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TABLE OF CONTENTS
BRIEF HISTORY
While studying business at the University of Amsterdam, Kees identified a gap in the market for durable, stylish bags suitable for both work and leisure, especially on a student budget. This realization motivated him to launch Berliner Bags, a fashion startup specializing in leather bags. Berliner Bags aims to make slow fashion accessible to all, encouraging consumers to make environmentally-friendly choices by investing in simple yet stylish pieces that stand the test of time.
Berliner Bags' mission is to provide customers with high-quality, durable, and fashionable leather bags at a fair price. The company envisions becoming a market-leading, Berlin-associated fashion brand. Emphasizing fair business practices, Berliner Bags believes that treating everyone fairly will result in high-quality products. All bags are handmade by skilled artisans in India, designed in Berlin by an international team, and come with a 100-day return policy and a one-year warranty against defects. Their commitment to slow fashion ensures their classic designs remain timeless, promoting thoughtful and sustainable consumption.
Brand Website: berliner-bags.com
AUDIENCE & CUSTOMER'S PERSPECTIVE
How would you rate Berliner Bags as a brand?
How would you rate Berliner Bags as a brand?
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PRODUCTS REVIEWED
Vintage or Valueless? Exploring the True Value of Berliner's Boston Vintage Duffle Bag
Berliner's Boston Vintage Duffle Bag
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When a brand challenges you to rip their bag, curiosity is bound to follow. I paid $145 for the Boston Vintage Duffle from Berliner Bags, a brand based in Germany as the name suggests. To ensure authenticity in my review, I ordered this bag on Amazon U.S. to get a random one just like a regular customer would. Given the size of the bag and the all-vegetable tanned leather claims, the price seemed too good to be true. So, let’s dive into this exploration and see what we discover.
DISCLAIMER: The “Rip My Bag Challenge” is a review series that tests leather products’ quality, price, and craftsmanship. While the brand supports the challenge financially, my opinions stay fair, unbiased, and truthful. Products featured are purchased anonymously without brand involvement. Brands have no control over content, publishing dates, or the review process. You may read the full disclaimer here.
NOTE: Some of the links here are affiliate links. We might get a small commission when you choose to purchase the product through our link which will help to support our Leathertainment content and channel. But rest assured that everything written in this article is our independent review.
First Impression
Upon receiving the bag, it indeed presented a vintage look as advertised. The leather felt reminiscent of the vegetable tanned goat skins from India, and upon further inspection inside the bag, I found a tag confirming it was made in India, as I had suspected. There was a distinct smell when opening the box—not quite the earthy leather aroma I expected, but more akin to a freshly painted house, with a slightly chemical note. This was not a promising sign, but since it claimed to be vegetable-tanned leather, I decided to give it the benefit of the doubt.
The Vintage Appeal
The leather looked exceedingly vintage, almost historical. It reminded me of leathers from a hundred years ago when tanneries lacked modern machinery and advanced tanning recipes. The leather's creases and fold marks contribute to this vintage appeal, though personally, I find them less appealing. While the design choice might work for some, I believe there are better-quality vintage leathers available.
Construction and Design
The bag’s construction is impressive in certain aspects. All the edges are folded with no edge paint, which I believe will increase its durability. The piping and the folded leather edges add to the bag’s robustness. Despite being empty, the bag holds its shape very well, unlike many duffel bags that collapse when not filled—an attribute many might find desirable.
Opening the bag reveals a gusseted structure and a fully lined interior, which is a nice touch. However, I noticed some crooked stitching and backtracked needle holes. These are typical at this price point, so the craftsmanship is below medium quality.
Inside the Bag
Upon closer inspection, the bag contains a lot of support material inside, all budget-minded selections contributing to the bag's form and structure. The leather itself shows an incredibly messy flesh side, visible even on the front. There's minimal treatment in terms of recipe or chemicals, making it a budget leather, which aligns with its vintage look.
Leather Testing
To verify the leather’s quality, I applied acetone to remove any finish. Interestingly, nothing came off, suggesting a light aniline stain was used for color depth. The leather’s resistance to acetone implies it might also repel water. So, I conducted a burn test to confirm if it was truly vegetable-tanned. The leather left a rigid, charcoal-like residue, typical of vegetable-tanned leather with animal fats, which bubbled and cracked during burning. There were no green hues, indicating no chrome involvement.
Hardware Analysis
Examining the hardware, I found the plating to be very thin, with a copper layer underneath. This is indicative of budget-friendly hardware, which aligns with my expectations given the price point.
Cost Breakdown
To estimate the production cost, consider the following components: leather, labor, and hardware. The leather used in the bag is approximately 20 square feet of rudimentary goat skin, which I estimate to cost around $30. The labor required for assembly, even in India, would likely cost at least $50. The hardware, though budget-friendly, would add an additional $7 to $10 to the total cost.
Adding these figures, the total production cost comes to around $90. Given the $145 price tag on Amazon, it's puzzling how the product remains profitable. However, from a consumer standpoint, if you appreciate vintage leather and old-looking leather goods, this is a great deal. It’s genuine leather, a real bag, and offers fairly acceptable construction given the price point.
Conclusion
The Boston Vintage Duffle from Berliner offers an intriguing blend of vintage aesthetics and budget-friendly production. While it may not meet the highest standards of leather craftsmanship, it delivers a genuine leather product with a unique look. If you’re a fan of vintage leather goods and don’t mind some imperfections, this duffle might just be a perfect addition to your collection.
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