Fleet Ilya has become renowned for employing cleverly utilitarian and creative concepts to produce high quality leather goods. It is the combined creative effort of Ilya Fleet and Resha Sharma. Ilya received his training in Coventry, under the guidance of a master craftsman and saddler. He is heavily influenced by his father, a Russian sculptor, whose constructivist tendencies shine through in Ilya’s work as a rigorous pursuit of functionality and a sublimity of form. Resha is a London born graduate of Central St. Martins and co-art directs the collections.
Their designs often display a strong sense of stylized surrealism, in the form of corset-like harnesses and waist clinchers, extravagant masks and headpieces, and cleverly incorporated sculptural detailing. The collections can be broken down into three distinct lines -Classic, Concept, and Restraint. The Classic line consists of a range of bags, belts, and leather accessories which draw from the more surrealist and risque elements of the other two lines to create something for the everyday. The Concept line is a place for endless exploration and fantasy, to capture the imaginations of the creative industry and provide unique pieces for editorial and aspiration. The Restraint line is commonly dubbed as the epitome of luxury bondage, and it is where Ilya’s impressive mastery of leather and form are presented in their most extreme precision.Fleet Ilya’s designs can be purchased in boutiques throughout the world and found in the pages of magazines such as Numero, L’ Officiel, and Vogue.
