When Lindsay Furniss opened The Tannery in Holt, she had no idea that in just seven years she would find herself running four shops and three different businesses.
“We have friends and family in Italy and always admired the leather goods there. So when my husband couldn’t find a new briefcase anywhere locally, it made us think about a gap in the market and we opened the Tannery in Holt, selling beautiful leather items, mainly from carefully sourced producers in Italy.”
A second Tannery shop in Norwich followed, along with underwear specialists Pollard and Read in Holt, which has just moved to a larger store, and then “and shirts” in Norwich selling beautifully tailored Italian womenswear.
So it is little surprise Lindsay likes a bag which can hold everything she needs for her hectic work schedule and frequent buying trips to Italy. “I don’t like highly branded bags, I tend to choose a bag for its style, quality of leather, with it needs compartment to keep everything safe. At the moment I love my Texier Gaia Handbag, a French brand. It is black leather with a stamped croc texture.”
Belvedere purse, from Florence…
My purse is very well loved and is seven years old. It is made by Belvedere in Florence and is a beautiful orange, stamped lizard leather. I always go for this style of purse, it is big and roomy and has separate zip-up compartments to keep your notes flat.
Clarins Joli Rouge lipstick, Rose Berry, £18
I love Clarins products and always have a lipstick with me. I particularly love this shade, Rose Berry, and don’t like to be without it.
Clarins Ever Matte Mineral Powder compact, £26
I like to be able to powder my nose if I want to freshen up my make-up or am popping out somewhere. Again, I tend to use Clarins, the quality is just so good.
iPhone 5 and iPad mini, prices vary.
I couldn’t keep on top of work without these two gadgets. I am never without my iPad mini and it fits perfectly in my bag. If I am overseas or at a trade fair I can take pictures on it, document things and then email them or file them away. I can be much more responsive and organised.
Hairbrush by Koh i Noor, £12, available from The Tannery.
I am never without a hairbrush and Koh i Noor is my favourite brand. We stock them at The Tannery and the quality is just amazing. I have had this one for years and they come in all different styles and colours.
And a little something else ...
Handbag organiser, from Picard, from £17.
These little organisers are amazing. Mine is black, with lots of zipped compartments and separate pockets. You always know where your essential things are within your handbag and it is really great for travelling, you know where your passport is.
The Tannery, 4-6 Bull Street, Holt, NR25 6HP; 01263 713642; www.thetannery.co.uk
