Otis Ingrams has been working with leather for over a decade. OTZI was born out of Otis’s need to work with his hands and to create work with a permanence and durability, in contrast to the disposability of so many of today's items. Inspired by William Morris’ sentiment “Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful” Otis wanted to make functional yet beautiful pieces that can withstand and be enhanced by the rigours of regular use. Drawn towards leather as a core material - the feel and handle of the material and the sheer breadth of design applications it has – he founded OTZI in 2013 and began making small leathergoods and bespoke leatherwork for interiors. After years investigating the potential and the possibilities of leather, he published 'Leatherworks' in 2017; a craft book offering a step-by-step guide to the basics. In 2018 he was made a QEST scholar with the support of the Leathersellers’ Company.
From a nomadic beginning across London, OTZI is now settled in Norfolk, East Anglia and has developed an ever-growing collection of interior objects and furniture made from leather and hardwood. At OTZI, Otis is supported by a dedicated team of highly trained craftspeople; all with training and experience in their crafts, as well as additional ongoing one on one training and guidance from Otis.