A few weeks ago, I headed to Bow in east London to check out the factory workshop behind one of my favourite British heritage handbag brands, Village England…

Launched by former LVMH exec Julia Dobson and House of Fraser accessories buyer Freddie Knevett, the brand is all about quality, functionality and classic designs. I’ve been a fan since their first collection, for exactly those reasons. Plus the thought and care that goes into each design, with carefully placed pockets for mobile phones and bits and bobs, positioned in accessible places.

The factory workshop (with amazing views of the City!) bustles with activity and is replete with all the tools of the trade – pliers, riveting machines and industrial sewers; many of the bags are made here in the UK and for overseas factories and suppliers of components, Julia and Eddie work hard to ensure their code of work ethics is adhered to (read more here).

Village England is stocked in Anthropologie and House of Fraser  – some of my fave styles including the Beamish (see a recent outfit post with this one here) and Newlyn are on sale right now! – and planning some more pop-ups after their Covent Garden stint in the summer… So feast your eyes on my behind the scenes photos which also include sneak peeks of the SS15 collection with new colours and fabrics – including a super-fun snake-print nubuck leather – enjoy!

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Julia Dobson (left) with fashion editor & blogger Erica Davies from MMM

One of my fave styles, the Beamish in black