Scabby Robot

Scabby Robot is the brainchild of Jill Harrell, a soft goods designer and artist from San Francisco, California.

Her wonderfully organic-looking leather accessories had an organic evolution of their own from creative outlet to small business. With a degree in industrial design from the California College of the Arts, Jill launched Scabby Robot in 2006 as a way to explore her interests in art and design. She migrated from illustrations to handbags and wallets.

The venture is a one-woman operation, from concept to execution. Stitching together each piece on a vintage Singer sewing machine, the objects take on "slouchy, yet architectural" forms, and the materials themselves provide inspiration for the design. The use of textured leather with rough cuts is a kind of jagged naturalism, ensuring bags and clutches come into being with distinct personalities. Over time, the leather will wear well, patina and develop a personality tailored to the user, much like raw denim.