At Mash + Mint, we love sharing stories behind the brands - the passion, the heritage, and the craftsmanship that make each collection unique. This time, we’re delighted to sit down with Alex from Risdon & Risdon, a Shrewsbury-based brand known for its heirloom-quality aprons, handmade leather bags, and artisan accessories.
From timeless design details to a “Repairs for Life” promise, Risdon & Risdon has built a reputation for creating sustainable, durable, and beautiful workwear loved by chefs, makers, artists, and gardeners across the world. Alex shares the inspiration behind the brand, the craftsmanship that goes into every piece, and why owning a Risdon & Risdon apron is more than just a purchase - it’s an investment in creativity and tradition.
Can you tell us the story behind Risdon & Risdon and what inspired you to create a brand specialising in artisan aprons and handmade accessories?
My mother Carla started the business in 2016. Growing up she was always sewing, a talent passed down from my Grandmother. Mum saw a gap in the market for high quality aprons, and inspired by a trip to San Francisco seeing what baristas were starting to wear there, she knew she wanted to produce something much more craftsman designed with a British feel to it.
What makes a Risdon & Risdon apron or bag unique compared to other workwear and leather goods on the market?
We design all our own products and even though an apron comes as a basic shape, we added our own features for practicality and comfort. Our signature Original apron has wide pockets at the front, slanting down for relaxed comfort, a hidden pocket on the back and comes in a choice of lengths. We also offer a Free Repairs for Life Promise because sustainability is very important to us - we want people to get the most use out of products as possible.
Your products are often described as combining traditional British craftsmanship with modern design - how do you balance heritage and innovation in your work?
The leather straps on our aprons give a very timeless, classic look, they are crafted by hand using traditional tools and methods. But make them in black and add them to a black apron and it creates a very sleek contemporary look. We innovate this with our cork option, finding a naturally dyed black cork that makes a beautiful alternative to leather straps.
Many people search for long-lasting, sustainable aprons and accessories - how does Risdon & Risdon prioritise quality and sustainability in your designs?
When we source our materials we know instinctively what will work - everything needs to work in harmony. We look carefully at suppliers and what is important to them.
Your aprons and bags are loved by makers, chefs, artists, and gardeners alike - who do you picture when designing new products?
When designing new products we often work backwards. If we find a new fabric or leather that we really like, we can then imagine the sort of person who might use it. Artists go for brighter colours, gardeners prefer something more muted but a cloth with durability, makers like leather and chefs want something comfortable that’s not too heavy or fussy. We let the materials guide us.
Can you walk us through the process of creating a Risdon & Risdon apron, from sourcing materials to finishing details?
It took a long time to find the perfect fabric for our aprons. We wanted a robust 10-12oz 100% cotton fabric in a great range of colours. The leather we needed also had to fit a specific criteria, it had to look and feel better with age, and the colour needed to sit well next to each of our apron colours, the thickness also had to balance with the weight of the apron.
The metalware we chose needed to be excellent quality and have just the right look to sit against the rest of the apron. Our Original apron is actually 8 pieces of fabric: the main body, 3 pockets and 4 reinforced corners. It is then all engineered together by our amazing machinists, then the metalware is applied and finally the straps are attached. Our label finishes it off as an assurance of quality and longevity.
Leather aprons and work bags are a real investment - what advice would you give someone choosing their first Risdon & Risdon piece?
When choosing one of our leather aprons, it is important to consider how you will be spending your time wearing it. A lot of our leather aprons have crossback straps - these allow the weight of the apron to be distributed over the back, rather than centred on the back of the neck. This is useful if the apron will be worn for long periods of time.
Another consideration is how supple the leather is - if you will be moving around a lot, maybe in a kitchen, a lighter leather might feel better. If standing in a woodworking studio something thicker might feel more appropriate. In the same way, if you have a lot of lighter weight tools or kit, then selecting the right bag will depend on accessibility, pockets and a suitable carry handle for your particular needs.
The brand is based in Shrewsbury - how has being rooted in Britain influenced your style, materials, and approach to craftsmanship?
Living in the small town of Shrewsbury, with its 800 listed buildings, gives a constant reminder of the past. Things have stood the test of time and the evidence of different trades and manufacturing are everywhere. The Victorians did things very efficiently but with a huge amount of style, even simple pump houses were architecturally stunning both inside and out. Our aprons and bags are designed to do a job, but we make sure that they have a reassuring look of refinement about them too!
More people are searching for ‘heirloom-quality aprons’ and ‘artisan-made bags’ - how does Risdon & Risdon live up to those expectations?
Our workroom is full of tools, some new, but others handed down. Apart from our sewing machines, everything else is done by hand. By using quality fabrics, that are put together in a thought-out way, using strong threads and finished with sturdy rivets, our aprons and bags will be around for many years.
Sustainability is a huge part of consumer choice today. How does Risdon & Risdon ensure that your leather, canvas, and cotton products are responsibly made?
Fortunately the UK and the EU have high standards of legislation to ensure that all the leather we use is ethically produced and the hides we use are always a by-product of the meat industry. Tanning the hides for leather is the most sustainable way of upcycling it for longer use and preventing it from going in to landfill. Strict regulations mean that we can only buy ethical and eco-friendly leather - they are extremely thorough regarding such things as environmental compliance, wastewater and general waste, eliminating the use of toxic chemicals, traceability.
Our denim is made by Candiani, they are innovaters leading the way in sustainable denim production. The cotton canvas we use is Oeko Tex approved and we also use Better Cotton Initiative fabric. Our British Workroom Apron is made from fabric woven in Lancashire supporting British weavers and dyed in Yorkshire. We love looking for new ways to improve our sustainability and are currently working in partnership with another brand to use mycelium leather in a project.
Your products are often gifted for special occasions - why do you think a Risdon & Risdon apron or bag makes such a meaningful gift?
We are delighted that people recognise the craftsmanship in our products and they know that they are buying something special. This type of quality comes at a price and can be looked on as a very considered purchase - for this reason giving a Risdon & Risdon apron or bag makes it a very thoughtful gift. It is also something of a compliment to the receiver that their creative side is being recognised - people gain a lot of enjoyment, relaxation and sense of self when doing something creative and having it appreciated and encouraged can only be a good thing!
You collaborate with makers and creatives around the world - can you share a favourite story about how one of your aprons or bags has been used in real life?
The most famous owner of one of our aprons is Pierce Brosnan - he was an artist before he was an actor! After he had bought one of our Street Aprons we followed his socials hoping to see him in it. Not long afterwards in 2023 he had his first solo art exhibition in Los Angeles, and his producer son Dylan filmed him in his studio wearing our apron to help promote it. He sent us a personal message thanking us for our “great workmanship”.
Looking ahead, what new designs or directions can we expect from Risdon & Risdon in the coming seasons?
We will be putting more time into promoting our British Leather ranges. There are only a handful of tanneries left in the UK but they make some beautiful leathers. We are teaming up with other British producers to create some extremely authentic aprons, bags and accessories.
What advice would you give to someone looking to invest in timeless, handcrafted workwear rather than fast fashion alternatives?
An apron is often an additional part of your tool kit - it is the start and the end of a job - it’s what connects people to their passion. Owning a handcrafted apron that has seen you through every learning curve, every success and failure, and has been on a journey with you is extremely gratifying and brings a sense of pride. Your apron is a testament to it all, often with the marks to prove it. If it was a fast fashion purchase it wouldn’t be able to cope and would have let you down quite early on.
For those discovering Risdon & Risdon through Mash + Mint, what’s the one product you think perfectly represents your brand values and why?
Consistently, our best selling apron is our Original style. We called it the Original because it was our first one and everything else grew from that. We spent the most time sourcing the materials and experimenting with the production methods. It sums up our dedication to craftsmanship, the use of high quality materials, our diligence to sustainability, and finally our to desire that everything should look good.
At Mash + Mint, we believe in championing brands that embody authenticity, sustainability, and artistry - and Risdon & Risdon is a perfect example. Each apron and bag is more than just a functional item; it’s a companion for life’s creative journeys, designed to evolve and grow with you.
If you’re looking for a meaningful gift or a timeless piece of handcrafted workwear, explore our curated selection of Risdon & Risdon aprons and accessories. Every product carries with it a story of heritage, sustainability, and uncompromising quality - a true investment in craftsmanship.
