Liz Cox - Luxury Handbags Made in Somerset

I went to Somerset to visit handbag designer Liz Cox. We'd worked together before and I have several Liz Cox bags but I never really knew how a luxury handbag was made. Liz has been making handbags and designing leather goods for over 30 years. Although she has her own Liz Cox label, her factory has also produced bags for luxury labels including Mulberry (they produced the Bayswater bag) and Dunhill. She recently launched a Liz Cox - Barbara Hulanicki collaboration during Bath in Fashion.I didn't really know how many people were involved in making a handbag - but there are quite a few - from the person buying the leather to the inker. Many of the employees have been here for over 20 years and they really know what they're doing. Each person has special and specific skills but often one person will sew the whole bag and there is a certain pride in making something from start to finish. I've always appreciated the work that goes into making a handbag but now I have a better understanding of how a luxury bag is made and why it really is a luxury item: it's the craftsmanship. I'm quite hard on my hand bags, even if I try not to be,  and often the handle wears down but I've had a Liz Cox Lansdown bag for almost a year and it still looks like new!Liz Cox has a destination shop in Bath. At the shop you can choose any bag and create a custom made bag tailored to your choice of leathers, fastener options and strap and handle lengths to suit you.