8th July 2016

Interview: Rosie and Ben Broad, Tinct

Earlier this week, we showcased a few of the eye-catching designs from Tinct, the new leather brand making waves in the fashion/craft/design world. To find out a little more about how a visual merchandiser with itchy scissor fingers and a seasoned ad man with a gift for brand-building go about launching a business, we cornered Tinct founders Rosie and Ben Broad for the lowdown on leather craft…

How did Tinct get started?

Rosie: From slightly curious beginning. One year I was absolutely stumped on what to give a friend for her birthday. She loves cats and dressing up - so naturally I made her a leather cat mask. I loved the process of designing, and with a new found love of working with leather I continued my craft in to making ever-more intricate leather cat faces.

At this stage I was working as part of the visual merchandising team at Jigsaw. One day whilst rummaging in the prop warehouse I uncovered some beautiful dead stock leather. I enquired about it, and was told to fill my boots so I backed up my car and literally filled my boot. My manager at the time saw that I was making these animal masks and asked me to design some for our Christmas window. It was a big success, with people enquiring about buying the masks and so I thought, “Right! This is it! I quit!”. Off I went to the countryside, got a puppy and began making masks...The challenge I faced however was that no one actually bought them. I needed to re invent my slightly whimsical idea into something a little more tangible. A friend suggested leather goods and it all went from there.

I started sampling in Portugal, but when that relationship broke down and I brought production to England, which is where we should have started anyway as it feels so fitting manufacturing here. I went through the Prince’s Trust Exploring Enterprise course which was enlightening in that it made me realise that I really enjoyed the business aspect of business - something I had always been incredibly daunted by. I didn’t think I could be creative and business minded at the same time. About a year in Ben started showing an interest in Tinct and so we made it an official partnership pretty soon after. I reckon it could be one of the best decisions I’ve made so far!

What are your long-term aims for the brand?

Rosie & Ben: As it stands Tinct is a British Made leather goods brand, but we hope it to be much more than that in the future. Creating quality, desirable products is at the heart of what we do, but our aspirations are far further reaching. We’ve discussed introducing charitable aspects to the business when it’s more established, opening a workshop, and creating an apprenticeship scheme. We want to support young people, and sustainable means of production. It’s all a little down the line for the time being, but it’s exciting thinking about what it could become in the future. In the shorter-term we’ve been having a few interesting conversations regarding cool upcoming collaborations, quite design focused rather than fashion centric which is so exciting.

What do your respective professional backgrounds bring to Tinct?

Ben: I spent a number of years working in a London advertising agency, in various roles from production to account management. The advertising industry provides a fantastic springboard for people looking to start something of their own (in whatever field), as it arms one with the broad understanding of what it takes to build a brand, and make a business work.

How did you develop your knowledge of British leathercraft?

Rosie: Research and the desire for knowledge! I won’t ever pretend I’m the most clued up being when it comes to leather craft but I don’t think you ever know how much you absorb until someone starts asking you about it. I didn’t study design or leather craft so it’s been an organic progression for me. Talking to people, visiting places, touching stuff and having a go.

How would you describe your design approach?

Rosie: Ongoing. I’m constantly designing and re designing everything. I think I have redesigned my dream house in my head about 3 times, as well as developed our barns, built a glass lodge, and then turned it all into a hotel. Next is a campervan…

There’s not a period when I sit down and say “OK, today until Friday I have to design and, that’s it”. It would just become a formidable task, sometimes things just come to you at the most random times, and if you can get it down then you can go back to it and develop the idea.

How do you decide which designs to take forward into production?

Rosie & Ben: It’s predominantly timings based. We have designs back-logged because it’s not the right time. It’s also a cash flow thing. We simply can’t afford to put everything through, so we have to look at items with a critical eye and ask ourselves various questions. We also speak to people. People are the biggest asset in deciding what to design next.

What other brands do you admire?

Rosie & Ben: Loewe for the puzzle bag. Phoebe English for the attention to construction. Issey Miyake because I love the pleats! Marni for the colour…Also Bill Amberg because he just seems to know everything there is to know about leather, and Private White V.C who’s clothing is all made, and predominantly woven in Manchester.

The brand’s video is very distinctive – who/where did the creative inspiration come from?

Ben: An old friend of mine Jack Driscoll, directed and produced the film, and it was ultimately Jack’s incredible creative vision which led us to where we got to. We all had ideas in mind as to what we wanted to the film to be, but we shared the notion of wanting to draw on the playful, honest, and handmade values of the brand and to showcase the collection in an interesting way. Combining this with our use of vegetable-tanned leather and interesting colour combinations gave us an interesting start point, and the idea evolved from there.

Your factory is in Somerset – how did you choose it and why?

Rosie & Ben: We knew we wanted to manufacture in the UK, so it was a case of finding someone who would take a risk on a tiny brand. We found a factory, who’s heritage was actually in leather tanning, who were expanding their manufacturing arm and it went from there. There have been peaks and troughs but there always is going to be when you’re manufacturing! We never underestimate how hard it must be running an operation like that.

Sabine says you’re moving the business to East London – what are the benefits of doing that?Rosie & Ben: Geography certainly plays a role! It should also streamline the whole operation, and it also just feels more “us”. We have recently taken on a small space in London and spend half our time working from there so it will be far easier to work alongside our factory. We also really like the people we are working with there. They understand the feel of the brand, and are enthusiastic about us, which is an absolute bonus.

I understand you’re making a motorbike-helmet bag – what has inspired that?

Rosie: People! We have a few friends who ride bikes and race cars and just through conversations with them it evolved. A bit of market research and drawing and tadahh it was there and actually, there really is nothing decent to house these beautiful helmets, which are expensive pieces of kit, especially if your going for custom paint job.

Are you planning on introducing any other new products?

Rosie & Ben: We are, and you can come and see them in our pop up shop in September.

Tell us more about your pop up in Chelsea- why there?

Rosie & Ben: We had visited a couple of spaces prior to deciding on the Chelsea space, and there were multiple reasons why we decided to go with it. We stepped in the shop and really felt like we could create an exciting space to invite people into our world. It’s as much about creating an inviting and engaging space as it is properly showcasing our products for the first time.

Will you be doing anything special for the event?

Rosie & Ben: We’ll be having a little party on our opening night (Thursday 1st of September) at which we’ll have The Prosecco Van parked up outside. We’ll be offering 10% off any sales that night as well as having a prize draw. Throughout the pop up we will also be offering free while you wait personalisation on any purchase.

What’s the best thing about working with your sibling?

Rosie: He’s my bro! There isn’t anyone I trust or respect more than Ben, and when it boils down to it he is one of my best friends too so we can have a fun time as well as work hard.

Ben: We have an inherent trust & inherent respect for each other, and despite being the older brother I’m endlessly impressed with my little sister. We also enjoy a lot of the same things, don’t take life too seriously, and share a stupid sense of humour which means plenty of laughter

.… and what’s the worst?

Rosie & Ben: It’s all good so far.