About William Adler
William Adler’s inspiration is rooted in a passion for cinema and the arts. It dates back to when he was a young stage actor in the 70’s. Fresh from studying his craft at the Goodman School of Drama in Chicago after attending Trinity University in Texas and Wayne State University in Detroit, William started his career performing in repertory theaters throughout the United States; in American Classics and Shakespearean productions.
In spring 1974, Adler was brought to Los Angeles from New York by the William Morris Agency to screen test for “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”. As is well known, he did not land the part, but WMA encouraged him to stay to audition for TV, film and commercials. William made his on-screen debut as Sleazy Fingers in Jack Hill’s terrific “Switchblade Sisters” (re-released in 2010 by Quentin Tarantino). Following this, he enjoyed a series of roles in several now iconic TV shows including “Wonder Woman,” “CHiPs,” “Trapper John, M.D.,” “Welcome Back Kotter,” “Laverne and Shirley,” and “Vega$.” Adler also appeared in several 70’s low-budget, drive-in exploitation features. Other memorable roles include: Antagonistic drag race champion Duane in “The Pom Pom Girls”, the groovy Steve in “The Van,” and the cocky Bobby in “Van Nuys Blvd.”
William’s impressive run in tinsel town came to a halt when the Screen Actors Guild strike of 1981 brought production to a standstill. With thousands of actors out of work and no foreseeable end in sight, William started a small color web belt (scout belts) stand on the Venice Beach boardwalk under the name “Rainbow Belts,” under recommendation from his brother who worked in the fashion industry. Capitalizing on the breaking trend, his belt stand expanded and became known as “Billy Belts.” Adler, once an entrepreneurial actor, quickly moved into the leather belts industry, became a manufacturer and opened a factory in Banning California. The factory employed over 150 people who helped distribute wholesale to many men’s specialty and department stores.
By 1988, Billy Belts had a strong share of the young men’s leather goods market and William had a new daughter Shane, who would eventually follow in her dad’s acting footsteps. With a large family and a thriving business under his belt, Adler sold Billy Belts to a rival firm in 1992.
While sitting out his contract, William Adler moved his family to the quiet college town of Eugene, Oregon. Falling in love with the farming lifestyle and spiritual community, Adler was back in the leather goods game this time under Bill Adler Studio. Here, William designed and developed product for Levi’s, Dockers and Columbia Sportswear and began to design trendy, novelty studded and western style belts. Again, Adler’s love for leather smith propelled the company to success and another acquisition in 2002.
After over 25+ years in the industry and after walking away from two successes, Adler created a new company named Spirit Leather Works. In a major milestone, Adler landed a licensing agreement with apparel powerhouse NIKE to make all their leather accessories for Nike Golf and Tiger Woods brands that continues to this day.
With another successful business established, William Adler was inspired to create a bold new brand for himself – one that would take a classic leather accessories company and fuse it with a movie line plot…and there WILL Leather Goods was born. Finally free to build a cinematic vision without limitations or demands of the market, William used inspiration from the western art of riding saddles, gun holsters and cowboy belts. He took bold strokes with natural, raw design methods coupled them with modern production techniques and his flair for presentation that he had culled from many years in the industry.
William Adler’s vision is more alive than ever. Beautiful products created by a family of employees and craftsman who bring his concept to life in every single piece they make. Every WILL Leather Goods creation has a story and the company President Will Adler is here to tell it.
Be inspired and be creative.
