The company’s buckles are designed
in London and crafted by skilled makers in Italy, France, the UK
and US. Materials and aesthetics range from the traditional through
the ultra-modern — from sterling silver, horn, pewter and brass
through to carbon fibre, crystals, enamel and engine-turned steel.
The opportunities for personalization and self-expression are
endless, with Rhodes buckles reflecting all manner of
predilections: nautical, western, wildlife, automotive, musical,
minimalist, ethnic, gothic, dandyish, you name it. Among the more
exclusive is a silver-embellished megalodon shark tooth iteration,
priced a little over £4,000.
The selection of belt strap — all
handcrafted in Italy or Spain — can be no less exotic, should you
wish. In addition to ever-reliable hides like fine quality calf
leather, suede and such, an extensive collection of exotic belts in
genuine crocodile, alligator, shagreen (stingray), python, ostrich
and sharkskin are offered in both restrained and eye-catching
colours and textures. In adopting a more audacious approach to the
belt, Rhodes says, “I believed that we could change existing
preconceptions of a product traditionally considered dull and
unsexy and thankfully we seem to be winning the battle.” He doesn’t
frown on those who prefer brown and black belts, but Rhodes is
proud to say that today, these colours today make up only half of
sales.
His goal in founding the firm was to
open customers’ eyes to the possibility of using a belt as a means
of self-expression and eye-catching accessorisation — rather than
merely a tool to keep one’s trousers in place. Rhodes says he
sought to help each consumer “discover their own individuality and
to express this through their belt… a stylish and fashionable
accessory that can be varied according to mood, dress style and
occasion.”
In the 15 years since Elliot Rhodes
launched, it has grown to incorporate three stores in central
London and another in Osaka, Japan, where the endless opportunities
for bespoke belts can be explored in comfort. However, even with
ready-to-wear product such as you’ll see here on TheRake.com,
rarity is inherent in products from Elliot Rhodes.
“The best part of our business is
that we work on small quantities. Individuality works with
exclusivity and we want our customers to know that the belt they
bought is special and not one of thousands. We work only with small
factories where the craftsmen still create belts and buckles using
traditional techniques and make and finish them by hand,” Rhodes
states, most reassuringly.
