Meet the designers: handbag queens Angel Jackson

Ethical handbag range Angel Jackson is loved by celebrities (Alexa Chung carries their Jai satchel), has featured in Vogue, Elle and InStyle, and is stocked in some of the most fashion-forward stores in the world, including Urban Outfitters and Harrods.  Carli Humphries meets Katie Smith, one half of the design duo and sisters behind the hottest handbag range on the block.

How did Angel Jackson happen?
Katie: Millie and I wanted to create an international fashion label that produced hand-crafted products in ethical working conditions, whilst being recognised for well-designed, stylish and glamorous products. We were adamant that it was possible to produce beautifully made products and pay the people that made them well for the highly-skilled work that they do. Angel Jackson is recognized as a successful fashion label first and foremost, but we have managed to do that whilst at the same time giving something back to the people we work with.

What sort of woman would carry an Angel Jackson bag?
Katie: We design bags that we want to use ourselves that are both feminine and quirky whilst being great quality and not too expensive.  We’re sick of the generic, poor quality that is the high street and wanted to design and produce collections that were both different and also benefited the lives of the people who made them. Women who carry Angel Jackson bags are stylish, and confident and care about the people that have made the bag that they are holding. They can feel proud to own one.

Describe the ethical concept behind your brand.
Katie: It is so important to us that the people we work with are rewarded for their hard work. Our workshops in Bali are fair trade and air-conditioned.

We make sure everyone who works with us gets paid really well and we appreciate all the time and dedication they put into making the products. We have brilliant relationships with them all and always have an amazing time when we go over (we were there for seven weeks this summer with our kids which was amazing!) We recycle where possible at the workshops, even down to the biker bags, as some are made from vintage biker jackets.

English lessons are being provided, which we hope will open other paths for them and generally give them a better scope in life. Angel Jackson proudly sponsors children in Calcutta; their school fees are paid for so they can be educated out of poverty and consequently given more opportunities in life. Healthcare costs are also covered by Angel Jackson.

Plus, all of our snakeskin, where we use it, is a bi-product of the food industry.

Any other ethical brands that you admire for combining ethics with fashionable designs, as you do?
Katie: Beyond Skin create the most beautiful non-leather hand painted shoes and we also love Zoe and Morgan jewellery who show at london fashion Week and also produce in fair trade workshops in Bali.

Tell us about the name ‘Angel Jackson’ – I’ve had many people wanting to know who or what it is named after!
Katie: Angel and Jackson were the names we were going to call our children. We loved the names and decided to put them together when we launched the label.

So, tell us about you two. Who are you Angel Jackson?
Katie: Millie and I are sisters and best friends. We design the collection in our Bristol studio. After designing, the next step is making prototypes of the new designs in Bali with our fantastic team of sample makers. We spend ages working through design and technical problems with them, often with a bottle of Bintang – the local lager!

What’s the future of Angel Jackson as an ethical designer brand?
Katie: We are going to continue to give our full support to our manufacturers and their families. We are expanding and offering more jobs to the local people, providing a better quality of living. We are also looking to recycle more at the fair trade workshops. We are also in the process of setting up a charity for abandoned children in Bali. Some ideas are floating around that include handmade clothes and shoes …watch this space!

What’s your favourite piece from the new AJ collections?
Katie: The special edition biker bags in violet and bright green are really cool and made from the most beautiful leather that will last forever. I also adore the jai satchels…Alexa Chung has just put her order in for one. These are made from patch working the left over snakeskin pieces so that nothing is wasted.

Describe your perfect bag.
Katie: Has to be our chandra snakeskin clutch! Its a classic and something I will never tire of using. I have about 10 of them in different cols and sizes and they never fail to make me feel glamorous and fashionable!

Who would you choose as your ethical style role model?
Katie: Katharine Hamnett is amazing, she is really careful about the sourcing of her materials as well as working conditions. She is currently collaborating with the charity Prospect Burma to highlight the plight of the Burmese people, and profits from a related range of T-shirts are donated to the cause.

Visit Angel Jackson’s online boutique

PS: There’s a 20% discount on all purchases between now and December 18