Sophia & Matt at Spirit of Christmas 2012

More trawling through my photo archive from Spirit of Christmas 2012: I've found some pictures of bags made by Sophia &  Matt of Greenwich. Sophia and Matt design the fabrics and the styles of a range of handbags, coin purses, changing bags, make up and washbags, and tavel card holders. Patterns feautres spots, dots, stripes and florals in pvc coated cotton fabric.

Greenwich: Sophia & Matt

I went down to Greenwich today - my main purpose was to visit Sophia & Matt's shop (previously blogged about here) as they are just the sort of designer-maker company that I love - starting out by doing all the designing, cutting and sewing themselves and selling their wares in Greenwich Market. They now have a shop next to the Market decked out in beautiful wallpaper and vintage furniture, and they use a London factory to keep up with demand. They have an ever changing range of patterns, and and an ever growing range of bags and purses - if you're in the area, pop by for a visit, they have a lot more in store than available on-line,.

The shop!

the baby changing bag - which actually looks like it's useful for any bod who likes a large bag with a long strap and zip (although I'm willing to compromise, these are the two key features I look for as it's practical when I am out and about, on my bike etc) - even the baby's milk bottle shaped pockets at either end look like they could have another use (eg. bottle of evian etc).

large tote bag - really very tempted by this as it looks perfect for a picnic - in my fav pattern by Sophia & Matt

basket o' purses

love this pattern - how about mini dots in these colours, Sophia & Matt?! bring back some mini dots!

handbag in gingko floral

today: Mimi Berry, Sophia & Matt, Quadrille notebooks

Yellow satchel by Mimi Berry, pencil case by Sophia &  Matt, and Liberty print notebook from Quadrille (available via Amazon).

real buckles, not magnets, are the best

 Sophia and Matt pencil case in metallic leather

Quadrille  notebook with Liberty print

Sophia & Matt - make up bag

This was very handy for my summer holidays, made by the lovely Sophia & Matt of Greenwich, previously blogged about here - just the right size for the lotions and potions needed on a short trip.

Sophia & Matt of Greenwich

Sophia & Matt, I salute you.  Your company represents everything that I love about British designer-makers. Sophia and Matt, both with a training in design (she in fashion, he in graphics) make handbags and accessories out of laminated fabric featuring big abstract patterns of spots, stripes and florals.  They started out in 2005, selling at Greenwich Market - doing all the designing, cutting, sewing themselves.  Originally everything was sewn by Sophia, but now to keep up with demand most of their products are sewn in a London factory (they were, to quote, 'hell bent on keeping the majority of production in London'. I love this dedication!). Having traded from Greenwich Market for many years, they now also have a shop at 28 Greenwich Church Street, London SE10 - which I can't wait to visit.

Here's a selection of their products:
Washbag in Rainforest Green (I shall be placing my order for this one shortly)
20.5 x 12 cm, £12

Baby changing bag in Pink Polka Dot

42 x 30 x 18.5cm, £85

Handbag in 70s Floral Black

45 x 26 x 11cm, £47

ps - Sophia and Matt, if you're reading this: the large washbag (not yet available on the website) which I bought at the Spirit of Summer Show is fantastic.

Mrs Osborn goes on a spree: Spirit of Summer top picks

'Sophia & Matt' sell a range of handbags, purses, washbags and other accessories made out of laminated fabric.  It is the perfect place for a spree, Mrs Osborn style: Sophia and Matt design the fabric, design the bags and accessories, handcut the fabric, and sew some of their range in their Greenwich studio (I love the fact that the little embroidered tag on their products says 'Made in Greenwich').

I can't wait to visit their new shop at 28 Greenwich Church Street, London SE10 

If you like to dress your girls in Liberty print frocks, you'll love Millie Manu - the range includes dresses, tops and blouses, skirts and shorts and pyjamas for girls aged 18 months to 8 years. All garments are made in the UK, a fact of which they are rightly proud.

This isn't the most arty shot of Owen Barry's leather handbags, but they are arty objects - plush suede and soft leather, in a rainbow of colours.