How Much Do Leathercrafts Man Get Paid?

[DavidL]

Hermes?

Dunhill?

Louis vuitton?

or any other brand in brazil, Japan, italy, North America, Mexico, france.

1.Requirements? Schooling (how many years?)

2.Paid an average salary per year?Or paid a percentage of every piece?

3.Hours a week?

[DoubleC]

Well I imagine that the employees of those companies get paid an average salary because they are big companies. I doubt any of them have any schooling, just trained on site for whatever job they are going to do.....sew, put in zippers, attach straps. I think it's like a factory and they work a regular 40 hour work week. I'm sorry I can't be more help, this is just what I think. I would visit some of their sites and look at the 'job opportunities' on the sites. Cheryl

[DavidL]

Well I imagine that the employees of those companies get paid an average salary because they are big companies. I doubt any of them have any schooling, just trained on site for whatever job they are going to do.....sew, put in zippers, attach straps. I think it's like a factory and they work a regular 40 hour work week. I'm sorry I can't be more help, this is just what I think. I would visit some of their sites and look at the 'job opportunities' on the sites. Cheryl

Id also like to be able to check out hermes too, maybe il tell them i want a crocodile bag with diamonds on it they will let me take a look around first .

I know hermes has a mandatory 2 year schooling that cost 20k+ euros then an apprenticeship if they are chosen.

Could be an option for me to work In America hand stitching shoes first than take a 1-2 years in other countries.

Would love to hear input if anyone has some insight.

[DoubleC]

Hi David. I'm sorry I didn't know that about Hermes. I wonder where the school is here in the USA. I've never heard about a lw school. Or do you mean just 2 years of college for an AA degree? Cheryl

[DavidL]

two years of training at a leather working specialized school in france, where workers learn the basic of the craft, graduating with the knowledge of hand stitching veg, bridle, chrome, box, ect and learn every type of stitching and every trick of the trade. Workers from this school go out to LV, hermes and other big name companies that need these sort of skilled workers.

There is no official school in USA but a former hermes worker opened up a school in SF. You can learn the trade the same way it is taught in france at around 14 grand for a single year course. Im thinking of taking this course but only after I start my leather studio up and make some revenue and want to expand. They offer a half course as well that stops short at luggage cases, and more advanced type projects and doesnt teach machine sewing for under 7 grand. around 10k to learn advanced projects, 14k for machine sewing.

Im curious to find out how much a hermes worker makes a year. My guess is 100k euros a year. This type of information they don't disclose though.

[Hi Im Joe]

14K a year is absolutely insane. Just my personal opinion. But no way in hell would I pay that.

[cjmt]

two years of training at a leather working specialized school in france, where workers learn the basic of the craft, graduating with the knowledge of hand stitching veg, bridle, chrome, box, ect and learn every type of stitching and every trick of the trade. Workers from this school go out to LV, hermes and other big name companies that need these sort of skilled workers.

There is no official school in USA but a former hermes worker opened up a school in SF. You can learn the trade the same way it is taught in france at around 14 grand for a single year course. Im thinking of taking this course but only after I start my leather studio up and make some revenue and want to expand. They offer a half course as well that stops short at luggage cases, and more advanced type projects and doesnt teach machine sewing for under 7 grand. around 10k to learn advanced projects, 14k for machine sewing.

Im curious to find out how much a hermes worker makes a year. My guess is 100k euros a year. This type of information they don't disclose though.

There's no way at all an average Hermes craftsman is on 100k a year. These are not charities, you don't need to pay that kind of money so they won't do.

[DavidL]

really expensive for sure. But the upside its only one year long course and you don't have to otherwise pay for an expensive flight and stay in France or wherever you take your apprenticeship.Only legitimate school for fine leather goods like wallets, purses, luggage bags in USA. You can end up working at hermes overseas or start your own business like peter nitz did. If you aren't in it to start a career then I agree its too much. A degree is rewarded too.

In Singapore where I'm visiting now there a craftsman who makes in the 6 figures and struggles to keep up with production making exotic watch straps (self taught). Another guy I was talking to earlier today briefly owns a small workshop in Singapore, including an upstairs portion where classes are taught. He makes a good living as well, also self taught, worked with timberland and other big labels for small collaborations. So apprenticeship isn't a must.

[DavidL]

There's no way at all an average Hermes craftsman is on 100k a year. These are not charities, you don't need to pay that kind of money so they won't do.

I think your right. The amount they make for the company isn't way great than 100k.

Their bags are 5k-40k, the grands craftsman the one who checks every piece of work probably makes 100k euros. Maybe 40k euro starting and more as you work on more expensive purses or wallets.

How many purses do think one worker can make in a whole year? 40 hours was a quote from a video by hermes, now they do most of the stitching with machine and the rest is hand sewn on the handles and smaller parts, so it could be less.

[FlHobbyist]

14K a year is absolutely insane. Just my personal opinion. But no way in hell would I pay that.

I agree with your sentiment, but that is the going rate for college nowadays. The old days wherein you could work and earn enough to go to college are gone at the moment, and it is megabucks and debt for an education now.

[Hi Im Joe]

I agree with your sentiment, but that is the going rate for college nowadays. The old days wherein you could work and earn enough to go to college are gone at the moment, and it is megabucks and debt for an education now.

Sure but I could go to a accredited state school for that and come out with a degree that could get me a job at hundreds of companies instead of 3 or 4....The odds of getting a job at Hermes or Dunhill etc...is probably about the odds of becoming a professional soccer player.

They just don't have a ton of spots. And once you get in you probably stay for a long time...

I'm not trying to be pessimistic about it. I'm all for chasing your dream and trying to make a living at doing something you love. You just have to be realistic about it as well.

[camano ridge]

Here is an excerpt from Fashion 101 on Hermes leather craftsman.

Hermès does not hire just anyone to work in the ateliers. Most of the artisans come from a school in Paris called the École Grégoire-Ferrandi, which specialises in saddle-making and other traditional leather skills. Students are deliberately assigned the toughest leather–box calf, which is hard and easily scratched. They train on the saddle stitch, which is used on all Hermès bags, and must maintain good posture while working. The course can last 18 months. If they are hired by Hermès, they spend up to two years in one of the company’s own schools, working on small leather pieces like watch straps and handles. They may also learn to cut skins. After working on these smaller pieces, the artisan can begin on the bag itself, but must have solid experience (up to five years) before they can work with crocodile skin.

Hermès’s primary atelier is in Pantin, a suburb in Paris, where more than 300 workers are spread over 15 workshops. The artisans wear white coats and aprons, and some of them listen to their iPods while they work, but the room is completely silent except for the occasional bang of a hammer or buzzing machinery.

Although wages for a leather worker at Hermes might be above average i doubt that they would be in 100k euro. Average monthly wage is $4,500, Executive/management is 7,000.

http://www.salaryexplorer.com/salary-survey.php?loc=74&loctype=1

Edited July 16, 2014 by camano ridge

[DavidL]

Wow. I would of thought it would be 65k euros starting at minimum. Makes a lot of sense because it takes a long time to produce the end product.

Sure but I could go to a accredited state school for that and come out with a degree that could get me a job at hundreds of companies instead of 3 or 4....The odds of getting a job at Hermes or Dunhill etc...is probably about the odds of becoming a professional soccer player.

They just don't have a ton of spots. And once you get in you probably stay for a long time...

I'm not trying to be pessimistic about it. I'm all for chasing your dream and trying to make a living at doing something you love. You just have to be realistic about it as well.

very fair. That course would be beneficial to someone wanting to start a one man business, given they have the marketing skills for that task. Im going to send an email when I get a chance to find out where the graduated craftsmen find jobs or started their own business.

[Hi Im Joe]

Wow. I would of thought it would be 65k euros starting at minimum. Makes a lot of sense because it takes a long time to produce the end product.

very fair. That course would be beneficial to someone wanting to start a one man business, given they have the marketing skills for that task. Im going to send an email when I get a chance to find out where the graduated craftsmen find jobs or started their own business.

Yeah...although it is somewhat unrealistic...I encourage you to go for it. I have a very steady, very boring job that pays well but I basically hate. This works well for me because I have a family. If I was single there is no way in a million years I would continue to work the job I am in.

I believe that although money is important, if you have enough to support yourself that is all you need. Go and do what you love even if it does not provide you with wealth. It will satisfy you in more important ways.

[cjmt]

I think your right. The amount they make for the company isn't way great than 100k.

Their bags are 5k-40k, the grands craftsman the one who checks every piece of work probably makes 100k euros. Maybe 40k euro starting and more as you work on more expensive purses or wallets.

How many purses do think one worker can make in a whole year? 40 hours was a quote from a video by hermes, now they do most of the stitching with machine and the rest is hand sewn on the handles and smaller parts, so it could be less.

In Singapore where I'm visiting now there a craftsman who makes in the 6 figures and struggles to keep up with production making exotic watch straps (self taught). Another guy I was talking to earlier today briefly owns a small workshop in Singapore, including an upstairs portion where classes are taught. He makes a good living as well, also self taught, worked with timberland and other big labels for small collaborations. So apprenticeship isn't a must.

Its definitey possible to earn 100k in the luxury goods industry, but it will most likely be in management. H, LV etc will have the pick of the craftspeople but people actively want to work for them, conditions are excellent, pensions, working environment, job security etc etc are all way above average for a creative job. As a result they simply dont need to pay huge amounts of money to get the people they need, in fact they are queing out of the door I imagine. Id be surprised if they start on more than 25K to be honest, 30k at the most. They may well pay people with skills they need more but they exist to make money for their shareholders not their staff.

Peter Nitz, your friend etc earn good money because they are talented at business and their own craft and they have taken huge risks and invested a lot of money. If you want the money you have to take the (big) risks that go with it. One of those risks might be gambling on getting a good education and/or not earning much for some years learning your trade with a good employer before setting up by yourself. Its a much more likely route to success that going it alone, but you pay a price in that it takes time.

[J Hayes]

14K a year is absolutely insane. Just my personal opinion. But no way in hell would I pay that.

Yeah it is crazy, what sucks is that's the going rate. Plus if you go to college you get to pay that 4 times and take a bunch of classes that are just there for the school to make money. I know way to many people with 4 or 6 year degrees that are not using them or cannot find work in that field. In 1998 I went to school for goldsmithing, one guy teaching and an assistant or 2, 8 hours a day and no BS classes, cost 16 years ago $1000.00 per month. Hey guess whay though, I still learn stuff every day :-) but that money was well spent I feel. I have 2 children, 5&8, I'm truly frightened to know what college will cost in 10 years and how worthless that education may be. I will certainly try to pass everything I know on to them .

I've had 3 or more college educated people apply in the goldshop, people with 4 years of schooling to do what I do and unfortunately I believe they all wasted their money and the schools did not prepare them one bit to work in my field, it actually makes me sad to see them misled like that.......so if that 14k for a year or the 7k for a half truly prepares them gor being able to actually do everyday work its really not that bad, at least its over with fast and you can start paying it of 3-5 years sooner! :-)

Jeremy

Sorry for the rant

Jeremy

Edited July 16, 2014 by J Hayes

[DavidL]

Found out that 40 percent of my education dollars goes straight into street entertainment, free food vendors, promotions, live events, as my university is right in the middle of downtown. This was told in an assembly by one of the faculty staff while explaining how great our program is. Felt like I was spending money for grade 13. Probably, not too far off.

Decided I wanted to take a year off. I had to take the rounds and get signatures. Same guy that boasted about how my education dollars was being spent wisely on street entertainment, went on for 10 minutes stealing almost the same dialogue from a TED TALK on youtube trying to pass it off like he made it up.

Also went on subtly saying how i messed up someones life since that guy could of been enrolled instead of me, taking my spot. Which has nothing to do with me since I wasn't going to stay so why lecture me about something that isn't in my control. Also said I wasn't paying the school money since my spot can't be filled if I left, which makes millions. Should of known since my specific school building was named after a company brand name.

Wasted time, effort and money. Some university courses and college courses are great, but others are just there so people can fit in seats, pay school fees and say at least I got a degree in ___.

Also told on an assignment where we got to visit a place we could potentially work, that basically his industry over the last 10 years has decreased by 50 percent. Still were opportunities for jobs, but schooling isn't direct enough and like jeremy said is starting to be misleading. Trend now for people to start going back and doing jobs like plumbing, building, mechanic, police, ect. Much more entrepreneurs and small business owners in fields like leather working.

Also,

Sorry for the rant.

[BAD HIDE]

Agreed with some people on here, I doubt you'd be starting out above 25k at those places, and topping out at maybe 70k. Maybe a few of their grand masters and department heads make it up to 100k, but that's insanely high for hands-on employees. If you want to make money, become an executive and never get your hands dirty. I don't know why people are bashing the 14k lw school. If I was younger and hadn't taught myself as much as I have, I'd seriously consider it. You're learning a trade and have an a degree from a rare institution that certain employers can trust.

My question is why would you want to work for them? Job security, benefits, and not having to deal with the ugly parts of business. But you'll be just another cog in the machine making money for someone else. Working by yourself, or starting up a small firm is very risky, and you'll have to vertically integrate yourself. Design, accounting, sales, marketing, and distribution are all hats you'll have to put on alongside manufacturing to make it work. But if you're good enough, the gains are all yours to make.

My whole business philosophy is taking the luxury out of leather and providing everyone quality items that don't suck. Hermes, LV, and others make amazing stuff, but it's all out of reach for the average consumer that would actually use it, and most of the people buying it are buying a status symbol, not a functional object. People don't need $1000 for one of my bags, it's not going to be wallyworld cheap, but it's not going to be a something you're going to feel bad about using daily. I don't obsess over design perfection, obtaining the best leathers money can buy, or painstakingly go over every stitch. It's not garbage or a homemade aesthetic, but instead of pleasing the social butterflies, I like to take on the plastic and nylon culture with some old world leather and canvas badassery.

[rlpullman]

Spend the 14 grand to learn a trade, then go to work for someone else? I guarantee you will be sick and tired of doing it in just a few short years. I have worked in many manufacturing jobs, and beleive me that is what they are doing. Manufacturing.