TAKING IT SLOW: Ash from The Lair on designing for the long haul.

Conscious design isn’t just a fad to Ash from The Lair who takes the philosophy beyond her design ethic and into the way she finds balance between work and her personal life.


Ash sat down with us this week to talk about being in business for over 10 years and finding inspiration in a slower approach to life and design.

Hello, Ash can you tell us where you’re speaking to us from today?
I am in the sun-filled Lair Studio today, where I create from most days.

It's been a little while now - so tell us about how things have changed since moving into the new space -
Since moving into the new space, the main change has been quality of life, and the perspective of work and home balance. The space was created to feel like a home (The Lair Store) and a home studio or workshop (The Lair Studio), and this aspiration is very much in effect these days. The main change I think for our entire team is approaching our work and one another with the care, delicacy and love you would to a much loved book and a much loved friend :)

Leather as a material and leather goods have been a staple for humans for thousands of years - what's your vision for the future of leather?
My vision surrounding this has always been quite simple. As conscious consumers, I think if we buy less, and invest in quality pieces, we can really slow down the cycle of fashion drastically. Every piece we make, we design and prototype in a way to ensure it will stand the test of time. With any luck, with a little leather conditioner or with minor repairs our belts could last an entire lifetime, and our bags could last over twenty years or beyond.. We always offer free repairs, resizing on belts if necessary and advice on how to look after your leathers. By buying less new pieces each year, and looking after the ones we have, we can hugely alter our personal impact on the fashion industry.

What is your favourite piece to work on?
I truly love almost every aspect of design, but I think making wallets is underrated. It's the challenge of making the most functional and useful piece you can in the smallest possible pattern set that gets me excited! Distilling usefulness down to its most potent form.

Who are some local makers or designers we should look out for?
In the store, we represent a number of incredible local makers. To list a few, Yuni and Bruvel in the garment department, respectively, an incredible collection of timeless silks, and incredible tailored shorts and trousers made from European remnant fabrics. Also LAB 935 and Curtis 925 in our jewellery department, and BRB Ceramics, Sattvic Oil and Valenteen Flora within our Ritual offering. The local offering is stong at The Lair!

How do you balance your day and how have you seen this change over the 10+ years you've been operating?
I honestly think it has taken me a solid ten years to find the right balance! I have strong limits on work hours for myself these days (I used to stay in the store sewing until 10pm some nights!). Also I try to keep quite a determined balance between working on the computer (as little as possible) and sampling new products (as much as possible). Having a powerful, talented team has most certainly enabled this balance.

What is your favourite spot in Newcastle to :
- Relax and unwind I like to go to yoga, surf, or in my studio working on a new project
-Spend time with friends Ideally I'd hit the tennis court for a few hours with some friends, then have a beer at the Grand.
- Have a delicious meal I love to cook, otherwise I would go out. So many great places for a good meal - Estabar for brekky, Flotilla for a weekend lunch, or Lightyears for dinner.

Rapid Fire Questions:

Favourite way to move your body is… Ashtanga

Best song to work out to is…Anything Godtet

Best song to dance to is… Anything Kyle, Mariah, Jlo

First thing you do when you wake up…Wash my face and make my bed

Last thing you do before you go to sleep… I religiously read my book before bed and cuddle my dog Herb

Place you’d like to be… Paris would be lovely

Your favourite piece in The Lair currently…It's under construction currently, a leather jacket that is coming oh so soon..