Essentials: James Teal of hard graft

This installment of Essentials takes a look at the cardinal belongings of James Teal, co-founder and designer at hard graft. UK-based hard graft design lifestyle and technological accessories including laptop bags, wallets, along with iPhone and iPad cases. Founded in 2008 via the Working Class Heroes store, hard graft takes pride in its enthusiasm for product creation and attention to detail. With the philosophy that a product isn’t finished until it hits the pages of the online site, every step matters from the initial conception of an idea, to the product being crafted by hand in the Italian workshop and finally, to the perfect photograph being taken of the product to present to the public via the hard graft homepage. As a designer for hard graft, perfection is key for Teal as he looks to deliver a practical, durable and stylish product to his clientele. Amongst Teal’s selection of Essentials we find Austrian handmade wool socks, an Ermenegildo Zegna wool blazer, and glass bottled Coke along with firewood and cedar wood incense sticks to accommodate Teal’s love of an open fire. Also common in Teal’s collection we find many hard graft accessories which he explains allows him to test samples and prototypes of new hard graft concepts. One of the most important selections in Teal’s Essentials is his Moleskine notebook which he has with him at all times as it contains all the hard graft ideas, vital for the designer on the move.

Photography: Ravi Sidhu/HYPEBEAST