STS Founder and Designer
Erica Gordon
Steel Toe Studios is a design and metalsmithing company in Seattle, Washington.
It is owned, operated and comprised of one Erica Gordon, a trained blacksmith
artist and designer. The belts are informed by her industrial surroundings
as well as other media such as cinema and architecture. Each piece is hand
made using a variety of techniques from her different fields of interest,
such as blacksmithing, jewelry and painting.
Great regard is paid to finish. Each piece is hand patinaed, painted and distressed, followed by either a wax or acrylic sealant, resulting in subtleties that express the intimate nature of this process. Erica makes her top-grain leather belts with a snap attachment, allowing different buckles to be worn with one belt. Erica's work will continue to modulate subtly as it is worn and loved, further enhancing the look of the distressed finish.
From day one at Steel Toe Studios we've made it a major part of our company's mission to be green and sustainable. We just didn't make a big deal out of it!
We primarily recycle and repurpose the majority of our buckle materials , and as a two woman business, we are about as fair and equal trade as you can get, everything is made right here in the US. Plus, we source 90% of our materials locally, yep, right here in sunny Seattle.
We strive to contribute modern, handmade, unique accessories to the indie fashion world, and to do it in a way that is conscientious and sustainable. Our work is produced with the highest regard to finish, quality crafstmanship and sustainable practices.
Our new recycled bike tube belt is, in our esteemed opinion, the best that is on the market. Designed and created in collaboration with our super talented friends at Alchemy Goods, the belt features a double tube construction with triple top stitching that provides durability without sacrificing style. Wear that old spare in style!
"Erica, just checked my mailbox and it was there. It is beautiful. You do amazing work... Hell, I might strut around town in it as well. "
"...It's a great belt. Really. They all look fabulous in the pictures on your website, but it's even better in person..."