Yorkshire Farmer Turned Fashionista
Holme Farmed Venison is on a mission. The North Yorkshire based company wants to reclaim leather clothing from its image as suitable only for bikers or the bordello.
Farming entrepreneur Nigel Sampson has seen sales of his lovingly-reared venison rise by 165% over the past two years – and with the softest of deerskin leather being a by product of the process, he wanted to make sure it was being made into something practical and beautiful.
As a result, the team has branched out with a funky new range of deerskin clothing and handbags, aimed at chic women who love the country.
Nigel explains: "The inspiration of the collection comes from my stylish and elegant wife who loves the country life, and my teenage daughters who have inherited a love of the outdoor life, but prefer a trendier look—more along the lines of the Zara Philips and Kate Middleton's of this world."
"The new collection is exciting for us. We've been making deerskin items such as shooting accessories for a while now, but our bags and clothes are very different. The above-the-knee straight skirt is definitely not for the headscarf and pearls set!"
So if you prefer to spend your nights stumbling out of Boujis nightclub with the young royals and your days tramping around the countryside, these clothes are definitely for you.
Although leather in fashion had for some time been consigned to a ghetto of jackets and distinctly dodgy black 'Tom Jones' trousers, the trend towards sensuality and luxury has sent designers scuttling back to skin and using it in much more imaginative ways.
"We make no pretence of being at the cutting edge of fashion," explains Nigel, "but the resurgence of leather has meant people have rediscovered its merits. It's soft, warm, breathable and incredibly hard-wearing. You'll be wearing our clothes for a lifetime, which is a rarity in today's disposable culture. We're also proud to be making our clothes here in the UK – not something even the trendiest of clothing retailers can claim nowadays."
"We were conscious that these beautiful skins were being discarded and wanted to find a market for them. Our deer are reared naturally, grazing on grass pastures. We choose the best skins for our clothing and accessories, giving us a ready supply of deerskin that would otherwise just go to waste."
The new collection came after the man who made Holme Farmed Venison's deerskin accessories retired. Nigel took over the company himself and set to work commissioning "younger" line.
As well as the above-the-knee straight skirt, one of the big hits of the new collection looks likely to be an elegant, flared calf-length skirt, perfect for strolling around country lanes.
Or perhaps a pair of made to measure breeks might be just the ticket. These slim-legged trousers end just below the knee and are much-beloved of serious walkers and shooting aficionados. Simply send in your measurements and you'll receive a perfectly-fitting pair that will last you a lifetime.
The fashion for big handbags continues and the deerskin collection has three to delight – depending on how big you dare to wear. One is capacious enough to use as an overnight bag and another perfect for the yummy mummy on the move with baby. These are versatile, hard-wearing and well-designed bags – and unlike the latest 'it' bags, they'll still be chic next season.
The entire collection will be launched at the CLA Game Fair at Harewood House (Friday 27 July to Sunday 29 July) and will subsequently be available by mail order from www.holmefarmedvenison.co.uk.
