Gentlemen, let us introduce you to the new line of Hard Graft Camera Accessories that includes a hand-held quickstrap, a shoulder strap and a fine camera “box” bag for full coverage.
Hard Graft is a juxtaposition of two opposites, it’s a combination of textures creating a tension whilst staying balanced and pure. And so, every hard graft product has a calm aura and quiet confidence. Not attention grabbing, no, but it catches your eye. All Hard Graft goods are relaxed, casual with a real sense of refinement – real instant classics. And then comes this connection of theirs with photography. And we instantly fell in love with all three items.
The Hold Camera Handle keeps your camera in your hand, it’s secure, flexible and really comfortable, handmade from our trademark leather and wool felt. Sometimes you might not need a full shoulder strap so this handle lets you grab your camera and shoot. Do note, it has a patented 360º steel hook with a connection width of just 5mm – so you have unrestricted hold positions, while the length of the handle in use remains at approximately 15cm. The Hang Camera Strap on the other hand, is an adjustable shoulder strap that lets you carry the camera at a length from around 60cm – 65cm and has an adjustable and removable leather -wool shoulder strap (plus a small internal leather pocket for memory cards). As for the “box” bag, it includes a removable padded wool divider and measures 15.5cm x 11cm x 13cm. All in all, they are perfect.
But who is behind the brand Hard Graft? A couple. A boy and a girl. Who love to travel, as much as they love photography, leather and wool. They started back in 2006, while on a 6422 km road trip up the amazing Australian East Coast. Squashed into a tiny camper van contrasted with endless walks on the beach, free from it all they were philosophising of creatively working together. Their names are Monie.ka and James. And they are Austrian and English. And together they created a special spark. It took them a mere fortnight to decide that they had to leave their old lives behind. And start a future together. Since then they traveled quite a lot, changed many homes. And before they founded Hard Graft (officially, that was back in 2008) they dedicated themselves to creative positions at renowned fashion houses such as Vivienne Westwood and big Advertising & Design Agencies, including Publicis and JWT.
“We both have a passion for materials and textures and we started to experiment and play with different tactile experiences. I, monie.ka, have a diploma in knitwear design and I have a big fascination for wool. The feeling of it, the way it isolates, the way it behaves, it’s such a beautiful resource”, the couple says proudly. “We discovered that combining the rough and robust wool with another old world material – leather, that they enhanced and complimented each other”.
