Bag Leather

[JoeS]

Hi everyone,

A good customer wants me to make a bag in the general style of a $2500 Gucci purse so he can gift it to his favorite cousin and I'm looking for leather sources. He is willing to pay for the "best" leather I can find so I'm looking at this as an opportunity to work with leather I normally would not have a chance or the resources to use. Whether I can actually make the thing remains to be seen, but I'd like to give it a shot. Here's a link to what he wants http://www.gucci.com/us/styles/263954ANG0G9907#263954ANG0G7506 I'm assuming it's chrome tanned and looks thin but my experience has been mostly veg tanned so I'm at a loss as to the feel/thickness/firmness and would like to have as much info and opinions as I can before I order something on his dime. A lot of high end bags came thru the shoe repair shop I used to work at and some of them had a real nice feel to the leather, but that's as far as my experiences are. The only source I have is Charles Hardke http://www.charleshardtke.com/ I think I saved it from a boot maker forum where they seemed to like the shrunken bull but the calfskin looks kinda nice for a smooth feel. I'm gonna call them tomorrow to see if I can get swatches but I thought I'd see if I could get some advice here first. I understand "stay" material is used as a stiffener in bags made of thin material so I was wondering if boot leather could be used. Anyway, if I could get some edumicated guesses about how this one was made or suggestions as to a thickness that would work or a good supplier it would be greatly appreciated. B.T.W. even if I had the skills and material to make an exact copy I wouldn't and have no intention of moving in on the counterfeit bag business...I have some strong opinions regarding the stuff that is currently flooding this country from "offshore" companies....I'm only looking for the way these things are made in general and with what material that gives them that higher end feel.

Thanks,

joe

[dirtclod]

All i can say is your customer sure picked a purse that is going to test your will power to keep from throwing it in the trash with all the braiding and fancy little deign dodads. Personally i like a challenge but i tell him no on that design. But best of luck on your project.

[JoeS]

Hey dirtclod....I hear ya... no way I would take this in most circumstances. He's a good customer that pretty much cuts me loose as far as design, etc. The braids I can do, the 300 or so spots, not. The main thing for me is the general construction details and the leather. Not so much that exact bag but what these high end bags have that more simple ones don't. I understand the name thing and all that, in fact part of the reason I'm asking is from Johanna's post on her kate spade kindle post about chinese junk. There's a slick construction that makes the higher end things just sort of stand nice, feel nice, etc. that sets them apart. I'll try it anyway with the advice of the seamstress from the shop I was at. Just looking for tips and opinions.

thanks,

joe

[bootsmt]

GH Leather in Texas 713-670-9800

Garlin Neuman in Mass. 603-595-6319

You could search the web under wholesale leather suppliers or something like that

Frank

Hey dirtclod....I hear ya... no way I would take this in most circumstances. He's a good customer that pretty much cuts me loose as far as design, etc. The braids I can do, the 300 or so spots, not. The main thing for me is the general construction details and the leather. Not so much that exact bag but what these high end bags have that more simple ones don't. I understand the name thing and all that, in fact part of the reason I'm asking is from Johanna's post on her kate spade kindle post about chinese junk. There's a slick construction that makes the higher end things just sort of stand nice, feel nice, etc. that sets them apart. I'll try it anyway with the advice of the seamstress from the shop I was at. Just looking for tips and opinions.

thanks,

joe

[JoeS]

Thank you sir,

I called them both and swatches are on the way.

joe