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.
