a business and teaching at the same time?
I plan big projects around my teaching time to allow space for thinking and concentrating on my students. Being organised helps, I can't live without my leather-bound diary!
Where in London do you go for inspiration?
I love the Barbican especially the tropical conservatory but also the great variety of exhibitions they offer.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Glue and remember IT IS ONLY A BAG (helpful when working on stressful projects)
What do you enjoy most about teaching short courses?
I enjoy how varied the groups of students will be. They travel from all around the world but also in their backgrounds and ambitions.
What can students expect from your course?
A fun week learning theoretical and practical skills suitable for anyone hobbyist to aspiring bag makers and entrepreneurs.
Students will take away a solid understanding of bag making, practical design methods and leather crafting. From constructions, seams and pattern making to using industrial machinery and making professional bags.
Instagram: @handsoftym
Georgie's bag making courses, run at various times throughout the year and vary in intensity. More information can be found below.
