Tucked away in a quiet corner of Ultimo, Sydney, Owl & Lion Bindery appears unassuming, hidden behind an understated glass storefront and discreet gold signage. Inside, leather-bound books adorned with Victorian-style gilt tooling line the shelves, alongside expansive worktables scattered with paper, cloth, and thread. In one corner, makers fold, stitch and press pages with meticulous care. It feels like lifting the veil into a world where time slows down and things are made to last.
Becoming A Book Binder
The owner, Isabelle McGowan, realised her dream of being a book binder since the age of seven. In an interview with the State Library of NSW, Isabelle said she was inspired by a relief primary school teacher who was also professional bookbinder. “I got a glimpse into a world where people make books for a living and knew that was what I wanted to do,” she said. During her college years, Isabelle travelled to Florence to train in bookbinding under the instruction of a fifth-generation Italian binder. After testing her skills and learning capacity over the first three days, the Italian master took Isabelle on as an apprentice. Her journey in Florence lasted for the next four years.
A Two-Millennia-Old Craft
Bookbinding is the centuries-old tradition of preserving and making books by hand. Compared to standard bookbinding, fine binding requires a high level of craftsmanship, patience, and technical and creative skills. It involves the use of elaborate design and skillful techniques such as tooling, edge gilding, stamping and embossing. Most materials are handmade and thus are expensive to source. Historically, this process evolved in medieval scriptoria and was later refined during the handpress era, forming the foundation of modern conservation and fine binding practices used today.
In 2007, Isabelle opened a bindery in Edinburgh. She moved back to Sydney and establishing Owl & Lion Bindery in 2018. The atelier specialises in book repairs and restoration, paper conservation, gold decoration, book boxes, and fine leather binding. “It’s a quiet declaration of everything I’ve worked for, every risk, every lesson, every book made, repaired, and restored, every class taught, all in small, steady steps.”
For Isabelle, the studio is not just a job; it’s a place for her creative passion, honesty, and hard work.
“As much as I can, I try to approach each day with purpose,” she says. “As a bookbinder, I am lucky to be merging passion with profession.”
“Restoring books and teaching workshops enrich my journey — returning cherished volumes, building community with our Wild Binders Club, and sharing the art of bookbinding brings me joy.”
The studio’s clients include both private collectors and institutions looking for high-quality restoration and bespoke binding work. Among the notable names are the Vatican, the National Library of Scotland, and the Catholic University in Sydney.
Isabelle also runs regular classes and workshops for both beginners and experienced practitioners, teaching traditional bookbinding skills such as sewing, case binding, marbling, and box making. Her upcoming workshops include the Magical Block Printing Session, Quarter Leather Case-Binding and Traditional Lidded Box-Making.
Contact
Website: https://www.owlandlion.com/
Photos: Owl & Lion Bindery
Words by: Nina Nguyen
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