Getting personal with Joanna Parkin

When we love something, we put our heart and souls into it. With her passion for sewing and creating handmade gifts, Joanna Parkin launched her self-entitled brand in late 2010.

Her gifts are personalised due to the fact that she handpicks the finest fabrics to create these handmade designs. She loves working with leathers as they improve with age and are durable, which ensures that the ranges of designs are of the highest quality. Joanna wants nothing but the best for her customers.

With her combination of leather and silk, she has created unique yet durable accessories such as make-up bags, clutches, cufflinks and iPhone covers to name a few.

The Liberty Print and Peacock Mirrors cost only £5. Personalised with either an initial or a message, the price varies between £6.75 and £8.50; they make for a great gift for someone in need of a nifty compact mirror.

Joanna also has products available for men, such as the union jack cufflinks in a subtle shade of grey, an ideal present for the doting man in your life. The cufflinks are set in silver and available for £25.

Now, perhaps you want a gift for yourself? Joanna has various make-up bags all hand-embroidered with a leather base for sturdiness. Take the Lisa butterfly make-up bag. The fine detail and the colour combination make it a must have.

Still looking for another gift? Try the iPhone case textured heavily with gold accents; at the price of £18 it is a steal!

Joanna’s design philosophy is to “hand-make every item, using the finest fabrics and the best leathers to create affordable, beautiful products.” Her ambition is simple: to become a household name.

Our absolute favourite has to be this clutch; it would be impossible to find such an intricately detailed item on the high street. This handmade micro-sequin clutch bag is lined with a dusky purple silk dupion. The salt and pepper micro sequins are mounted on a silk Georgette base so the quality is second to none.

With new ideas on the horizon, the Joanna Parkin range will surely develop. As Joanna is very committed to expanding her business, she keeps herself open-minded to suggestions that her clients may have. Take a look at her products here.

Pooja Sahny
Photos: Courtesy of Joanna Parkin