We came across the Spring/Summer 2011 collection of accessory brand Fleet Ilya and were stunned in an instant by the beautiful bright colors of the products and their fine finishings, not to mention the extraordinary combination of handcrafted luxury goods and the brand’s spicy character. Fleet Ilya is founded by Ilya Fleet, a Russian-born designer with training in traditional saddle-making, and Resha Sharma, a Central Saint Martins Graphic Design graduate from London.

Fleet began taking his traditional leather training and combining it with a knowledge of 3-D design learned from his late father, a renowned Russian sculptor. Fleet Ilya became known as a taboo-breaking accessory label that brings together the skill of classical training with imagination and artistic vision of its founders, who create pieces that range from bondage-like belts and waist clinchers to extravagant masks and beautiful, more subtle shoulder bags and clutches.