“We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master.” ~ Ernest Hemingway
The Brand Game
As a fashionista in a consumerist world, we are all guilty of getting caught up in the labels. Prada, Gucci, Fendi, Chloë, the list goes on. I get it. In some cases, it isn’t the fact that it is the name brand as much, as it is YOU KNOW the quality of said brand. You KNOW the ins and outs and whether or not it will last for years to come. Yet, sometimes you have to look beyond the big names and look to the small businesses.
Many times- most times it is those companies where you not only find a hidden gem of quality, dedication, and products that cause people to stop and take notice, but you become a customer for life.
Which is where Cogliano Leatherworks comes in.
Cogliano Leather Works
Disclaimer: for the sake of honesty he is a good friend, but I promise, he didn’t pay me to write this review (though if he wanted to give me another bag as a thank you I wouldn’t say no for slaving over the twenty minutes it took for me to write this….just saying…) In fact if the bags really did suck, I probably wouldn’t be writing a review. I do value friendship over my writing career. But they don’t, so both my friendship and career are safe!
Yay!
Joking aside, anyone who knows me, knows how much I love to support small businesses. From my coffee habits, to my jewelry addiction, it is those independently owned companies that have won me over making me a patron for life.
Cogliano Leatherworks was founded and run by the one man team (with some really cute apprentices) of Rich Cogliano. A leather aficionado, he began looking into making bags, when a company he loved had raised their prices so astronomically, that the WHO spending habits looked cheap. Rich wanted to create something that was stylish, well made, and yet still affordable. In a world where it is all about the bottom dollar, he is someone who like any artist, wants to share his talents with people. No one need sell a kidney here!
Located in Vermont the materials he uses are all locally sourced through out New England. Buying Acadia leather from Maine, every step in the bag making process from the waxing, treatment, and hand-stitching is done personally by him, by hand. Not a single detail is missed by him. These bags really are infused with all the love and passion he has for his craft.
He not only knows his shizzle, but he has a style that markets well not just with the fashionista, but the consumer who wants a solid, sophisticated product to use every day. After all you do not want to buy something that falls apart no matter how coveted. His bags are not only well made, he also has a warranty that surpasses the years Titanic has been sunk! Score! It is great to know a seller stands behind his product and Cogliano Leatherworks DOES.
The Every Day Tote
I started coveting his totes after I stopped at his studio one day this past Winter. Made from a variety of full grain colored leathers, no two totes are exactly the same. With a built in pocket, suited for an iPad, they are the perfect every day bag. You can literally fit your whole kitchen sink in it and it will not break. Believe me I have already tried!
As a bridesmaid’s gift, each of us was given a Cogliano Leatherworks tote bag and I admit I might have fanned girled when I saw it. Coveting no more because I now own one! Working with our favorite colors, he had made a beautiful cerulean blue tote in his signature style for me. It really was perfect.
But it doesn’t stop there. He doesn’t just make totes, but coffee sleeves, travel cases, iPad covers and more. If your heart can dream it and you ask him, he will create it. Okay that was a really corny tag line….Sorry Rich.
Perfect Gifts
Corny tagline aside, with Father’s Day right around the corner, his leather products make the perfect gifts, customizable, unique, and at a reasonable price.
If you want to check out his work and you know you do! Check out the company’s Instagram as well as his Etsy Page. You might even see someone you recognize in the pictures.
I absolutely love the color ! I never had a bag that wasn’t a classic color like black or camel before, but this bag makes want to try new things ! 😀
Thank you! I am obsessed! It is my favorite color! I was the same way for the longest time (I am a firm believer in versatility) but even color can be pretty versatile like a blue or pale pink 🙂 You definitely should! Thanks so much for reading hope you have an amazing week! <3
Omg yes pale pink could be amazing too !! Thank you, hope you have a great week too ! 💖
Thank you so much for a great review of my bags! I am so happy you love it
Rich
Awe thank YOU for making such great products! <3
Pshhh brand names, who even has money for those these days (although, I do love my girl Kate Spade… but only on BIG sales) But seriously these are so cute and the perfect size to carry my life around….not to mention yes, I’d love to keep my kidney too! I loveee that your friend gave the bags out as the bridesmaid gifts thats actually such a great idea. Your friend is amazingly talented I have the links loaded for when I finish writing this comment 🙂
xo, JJ
Right? Though I do agree with you about KS (I mean we have the same name AND initials I have to obsessed!) and for the sake of honesty I might have a slight obsession with my girl Tory Burch. 😉 Hehe
They are sooo durable and sweets I love that you carry your life around too! Haha
It was such a great idea and surprise. Thank you! Definitely and most of his products are made to order and completely customizable. All the bags we got while, the same style were all unique which I love! <3