Michelle Wong is the Founder of MW Makes, a leather goods brand that brings together her background in architecture with a love for traditional craftsmanship.
This year Michelle will be supporting World Leather Day, celebrating the traditional crafts & skills at micro tanneries in Italy and the UK.
“I design each piece with a focus on simple geometries, clean lines, and practical functionality. Using oak or vegetable tanned leather, every item is handmade by me from start to finish, using traditional saddlery techniques like saddle stitching and hand burnishing. The result is a collection of honest, durable goods made to be used, enjoyed, and built to last”.
Based in London, Michelle studied architecture in Manchester and Liverpool before returning to London to work in the field. She currently works as an architect during the week and spends some evenings and weekend time in her studio at Cockpit Arts.
“My training in architecture naturally feeds into my making; it’s shaped the way I think about form, structure, and detail, and those influences are woven through everything I create under MW Makes”.
Whilst working in architectural practice, Michelle found herself missing some of the hands-on processes she loved during her studies—like crafting detailed models or drawing by hand.
“I had a strong urge to create with my own hands again, which led me to explore different craft workshops. Leatherwork really resonated with me. It offered a way to explore design and craftsmanship at a much smaller, more tactile scale. I’ve really enjoyed seeing ideas come to life through this material, and that spark is what inspired me to start MW Makes”.
Michelle loves meeting many of her customers at craft markets and events, which she really enjoys “it’s such a great way to connect, have conversations, and get direct feedback from the people buying my products. I’m often told that my smaller leather goods make perfect gifts, especially for the “hard to buy for” men in people’s lives! While most of my customers are individuals, I also stock a selection of pieces in a few independent shops across the country, which has been a lovely way to reach new audiences”.
“My leather accessories range tends to be my best seller, especially because they can be personalised, making them perfect as gifts. Among those, my top-selling product is the Long Envelope. It’s a really versatile piece that can be used as a glasses case, a sunglasses case, or even a pencil case. It’s simple, functional design makes it a favourite for many!”
What does Michelle most love about leather? Her passion is based on the way leather changes and evolves over time.
“I’m really drawn to how each piece develops a unique patina, shaped by how it’s used and who it belongs to. It absorbs the oils from our hands, picks up subtle marks along the way, and slowly takes on a character of its own. There’s something really special about creating something that only gets better with age and becomes more personal the longer it’s used.”
Michelle recognises that challenges face the leather industry – many of which come from misconceptions about leather itself.
“One of the biggest is the lack of awareness that most leather is actually a by-product of the meat industry—something that often gets overlooked in wider conversations about sustainability. I believe better access to information and more transparency around sourcing and production would really help shift perspectives. When used thoughtfully and responsibly, leather can be a long-lasting, natural material that honours the resources we already have.”
For the year ahead, Michelle is planning a few exciting new directions – expanding her wholesale outreach to work with more independent shops and galleries, and also looking to offer more workshops—both in her Deptford studio and through partnerships with larger venues—so more people can experience leathercraft for themselves.
“Last year, I had the opportunity to train with José Luis Bazán in Spain, which was an incredible experience. Since then, I’ve been refining those skills behind the scenes and developing a new range that explores the intersection of leatherwork and interiors—something I’m really excited to share soon.”
And finally, Michelle draws inspiration from many other leatherworkers – particularly those who are pushing the boundaries of how leather is used.
“I’m lucky to be part of the incredible community at Cockpit Studios, where I’m surrounded by talented makers like Lucy Welton, Laura Amstein, Jessie White, Harry Owen, Joost Pasman, Yusuf Osman, Jasmine Carey, Maria Mclean and Jesse Noy. We all support one another, and I find their innovative approaches to leatherwork both inspiring and motivating.”
As part of Michelle’s support for World Leather Day, Michelle will be sharing stories across her Instagram feed – celebrating the craft and beauty in real leather making. She also wants to use the opportunity to challenge the term ‘vegan leather’.
“It’s often used to describe materials that aren’t actually leather, but many of these alternatives are made from oil-based materials like plastic. Consumers often assume “vegan leather” is a sustainable option without fully understanding what the material is or how it’s made”
