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Bags of sailing style C owe s i s s y n o ny m o u s w i t h y a ch t s a n d y a ch t i n g , a n d a l l t h r e e a r e s y n o ny m o u s w i t h Ratsey and Lapthorn, so it’s no surprise t h a t t h e i r n ew r a n ge o f eve r y d ay c a n v a s bags is bursting at the handmade seams with elegant but practical nautical style. Above: Ro makes the Ratsey bags on a vintage Singer called Sydney. Images: Stephanie Mackrill Photography
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styleofwight.co.uk
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ust like their hometown of Cowes, Ratsey and Lapthorn is steeped in sailing history. The brand has certainly earned its canvas stripes – established in 1790 Ratsey and Lapthorn sails have been flown on vessels across the globe ever since, and it is arguably the oldest company on the Isle of Wight. The company’s rich maritime history boasts a long list of achievements, which impressively includes making sails for none other than HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. More recently, the brand has launched a new range of canvas bags that clearly have sailmaker craftsmanship sewn into every stitch. In the airy sun-filled loft where the bags are made, the gentle hum of a vintage 1935 Singer Sewing Machine
called Sydney fills the space. Rolls of reassuringly sturdy canvas in a range of beautiful colours neatly stock the wooden shelves next to spools of rough twine, cobs of cotton, needles, labels and leather – evidence that all the bags that come out of the Ratsey and Lapthorn loft are given personalised, handmade attention. Managing Director Jim Hartley explains how a sailmaker of such renown began making bags: “Many of the old sailmakers used to make bags for the sailors out of scraps of canvas left over from making sails – these original ‘Ratsey Bags’ were made to transport heavy items such as coal and ice onto ships.” Luckily for their modern clientele, the 2021 range is crafted from the same
