Bill Amberg on running a successful leather craft studio in the age of AI

With clients such as Paul Smith, The Savoy, and Vincent Van Duysen, it’s clear that Bill Amberg Studio is creating some of the most attractive and respected leatherwork today.

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing the studio’s founder, Bill Amberg, about how he first became interested in leather as a schoolboy in New Hampshire, and how he has gone on to grow a thriving craft business in London.

For me, the conversation was a real learning experience into the world of leather craft.

During our conversation, Bill surprised me several times:

• The inspiration for his iconic Rocket Bag came from vintage cars, motorcycles — and a comic he enjoyed reading.
• Leatherwork and vegetable tanning date back to a time long before humans even discovered how to make wine.
• While travelling in Australia and New Zealand as a young man, Bill was able to support himself through his leather craft skills.

Refreshing thoughts on skilled craft in the AI era

I guess I am not the only one who sometimes feels a bit fed up with the constant talk about how AI will change absolutely everything.

Well, yes, new technology will—and has—always changed how humans live our lives. Still, some parts of being human have not changed more or less at all since people started creating artefacts in leather many thousands of years ago. Bill Amberg explained why he thinks craft is not a dying industry; instead, he argues that finely made things, created carefully by human hands, will be more valued and important in the future. He spoke about the increasing need for reality.

Do you agree with him?