What really goes on behind the scenes? Industry experts share their knowledge

Alison Lloyd founded the Ally Capellino brand in 1980 and for more than 30 years, she has been producing stylishly restrained bags and accessories using durable leather and British wax cotton at her Shoreditch studio. 

It very much feels like the backpack is in again this summer, doesn’t it?
I don’t think it went away, I’ve been wearing mine for years, but it’s back even more this summer. We have been selling more and more and increasing the numbers that we make.

Why do you think it’s prevalent this year?
From a local point of view, the increase of cycling is an obvious reason but there must be a fashion influence in there too. People don’t just buy things for sensible reasons. 

You design a line of ‘bags for bikes’ – what makes them different?
They’re waterproof, they’ve got reflective stripes, you can put laptops in them – and they don’t look too bad either.

Does a well-made leather bag ever go out of fashion?
A well-made bag in a loud colour or with certain hardware could go out of fashion, even if it is nice leather. The more classic it is, the safer, obviously: if you’ve got fringes on it, it could be in one season and out the next. That’s why we stick to more subtle designs.

What influences you when you’re designing?
Anything! I don’t go somewhere to look for influence. It might be something that I see on somebody else. It might be a colour. It might be the floor, a chair. It’s about absorption, soaking it up.