Santa’s workshop is real and can be found just east of New York City in the center of Long Island. Home to Graphic Image and handbag-maker GiGi New York, this unassuming manufacturing facility is home to 100 employees who painstakingly produce finely crafted and handmade leather goods — from calendar books and photo albums to designer handbags … Read more
OPEN CALL: Louis Vuitton is partnering with 32 European and American schools for the second edition of its annual Accessories Design Graduates Initiative, which offers recent graduates the opportunity to join its teams. “Louis Vuitton seeks the next generation of accessory designers — pioneers with innovative ideas in design, craftsmanship, and sustainability, creators committed to … Read more
PARIS — After being hit by a scandal over its subcontractors in Italy earlier this year, Dior is bolstering its in-house production arm. The French luxury house revealed Wednesday the creation of a new industrial department, tasked with strengthening its overall production capacity over the long term and ensuring the continuity of its knowhow. “It … Read more
European luxury brands may have painted themselves into a corner by dramatically raising prices in recent years, spooking aspirational customers — and testing the resolve of devoted clients. “In a sobered-up demand environment, price increases — and higher gross margins — are a concern for all clients. For those who have been priced out for … Read more
MILAN — The storm isn’t over yet, but there was some hope among the booths of the 126th edition of leather goods trade show Mipel, held at Rho Fiera Milano from Sept. 15 to 17. “Mipel remains a commercial attraction for over 200 brands across approximately 4,000 square meters of exhibition space, and for this … Read more
Born from a passion for craftsmanship, Atelier Madre is on a mission to redefine leather products by blending traditional techniques with contemporary design elements, creating timeless pieces that embody heritage and innovation. The inspiration behind this Barcelona-based brand, which officially launched in 2018, can be traced back to a “significant moment” in 2006. During a … Read more
LONDON — Luxury leather goods label Strathberry, a brand beloved of the Princess of Wales, has collaborated with online shopping platform Collagerie to create a capsule that highlights stripes of all sorts — in statement stitching, on silk scarves, and printed on canvas. “We’ve long been Strathberry fans. It’s a family-run, Scottish business whose designs … Read more
HIGHER LOVE: Fashion and retail maverick Rei Kawakubo — whose mindset for her latest Comme des Garçons fashion show was “anger against everything in the world, especially against myself” — is not the sort to talk about luxury, brand elevation or leather goods merchandising. And yet, later this week, the Comme des Garçons flagship store … Read more
MILAN — Organizers of Italy’s leather trade show Lineapelle expressed caution for the rest of the year as inflation, the conflict in the Red Sea and European Union regulations continue put pressure on small companies’ ability to compete on a global level. “This year opened with several shadows on the horizon, which will inevitably lead … Read more
