Adam Atkinson

Utility Archive joins the dots between modern lifestyle and outdoor activity. Balancing form and function, our understated aesthetic is underpinned by careful consideration to quality and sustainability, ergonomics and function, materials and colour. Well designed outdoor product that blends seamlessly with your everyday aesthetic and the outdoor environment.

Over 25 years experience creating bags and accessories for major global brands. I bring this experience, and an industry-wide contact list to my clients.

Comfortable managing the complete product creation process or focusing on a specific area, I work equally well independently or in a team. Being London-based allows me flexibility to travel nationally and internationally.

My commercial approach is organised and pragmatic. I deliver innovative, relevant and profitable product, on time and to brief. My creative aim is functional, simple and beautiful product solutions. Recent clients include Utility Archive (my own brand), Brooks England, Chapman, Langly, Millican and Nike. I work to a competitive day or project rate in line with my experience.

I founded Cherchbi with a simple idea make bags using the discarded wool of the ancient Herdwick breed. This developed into a niche luxury goods brand modern designs draw inspiration from Britain's creative, cultural and manufacturing heritage and are crafted in a robust, traditional quality. The entire collection is manufactured in Britain using British materials. I developed Herdwyck No.10, the brand's trademarked waterproof tweed over a three-year period.

Since launching at Pitti Uomo in AW11 Cherchbi collaborated with John Smedley, Hardy Amies and Marwood and sold in Mr Porter, Dover Street Market, Hardy Amies and Bloomingdales.

I managed all aspects of the brand product creation, production, brand marketing, online and wholesale sales, events and collaborations. Cherchbi is a small brand punching way above it's weight. I bring the unique experience of founding and managing this high calibre brand to my freelance clients. See the story and product at www.cherchbi.co.uk.

Blue-sky project conception and innovation.
Rapid design response to emerging trends across all categories.
Preparation of monthly trend report, presented to the board.
Oki-Ni + Puma - Puma classics reinterpreted with tailoring fabrics and techniques.
Marcel Wanders Luxury Camping - Entire collaboration project management.
Puma Travel Golf Bags - Designed 48hour travel concept and first sub-2kg golf bag.

Managed EMEA region bag and accessory development, responsible for 200 styles and 90 new developments per season, valued at €82m in 2003.
Managed and mentored the five-person product development team.
Designed Transfer, Nike's first ever travel luggage collection.
SS05 strategic plan improved department processes resulting in 13% cost price reduction.
Created raw material Library & Training Tool, arranged training workshops.
Awarded the Bill Bowerman Award for World Cup 2002 and a Maxims Award for the Manchester United product launch in 2003.

Design and development of men's and homeware ranges for Radley, Hidesign and Tula.
Negotiation of price, delivery & quality to agreed targets.
Managed repositioning of Tula Travelgoods resulting in 90% category turnover increase.

Range development and buying for Debenhams luggage concession and factory outlets.
Product management of the Hedgren & Globe-Trotter brands in the UK.