Four decades of innovation
From selft-taught leather crafting in Sydney to international recognition, explore the journey of Steven Harkin. Discover an unmistakable heritage of independent craftsmanship, architectural silhouettes, and enduring semi-luxury design.
Artisanal precision and distinctive design
Sydney
Steven Harkin began in the late 1970s and 1980s within the crafts movement, creating one-off, innovative leather objects represented in public and private collections internationally.
During the 80’s he moved into the area of fashion, creating a range of high fashion leather hats and an award winning range of leather clothes, using innovative techniques and approach to design.
Canberra
In the 1990s, my work evolved into extensive experimentation with materials and processes, creating bags, attaché cases and other products from unconventional materials including aluminium, rubber, wood fibre, Formica, metal mesh, PVC, polypropylene and acrylics.
In 1999, this innovative approach was recognised with an Australian Arts Award, enabling me to study patternmaking at the prestigious Arsutoria in Milan. This experience strengthened my technical understanding of construction and patternmaking, skills that would become an important foundation for my later handbag designs.
Global acclaim and cultural recognition
Italy
In 2000, I moved to Turin and Milan, where I developed my brand profile, expanded my design and technical skills, and developed a product range for selected retailers. My time in Italy was an important stage in the evolution of my practice, bringing together my experimental approach to materials with a growing focus on commercially viable handbag design.
London
In 2003, alongside my professional design practice, I joined London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London, where I have worked as a senior lecturer and research academic. My research has explored innovative materials, processes and emerging technologies for the fashion industry.
Alongside academia, I have continued to maintain my professional design practice, combining research, experimentation and craftsmanship to develop distinctive products for both commercial production and exhibition.
Launched at Pure London in 2006, Steven Harkin quickly established an international presence, exhibiting at major trade shows in Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Paris and Milan.
The brand went on to build a network of 50+ UK retailers, alongside selected retailers across Italy, Scandinavia, Belgium, Germany and the United States.
Following the 2008 financial crisis, the business adapted its model, developing direct-to-consumer sales alongside its wholesale network. An online presence was established, with sales initially through Amazon and a London retail shop, followed by Etsy and the brand's own online store.
This period demonstrated the brand's ability to evolve from an independent wholesale accessories label into a multi-channel business with both international wholesale and direct-to-consumer experience.
A turnkey heritage ready for modern revival
Moving beyond conventional retail, Steven Harkin is offering this complete design legacy to an established accessories or fashion partner. With 40 to 50 master patterns and approximately 20 precision production blades meticulously preserved, the archive represents a rare commercial asset. It provides immediate production readiness and an authentic design identity tailored for today’s competitive semi-luxury market.