Elvis & Kresse was established to save London's decommissioned fire hose, after a chance meeting in 2005, with the London Fire Brigade. Up to this point fire hose that was too damaged to repair had been going to landfill and yet this hose was designed to survive in the harshest environments and was too good to waste. Instead, they realised it can be reused to make durable and beautiful bags, belts and wallets, fifty percent of the profits from which are donated to the Firefighter's Charity.
 
The business is growing in popularity with stockists worldwide. They have collaborated with London based designer Bill Amberg, to create the Tooley Tote, which was inspired by a two week fire on Tooley Street, in 1861, which led to the creation of London's first fire brigade. The tote bags are made from the signature red fire hose previously used for fighting fires for around twenty five years. The belts have already attracted celebrity attention. In 2009, American Vogue featured a belt in a Mario Testino shot of Cameron Diaz. The designer Bill Amberg, known for his finely crafted handmade leather goods, has also collaborated with designers like Paul Smith and Donna Karan. His fans include celebrities like Tom Cruise, Kate Winslet and Jamie Oliver. The Tooley Tote, which retails at £260, is a bag that will not just last a lifetime but also comes with a story. The reclaimed auction banner lining material is unique to each piece and the outer reused fire hose fabric may have even helped to save a life.
 
Kresse Wesling and partner James Henrit, the team behind Elvis & Kresse, have also renovated their two bedroom flat using reclaimed goods and unwanted items. They searched charity shops and internet websites like Freecycle to source items cheaply. They estimate what would have cost £35,000 if buying new materials instead only cost £3,000. They made most of the furniture and fittings themselves and time taken has not been accounted for in these figures. Reclaimed items sourced included pallet wood, scaffold boards, Welsh slate, doors, wood and granite. Secondhand furniture finds included a lovely Chesterfield sofa.
 
One of the only things they were unable to find secondhand was a toilet so they bought a new one. They should have checked online at SalvoWEB. There is usually a secondhand bargain or two in the bathroom for sale section.