An Ipswich-based creative duo are launching a new revolutionary timepiece, which allows individuals to customise and easily swap the face of their watch to reflect a mood, style or statement. From today (Monday 2 October) anyone can back LEAF Watches on Kickstarter, the funding platform for creative innovations, at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/leafwatches/leaf-watches-changing-the-face-of-time [1].
The initial line will feature the classic stylish timepiece, three convertible straps - in silver mesh, soft brown leather and dark brown leather - and over 100 unique face designs or ‘LEAFs'. LEAF designs range from floral and nautical to contemporary and classic and are made of high-quality stainless steel.
LEAF Watches co-inventor and creative designer Hayley Fraser-Webb has firm roots in Suffolk - she was a lecturer in Graphic Design for over a decade at University Campus Suffolk and is now using her design expertise in her new business venture. Hayley said: "We created LEAF Watches because we were tired of the minimalist watches flooding the market. We wanted a product that would give watch enthusiasts limitless creative potential. Our aim is to revolutionise the watch industry and change the way that people wear traditional watches."
Cassie Bendall, the other half of LEAF Watches and a digital marketer and designer by trade, also has ties with the county having studied Business Management and Marketing at University Campus Suffolk receiving a first class honours. Cassie added: "Hayley came to me with the idea of a watch that gave you the freedom to change the look to suit your mood or style - I was immediately interested and we started brainstorming all of the possibilities. As a marketer, I recognised the value this could bring to consumers and with Hayley's design knowledge there was no stopping us!"
Hot on the tails of London Fashion Week, LEAF Watches will announce a new LEAF designer each week - ranging from illustrators and animators to digital artists and those working with textiles. The company has worked with a group of established and award winning UK designers and watch enthusiasts to create over 100 initial LEAF designs to offer endless creative choice. In addition to the designs available, individuals can also upload their own photos or designs to be printed on LEAFs, making their LEAF watch truly one of a kind.
LEAF Watches' classic timepiece is available to pre-order for £90, exclusively on Kickstarter and includes one strap and three LEAFs. Other pledge options are also available, with worldwide shipping to backers starting in December. After the funding period closes on Friday 3 November, LEAF Watches will retail for £145 on leafwatches.co.uk [2].