Haute Maroquinerie manufacturing in France is not only perpetuated by Hermès and Louis Vuitton. Smaller players, such as Longchamp, continue to keep leather craftsmanship alive, for a more accessible luxury.
A Made in France luxury bag….The nec plus ultra.
While many fashion houses, including luxury brands, now outsource their collections abroad, Haute Maroquinerie made in France has not said its last word.
Know-how of excellence
The spectrum is broad, ranging from hard luxury, sometimes on stratospheric price scales, to soft luxury, more accessible. And while Hermès and Louis Vuitton communicate extensively about their French workshops, it’s also possible to treat yourself to more affordable, beautifully crafted models made in France, such as a Lonchamp women’s leather handbag. Founded in 1948, Lonchamp has preserved its savoir-faire while creating collections that are in tune with the times at “reasonable” prices. Even if Longchamp is also part of the closed circle of the Colbert Committee, the French luxury goods association, along with Hermès and Louis Vuitton.
For purists with sufficient means (and sometimes the necessary patience), buying a Hermès model is aguarantee of excellent French craftsmanship.
The Maison de la rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré manufactures its leather goods exclusively in its own workshops, all located in France.
For the past two decades, Hermès has been opening small-scale units of around 300 employees in various regions of France, at a rate ofaround one a year. The aim is to meet strong demand. To acquire the iconic Birkin and Kelly models, you have to be prepared to wait several months before they are manufactured. Even so, with some forty bag models, Hermès can quickly satisfy the impatient.
Click here to read the entire article on Luxus Magazine
Featured Photo: © Longchamp
