April mai

Biography:
April Mai is a Leather Artisan, based in Hackney, London

April is the founder and creator of the Backward Vendor. The Backward Vendor is a homage to the art of craft. Combining traditional techniques with creative innovation, using natural raw materials dedicated to the creation of unique designs, designs each with their own independent voices.

April’s design concept is firmly rooted in her surroundings; people, our lives, nature and the environment, inspired by the timelessness and the quality of craft and handmade design. April’s concepts have been realised through the Backward Vendor, creating a showroom and leather workshop space. Here, her current works are displayed and weekly leather craft workshops are run. These workshops are created with the purpose of guiding, informing and introducing a wider audience, to the art of Hand- made, the unique qualities of leather, the traditional techniques and processes involved in the creation of leather goods, skills that have been disregarded for the “convenience” of mass production.
April’s focus is on handcrafting everyday leather goods using vegetable tan leather. In addition to leather Accessories, April has been focusing and expanding her homeware collection. Combining vegetable tan leather with metal to create ceiling lights, lamps, lampshades, vases, decorative bowl, flowers, collages and upholstered chairs. All items are individually handmade, some goods are produced in a small batch while others may be made in slightly larger quantities. There is no uniformity to the Backward Vendor, goods may be made only once or twice, this is all dependent on the spirit and the direction of the time, and material sourcing.

Education
2017 - 2018
MA Footwear, First Class Honours, London College of Fashion Traditional footwear & Craft
Technologies & materials of the future
2013 - 2017
BA Fashion Accessories. First Class Honours, London College of Fashion Product Technologies
Product Creativity and Communication
Research Methods for Product Development
Awards & Accomplishments
2017
Winner of the ‘Cordwainers Dato’ Jimmy Choo Awards. Accessories 2017 Nominated for the Curriers Cup for Excellence in Leather
2015
Winner of Leather Sellers. Emerging Talent Award 2015
2014
One of 5 Top bags as part of the Sustainable Hope campaign selected by The Ethical Fashion Initiative. International Trade Centre 2014