Homegirl London pays homage to The Rag and Bone Man. Paul Firbank and his partner Lizzie Gossling are the couple behind this amazing company. Paul is a modern craftsman and master of repurposing, dedicated to giving a new lease of life to junk which is destined for the rubbish tip. He loves nothing better than sifting through London’s scrap yards, railway arch grease shops and thrift markets searching for metal parts and vintage engineered machinery. With these discarded bits, he pieces them together like an engineering puzzle to create lights, coat hooks and chairs which are steeped in history and ready to enjoy a new reincarnation as something useful and beautiful. I caught up with Paul and Lizzie to find out more …
Q: Tell me about your background.
A: I think it’s only in the last few years since the beginning of The Rag and Bone Man that my skills and experience have become much more consolidated.
I’ve always worked with my hands and was not particularly academic by nature. I tested various career paths; plumbing, plastering, welding and engineering and even 2 years of licensed tattooing before I found my niche.
My love of metal mainly came from tinkering with bikes when I was younger. I originally studied metalwork with a plan to customise push bikes and motorcycles, as this was my passion for many years. I was always making alterations with a strong idea of the way I wanted things to look and adding my own details.
I returned to metalwork when I moved back into East London to be with my artist partner Lizzie and ran a metal work department creating bespoke metal profiles and finishes for picture frames.
I suppose that I’m self-taught when it comes to designing and making. My family are very creative and on reflection has been a big influence. I have also always been a perfectionist, which I think has driven a lot of my learning when I make, to achieve the results I’m after.
Coat rail made from aluminium lorry manifold, with brass details FU2004, £230
Q: Why set up a business?
A: When I was making bespoke pictures frames I started to make sculpture and lighting to support my low income. The lamps would always generate most interest and lead to some successful sales and commissions so I decided to focus on these to see what their potential was. Lizzie and I launched The Rag and Bone Man at Tent London 2011 as part of London Design Festival where we had an overwhelming response and sold everything I had made in the first 3 days. This gave me the confidence to quit the day job and go full time as The Rag and Bone Man.
Wall light featuring a vintage cast iron fuse box with copper pipe neck and a signature fire extinguisher shade WL0017, £360
Q: Where are you based and why?
A: We’re based in Hackney, which works well as there are many railway arch garages helping me with scrap. Hackney is a melting pot of creativity, which I think keeps me really motivated. London’s great for design shows and seeing new styles too.
Q: How many people work at your company?
A: At the moment it’s just the 2 of us due to space restrictions – I’m in the workshop and Lizzie works on the business development. I try not to outsource too much as I enjoy learning new processes and it’s an excuse to buy more machines and tools!
Q: Describe your design style.
A: Building upon the past to create something contemporary. Industrial but modern and unique.
Vintage jack desk lamp, features swivel BSA engine cover shade and milling machine height adjuster DL0021, £590
Q: Where do you draw your creative inspiration from?
A: Anywhere; travelling, books, galleries, museums, documentaries, scrapyards … it’s always best to find it where you least expect.
Q: What’s your fascination with scavenging?
A: I’ve always been a hoarder and a life of tinkering with motorcycles stocked the shelves of my workshop well for a while. I started finding scrap as a way of being resourceful and finding inspiration. I’ve always enjoyed playing with mechanical things and taking mechanisms apart. I love nothing more than finding overlooked and undervalued items otherwise destined for the crusher or melting pot and giving them new life as something completely different. There can’t be too many lamps that in previous lives have put out fires, flown at 200 miles an hour or guided ships saving lives.
Pair of wall lights made from a Ford transit van engine parts WL0018 and 19, £720
Q: Tell me about your pieces.
A: Everything we make is a one off, however we do produce small series. We currently make a wide range of lighting including floor-standing lights, desk lamps, wall lights, pendants and chandeliers and we make several different types of seating. Most importantly everything we make we tag with a serial number, date of completion, photograph and archive so it has a provenance, which collectors enjoy and guarantees that the piece is authentic.
The Rag and Bone Man History Tag
Height adjustable tractor stools made from scaffolding tubes, Sattley tractor seats and brake discs FU0008, £350
Coat hangers made from gold clubs CH0001-8, £60 each
Q: Which designer do you admire and why?
A: I’m fascinated by early engine design from the days before computers, when engineers were true craftsman when things were functional and beautiful. I also enjoy hot rod designs and custom vehicles that have personality such as Aron Kaufman’s masterpieces and Charles Holden’s iconic station designs.
Q: What’s the best thing about owning your own business?
A: Freedom to push things in a new direction is exciting, taking responsibility for my own future and working with my partner.
Q: What one piece of advice would you pass on to someone wanting to set up their own business?
A: Make sure it’s what you want! You never know until you try but be mindful that the first year will most likely be tough and a large learning curve just to start with! We’re currently working with a business mentor and it’s something I would definitely recommend. It’s important to find someone who understands the challenges of your particular work and share your inspiration.
Q: What’s coming up for the rest of 2013?
A: We have just begun our largest single commission for a unique hotel project in Sydney and we have recently heard that we are Kevin McCloud’s Green Hero for the month in Grand Designs magazine. We have a new short film underway that will document me re-working a biplane engine into a chandelier, I have a new style chair under development that I’m very excited about, a larger workshop planned, some shop fits would be great – who knows that’s what keeps things fun.
You can buy pieces directly from the website The Rag and Bone Man. Credits: text by Homegirl London, images courtesy of The Rag and Bone Man, special thanks to Paul Firbank and Lizzie Gossling.
