In 2005, we discovered that decommissioned fire-hose in the UK had nowhere to go. Every …
In 2005, we discovered that decommissioned fire-hose in the UK had nowhere to go. Every year, between 3 and 10 tonnes of hoses were heading to landfill. We thought that was an ignoble death for a heroic material. Fire-hose is one of the most resilient materials ever made - woven and extruded to carry water under extreme pressure, built to survive conditions that most things could not. We launched a rescue mission and started collecting it, first from the London Fire Brigade, then carefully, cleaning it, and transforming it into beautiful accessories, designed to last. We also donate 50% of the profit from the fire-hose collection to The Fire Fighters Charity.
Everything in this collection is principally made from one type of material: genuine decommissioned British fire-hose. When it is too damaged to repair or reaches 25 years of service it is retired, that is when we bring it to our workshop at New Barns Farm in Kent. The original colour of the majority of our fire-hoses are red or yellow; we do not dye it or try to disguise what it is. The marks and variations you see in the finished pieces are real - they celebrate the history of the material, and we think that is worth keeping.
More than two decades of the same work.
We have been rescuing and transforming fire-hose since 2005. The process - how we source, clean and transform the hose - is something our team has developed over many years. The result is that we make wonderful pieces with a rescued material that is extraordinarily durable, water-resistant and genuinely unique. No two pieces are identical. That is not a quality control problem. It is what makes each one worth owning.
What goes into every piece.
Decommissioned British fire-hose: Collected directly from fire brigades across the UK since 2005, cleaned and prepared using our own equipment and processes. These pieces are primarily red and yellow, which is the original hose colour, unchanged. The colours will vary, as the shade of red and yellow changes with use and over time. No two reds are the same and neither are two yellows.
Solid metal hardware: We work with metal hardware for quality and longevity. It is available in two finishes, antique brass and silver.
Reclaimed Lining: We also rescue the materials for our lining. Depending on the piece this could be failed parachute silk or deadstock cotton canvas.
Twenty years of credentials, independently verified.
- Certified B Corp
- Certified Social Enterprise
- Certified Living Wage employer
- No-outsourcing: Everything is handmade by our own team across our two sites, one in Kent and one in Istanbul
- Queen Award for Enterprise winner
- Cartier Women Initiative winner
- Over 300 tonnes of materials rescued to date
- 50% of profits from this collection donated to The Fire Fighters Charity
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the fire-hose come from?
We collect from fire brigades across the UK. When a hose is decommissioned - it reaches 25 years of age or is too damaged to repair - it would ordinarily go to landfill. We collect it directly from the brigades and bring it to our workshop in Kent. We have been doing this since 2005.
Why do the pieces vary in colour?
Fire-hose is manufactured in red and yellow. We do not alter the colour. Because individual hoses vary slightly in age, UV exposure and wear, no two rescued fire-hoses are exactly alike. This makes every piece unique.
How durable are these products?
Fire-hose is engineered to withstand extreme heat, water pressure and daily operational use. Our bags, wallets and belts are built to be used every day for years, particularly if you take great care of them. The material gets better with use - it softens slightly over time while keeping its structure.
Are the products waterproof?
The fire-hose exterior is highly water-resistant - it was designed to carry water under pressure. It handles rain and light splashing without issue. However, because the hoses are stitched together they are not waterproof, please avoid submerging them.
What does 50% of profits actually mean?
It means 50% of the profits from our fire-hose collection are donated to The Fire Fighters Charity, which supports firefighters and their families across the UK. This has been our commitment since we established Elvis & Kresse. It is not a campaign - it is how our business works.
