ABOUT Justin OH

London based British designer, Justin studied Fashion BA at St. Martins School of Art, and completed MA at the Royal College of Art (Courtaulds Bursary). He worked for JOSEPH, London and Paris; and in Tokyo for Yohji Yamamoto before returning to UK and setting up on his eponymous label. Following over 10 years of official London Fashion Week catwalk shows, sponsors and collaborations in London, Paris, Florence and Milan; Justin took on a new direction, emerging with a colourful and playful range of accessories; ranging from wallets to bags.

His current work stems from a fascination with the inherent quality of very British outdoor pursuits like equestrian sports, sailing, fishing and hunting as well a love for the simple craftsmanship of the Arts & Craft movement. Detailing includes webbing from a horse’s harness and horse bits - rivets, cast D-rings, trigger hooks; making handles and construction strong and durable with a beauty inherent in those classic designs. Justin was never about fashion trends but timeless style, craft and utility, an attention to detail and finishing, whether it be luxury or the everyday and the reinvention of tradition.

Materially, Justin always had an obsession with the humble and honest cotton, which he now uses in a waxed canvas form for his bags and totes. He also harnesses cotton for it’s bio degradable qualities in his personal crusade against plastic travel wallets and plastic per se, resulting in his now iconic cloth travel wallets. There is also much use of leather (both natural and dyed) with canvas, resulting in a more contemporary feel to what is otherwise a very traditional object.

Justin currently makes everything on his own at his workshop at Cockpit Arts in Holborn, London; there is a sky light and a small window; with a growing fan base, both locally, internationally and those who simply remembered Justin’s unique aesthetic.