Extras Story
With over 100 years of heritage across 4 family generations, Extras has grown from small beginnings to one of the UK’s leading fashion accessory manufacturers.
Through these years of experience we have built a solid understanding of what it takes to design, produce and care for a quality product.
See our story below:
1910
D. Smith Snr. establishes D.Smith Wholesale Leather and Grindery Stores, established 1910, 27 Lady Ln, Leeds. her and Grindery Store is set up in Leeds
1930-1960
From the 1930s - 1960s - Arthur Smith (D. Smith Snr's son), began working in the family business, expanding the business within Leeds Kirkgate market before establishing a leather accessories boutique in Eastgate, Leeds.
1971
David Smith, Arthur Smith’s son opens up an additional retail bags & accessories shop “David Smith’s Leathergoods” in Leeds Kirkgate Market
1975 - Fire in the Market
In 1975, just a few years after David Smith Jnr opened the leather repairs shop in Leeds Kirkgate Market, a fire started one Saturday evening at the lower end of the market.
David, as always, stayed late that day to cash up the takings for the day. All the markets's gates were locked, the only exit being in the part of the market where the fire was raging, destroying everything in its path. David and three fellow store owners only managed to break themselfs free using a crowbar on chains at the top gates.
1985
In 1985, David Smith Jnr. established the “Extras” boutique in the desirable Queens Arcade in Leeds. The boutique stocked a carefully curated collection of designer handbags from brands that were not as widely accessible outside of London as they are today. The brands included Gucci, Dior, Mulberry and Cartier.
1988
In 1988 David Smith Jnr opened a second Extras boutique in Imperial Arcade, Huddersfield, along with stores in Pinstone Street, Sheffield and Scarborough. David sourced product directly from the brands, he visited exhibitions and trade shows in London and in Italy in cities like Milan to view the latest collections and place orders for the styles he thought would be successful in Extras stores.
1995
A round the world trip is taken by David to find a suitable manufacturer for his own line of bespoke leather goods. The trip took him to several places before a suitable manufacturer was found in Bogata, Columbia
Smith and Canova is launched establishing a unique brand of luxury leather goods & accessories Smith and Canova’s first exhibition is held at Birmingham National Motorcycle Museum
The Smith & Canova showroom opens its doors for business in the Queens Arcade Extras shop.
1995-1998
Production moved from Bogata, Columbia to a factory on the outskirts of Florence, Italy.
1998
Manufacturing begins in India.
2001 - Present
Manufacturing is moved to Hong Kong and Mainland China.
A creative team of in-house designers, sales and admin staff are established in the Leeds head office supporting the continued growth of the company
2002
SMITH & CANOVA Lifestyle is launched, a collection of contemporary leather goods and accessories.
2007
CLAUDIA CANOVA is launched with a unique selling point of designing leather look handbags and accessories without the price tag of a luxury leather bag.
2009
David’s eldest son Richard Smith begins working for the company, becoming CTO in 2011.
2010
David’s second son Robert Charles Smith begins working for the company, becoming Creative Director in 2013.
2013
ARTSAC, a nylon luggage & accessories brand is launched focusing on stylish, colourful, fun & practical bags durable enough for even the most active individual.
2017
CONSIGNED is launched. Clean cut designs, innovative materials, specialist trims and technical construction are what the brand stands for.
2018
Fenton is launched. Offering a unique, streetwear spin on leather look bags and accessories.
2022
Designed to satisfy the causal outdoor consumer- Elliker is launched. Offering a range of outdoor bags and accessories made from durable waterproof materials.