Why was launching this company important to you?
Otis: I love to design and work with leather, so it might have started rather selfishly as a way to live that dream. As we have taken on new craftspeople, it’s become clear that it is really important to me that the company is a place where we can keep these heritage skills alive and thriving. In an era dominated by mass automation, synthetic components, and a culture of disposability, I want OTZI to offer objects with soul and permanence.
Isabelle: I’ve seen Otis develop as a designer and maker, and over the past decade of living together surrounded by his prototypes, I am convinced that these are pieces that everyone needs in their lives. I do this because I see the human effort, thoughtfulness, and time that is taken by everyone involved in the process of creating the pieces – from the many people involved in producing the materials to the craftspeople at the workshop – and I think that level of care and attention is rare and beautiful.
How does your company represent the future of British luxury?
Otis: British luxury is moving away from mindless consumption and shifting towards a deep desire for meaning, transparency, and connection. When someone buys an OTZI piece, they know exactly where it was made and they can see the history of the sustainably managed British woods and traditionally tanned leathers we use. The life within the pieces is palpable.
What’s an important value for you that you’ve ensured is part of your business?
Otis: Integrity in every decision. In the workshop, that means nothing is rushed and nothing is overlooked. We work efficiently but we don't take shortcuts.
Isabelle: That integrity extends directly to our relationships. Whether we are collaborating with a global luxury house like Chloé or working internally with our young apprentices, mutual respect and the value of human skill are at the forefront.
Tell me about an obstacle you’ve experienced in establishing your business, and how you overcame it?
Otis: The transition from being a solo maker to managing a growing, collaborative workshop was a massive learning curve. Scaling fine craftsmanship without diluting the quality or the soul of the product is incredibly difficult. We overcame this by enabling and trusting one another. By building a tight-knit team that shares our exacting standards, and by respecting one another's skills, expertise, and strengths, we’ve been able to increase our output and take on major international commissions without losing our artisanal DNA.
