How many people can say that a school hobby turned into a lifelong passion and a fulfilling career spanning over 40 years? The boys studying Design Technology (DT) and Art in the Upper School were fortunate to hear the inspiring journey of Old Bedfordian Bill Amberg (75–79), whose first encounter with leatherwork at school led him to become one of the UK’s leading authorities on leather in architecture and design.
Bill was always a creative student, often found in the Design and Technology Department. It was a teacher’s casual suggestion that sparked his interest in leatherwork. Encouraged by this, his mother would buy scraps of leather from Northampton markets for him to experiment with. After leaving school, Bill travelled the world, learning from master artisans, and refining his skills. Eventually, he returned to London and established his own studio.
Today, over four decades later, Bill Amberg Studio is a leader in bespoke leather products, interiors, and furniture. His team has collaborated with renowned designers and architects such as Paul Smith, Donna Karan, Romeo Gigli, David Chipperfield, Norman Foster, Renzo Piano, and Eric Parry—the architect behind the school’s Library and Music School.
While Bill shared highlights of his celebrated work, he focused more on the creative process: the value of collaboration, thinking outside the box, and always putting ideas on paper. He revealed his “secret weapon” for success—the humble notebook. Before his talk, Bill visited the DT department and was delighted to see sharpened pencils lined up in the workshop and student sketches proudly displayed along the corridor.
The boys were captivated by Bill’s story. Hands shot up eagerly during and after his talk, as students were keen to learn more about the exciting world of design and its limitless possibilities. At the end of the talk, they had an opportunity to see some of his work up close and to talk to Bill. The boys left the session with a deeper appreciation for creativity—and a newfound respect for the power of a simple sketchbook.
A heartfelt thank you to Bill for taking time out of his busy schedule—especially when he was meant to be at a design fair in New York launching one of his latest products!
