Re: Carmen Sofa questions
Well, it's a business at H&M, they produce what people will buy. And in this business, it's largely price-driven. For example on a Carmen Sofa, the one you are looking at - there is a $ 4,464 price difference (at my prices) between a Grade 1 and Grade 7 leather (Carver) and nothing else on the piece changes. Cow hide is cow hide, one cow won't have a longer lasting skin than another, really, so you are paying for refinement, texture, hand, etc. So that's why GR 1 leathers outsell the nicer pure anilines day in and day out. Is it worth it? To some yes, to other no. Myself, being in the industry and appreciating fine leathers, its a safe bet what I buy for my own home you can probably guess, I don't bring home GR 1 leathers because to me the better hides are worth the extra cost.
Comparisons....for example
A Rolex Stainless steel Daytona watch is typically $ 13,000. The solid gold one is $ 42,000. The Platinum one $ 85,000, The movements are identical, the only difference is the metal used in the watch and dial colors. What do they sell the most of? The Stainless Steel models.
Wines. You can buy a decent Cabernet Sauvignon for $ 18 to $ 20 that is perfectly drinkable. But a nice bottle is $ 50 to $ 60 and if you enjoy wine, you can tell the difference. Then there are the boutiques that are $ 100 to $ 180 a bottle (and some way beyond that, but then you are just showing off). Are those $ 100 + wines worth it? Maybe, to some. They are generally exceptional, but only to those that know fine wines.
Don't even get me started on Chanel handbags....lol....because not even I can see why a Birken costs what it does ![Smile](images/smilies/smile.png)
Antelope comes out of the same tannery as Capri, too! and that is a finished (painted) leather with the paint applied very thinly to keep the hand good on the hide.
There are different methods to fold wax into a hide, the most exotic being the vacuum method I am told. I have not done any tannery tours since they are in Europe, but I'd like to see the different methods in person.
Last edited by drcollie; 06-30-2023 at 08:38 AM.
Duane Collie
Straight answers from thirty-six years in the business.
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