István Steixner
"With hand, heart and soul"
TRADITION AND UNIQUENESS -
DOWN TO THE SMALLEST STITCH
My name is István Steixner, I was born in 1984 in Székesfehérvár. I was introduced to folk crafts at the age of ten, thanks to leatherworker Sarolta Pásztor. From then on, I constantly improved my skills: during primary school, I learned needle enamelling and pentameter from Judit Korcz and Csaba Fehér; woodcarving from József Berta and applied graphics from István Bauer. From there, he went straight to the vocational school of fine and applied arts, where he studied leatherwork, and to the Lórántffy Zsuzsanna High School of leather decorating in Dunaújváros. My result in the National Apprentice of Excellence competition only convinced me that leatherwork was my path.
PERSONALISE YOUR LOOK WITH A HANDMADE LEATHER ACCESSORY! WRITE ME YOUR IDEA AND TOGETHER WE WILL MAKE IT HAPPEN!
EXHIBITIONS, FESTIVALS, EVENTS
It was at this time that I met Anita Molnárné Lukács, a leatherworker, who saw the talent in me and helped me to further my education. With his support, I have been successful in several competitions, county and national competitions, winning first place in the categories of fine arts, crafts and folk art. I asked him to open my first exhibition in 2004. Since then, I have participated in nearly 20 exhibitions and exhibitions. I was already working as a teaching assistant, leading workshops and doing restoration work. I became self-taught in calligraphy and charter writing, and also studied ethnography and art history in more depth. Since 2003 I have been invited to participate in numerous craft fairs, festivals, solo and group exhibitions. In 2004 I received the Muddy Water Art Award. After that I continued my studies at the School of Folk Crafts and Arts in Budapest, where I was able to learn from renowned folk artists Anna Petrás and György Petrás, and started working with many of the professionals and masters I admire. Between 2004 and 2006 I was invited to Prague and Vienna as a guest artist at the Hungarian embassies there. Festivals, exhibitions and fairs are still very close to me, and I like to visit them with my products, so I can have a more personal relationship with my customers. Over the years, I have had the pleasure of participating in hundreds of events. On such occasions, I have more time to assess needs and new trends, and also to present the fruits of my labour.
BEYOND LEATHERWORK
Between 2006 and 2008 I worked as a leatherwork teacher in Sárbogárd, and between 2009 and 2010 I worked as a
I taught leatherwork in Székesfehérvár. In 2007, I and my fellow creators launched the Source of Traditions
a series of events in Aba; and was elected a member of the Aba Magistrate.
Since 2008 I have been working full time in leather crafts, making unique objects, bags, belts, watch straps.
In 2010, I completed the Cultural Project Cycle Manager training at the KIC. I am constantly looking for ways to
to improve myself, for example, since 2010 I have been making sallangs, since 2011 bone and horn carving, since 2012
I am learning woodcarving. During the summer, I organise several folk art themed events, create and teach. From 2013
I also started to create for the business sector, because it’s always a great experience for me when I create something new and unique, really
I can fulfil a special request.
In 2016 I moved to Dunaújváros, where I started to “develop” my business and myself. A new workshop in 2022
where, thanks to the excellent team, I have now produced nearly 10,000 works of art, worldwide.
52 countries, on a wide range of topics.
In 2018, I submitted my first “Griffes Kollekció” application to the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with which
I immediately won the Hungarian Craftsman of the Year Award.
In 2020 at the Eger Junior Expo – National Exhibition for Young Entrepreneurs 3. I came in first place.
Also this year, the Captain General and President of the World Federation of the Order of the Knight of 1956 conferred the title of Knight of the Order of the Knight;
and with my premium men’s bag set with ray insert, I have again won the REMEKEK REMEKE – the Hungarian Craftsman of the Year
Great prize.
The list of awards continued, with the XXVI. Professional Elite charity awards gala in October for the WINNER OF THE YEAR
I received the Gold Star of the WORKER 2020 Award!
In 2021, my business was awarded the top prize of the SALE OF THE YEAR 2021. Furthermore the Dunaújváros and the
I was also included in the list of Fejér County Values. In 2021 and 2022, I was again awarded the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Award for Outstanding Craftsman. And in 2023, I was awarded the Craft Ambassador award. This year
I founded my second brand, Steixner Manufacture.
THE REPRESENTATION OF FOLK ART
My aim is to present with my works the objects and motifs that are the heritage of the Hungarian people, which the storms of history have not been able to erase or change. I draw from this world of forms, which has a history going back thousands of years, but I can show it not only in its original form, but also updated for today. I try to combine tradition and innovation, I believe that what is ancient Hungarian can be modern at the same time. I’m happy to fuse traditional elements with any style, according to the client’s vision. I am very pleased that not only Hungarians but also foreigners are interested in my works. Thanks to their commissions, Hungarian culture can reach the farthest corners of the world, and an ever wider audience can become acquainted with our formal heritage and folk art. Of course, I do not only make unique leather products decorated with Hungarian motifs: the customer can choose any other pattern according to his taste. The limit is infinity!
I MAKE EVERYTHING BY HAND - DOWN TO THE LAST DETAIL
All my creations are handmade according to individual ideas, from the design of the pattern, to the cutting of the leather, to the sewing. I pay special attention to each piece, sometimes working on one at a time until it is perfect. In addition to Hungarian quality leathers, I also like to use other natural materials such as wood, bone, horn, felt or beads, and I add jewellery to the pieces.
