THE MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME:
LEARN HOW TO START AN ACCESSORY BUSINESS OR GROW YOUR ACCESSORY BRAND
Product development mentorship for creatives who want to start, build, or grow an accessory brand
HANDS-ON LEARNING FROM CONCEPT TO CREATION
WHAT WE COVER
Each mentorship is fully tailored, but typically includes:
– Accessories product development from concept to production.
-Support to develop and launch a first accessories collection.
-Product design for leather goods, lifestyle accessories, and pet accessories
– Functional, manufacturable, and scalable product development.
– Materials sourcing, selection, and development, including leather, vegan materials, and technical components.
– Sampling, prototyping, and production processes.
– Communication with suppliers, manufacturers, and factories.
– Industry structure, roles, and production chain understanding.
– Solving production challenges, including cost, materials, and custom development.
– Developing collections that are production ready and commercially viable.
A UNIQUE APPROACH AND PROFESSIONAL INSIGHTS
HOW IT WORKS
This is not a marketing course, business strategy class, design workshop, or consulting service.
Our mentorship focuses on everything practical, from developing your accessory designs to working with suppliers and manufacturers. You will learn how to navigate the accessory industry, make informed decisions, build the right relationships, and avoid common pitfalls that many brands face.
Whether you are starting an accessory business or growing an existing brand, you will work on real product development challenges, turning your ideas into products that can actually be made and brought to market.
During the sessions, your mentor will discuss your goals, assign tailored tasks, and review your progress. After each session, you will receive clear next steps and action points to keep your project moving forward.
TAILORED SUPPORT AND INDUSTRY EXPERTISE
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
Make design choices that fit materials, construction, production limits, and costs.
Solve real manufacturing challenges, from sourcing materials to creating scalable designs.
Develop accessories that are ready for production and can grow with your brand.
Guided by an industry expert
THE MENTOR
Sara Battiston is a fashion accessories designer, leather goods specialist, and founder of The London Leather Workshop.
She graduated in Fashion Design in Rome and further specialised in bag construction and leather goods making in Milan and Florence, before continuing her training in traditional saddle stitching techniques in the UK. With over 20 years of experience, her work focuses on the development of bags and accessories from concept to production.
Her approach brings together design, making, and technical construction, with a strong understanding of materials and how products are developed in practice.
Her teaching is based on real studio work and covers product development, construction, and preparation for production. While she specialises in leathercraft and bag making, her work extends to accessories design more broadly, including leather, vegan materials, and textiles.
She works with students and clients internationally, supporting designers, makers, and emerging brands in developing products that are clear, well resolved, and ready for production.
Her focus is on helping ideas move clearly from concept to production.
FORMAT
Sessions last up to 90 minutes and can be used in different ways depending on your needs, including in-person consultations at the studio, video or phone calls, or a combination of both.
MENTORSHIP OPTIONS AND FEES
SINGLE SESSION £140 – up to 1.5 hours
Provides focused support on a specific stage of accessories product development.
3-SESSION PACKAGE £390 – up to 4.5 hours
Provides more structured support, covering product direction, materials, and production planning.
6-SESSION PACKAGE £740 – up to 9 hours
Provides full support to develop or refine an accessories collection from concept to production.
Sessions are available Monday to Friday, with weekend sessions offered on request with a 30% surcharge.
