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Brand Scorecard:
★★★★☆
Leather: 4.5
Hardware: 5
Design: 4.5
Engineering: 3.5
Craftmanship: 4
TOTAL: 4.30
Brand Website: paris64.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BRIEF HISTORY
​PARIS/64 is a Spanish fashion brand specializing in handcrafted bags, shoes, and clothing that blend traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design. Founded in 2017 by José Alabé and MarÃa Gaudes, the company is headquartered in Zaragoza, Spain. Their products are responsibly manufactured using quality leather and fabrics, aiming to offer timeless pieces with a retro vintage Parisian touch. ​
To ensure fair and sustainable production, PARIS/64 operates its own factory in Spain, paying meticulous attention to detail and striving for the highest quality in every item. This commitment to ethical manufacturing practices reflects the brand's dedication to sustainability and excellence.
FIVE PILLARS OF A GOOD LEATHERCRAFT
READING MY ASSESSMENT SCORES
LEATHERVERSE MATRIX
The Leatherverse Brand Matrix visually compares leather brands based on sophistication and pricing, helping consumers understand their market positioning.
Legend
Vertical Axis:Â Ranges from simple artisan crafts to exclusive, master-crafted items.
Horizontal Axis: Covers pricing from low (no brand premium) to high (perceived luxury), with 2x multipliers for basic products and up to 15x for heavily marketed luxury items.
Diagonal Line: Represents the balance between price and performance. Brands on the line offer good value, those below suggest poor value, and those above offer exceptional value.
AUDIENCE & CUSTOMER'S PERSPECTIVE
Based on these criteria, how would you rate Paris 64 as a brand?
How would you rate Paris 64 as a brand?
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PRODUCTS REVIEWED
Paris 64 is Redefining Affordable Luxury—But Is It the Real Deal?
Paris 64's Manhattan Cuero
Watch the videos here:
When it comes to luxury handbags, price tags don’t always equal quality. So when I got my hands on the Paris 64 Manhattan Tote, I had one burning question: Is this €400 bag worth your money, or are you better off investing elsewhere?
At first glance, this tote had all the makings of a high-end leather bag—smooth, tumbled calfskin, elegant structure, and a striking woven handle detail. But as we all know, the devil is in the details. So, I dissected it, piece by piece, to see if Paris 64 is a brand to watch or one to pass on.
DISCLAIMER: This is an UNSPONSORED review. I purchased all of these products myself and am not affiliated with the brand mentioned in any way. All statements and expressions made about the products are solely the opinion of Tanner Leatherstein and are not meant to be conclusive or definitive. The purpose of this video is for informational and educational purposes only. We recommend that as a consumer, you exercise your due diligence and research on the products before adopting the opinion of Tanner Leatherstein.
A Design That Turns Heads
The first thing that stands out about the Paris 64 Manhattan Tote is its soft yet structured silhouette. It’s not a stiff, rigid bag, but it holds its shape just enough to feel polished. The weave-through handles are a particularly beautiful design element, adding a sculptural curve to the top that sets it apart from your typical tote. It’s clear that the designers put real thought into balancing elegance and functionality.
The wide opening is another win. So many totes suffer from narrow, restrictive openings that make digging for your essentials a nightmare. But this one is designed for easy access, making it a practical choice for everyday use. Even the custom fabric lining feels high-end—soft to the touch and well-integrated into the overall design. From an aesthetic standpoint, this bag earns 4.5/5.
A Closer Look at the Construction
While the design shines, the craftsmanship tells a slightly different story. The edge paint, for example, could use some refinement. There are visible layers, slight bubbling, and unevenness, which suggests that the finishing process wasn’t as meticulous as it could have been. It’s a small detail, but one that matters when evaluating a bag at this price point. For craftsmanship, this bag gets a 4/5.
Structurally, the bag is semi-structured, meaning it doesn’t have a heavily reinforced frame. The only reinforcement is at the bottom, which helps maintain shape but doesn’t provide much additional support. Inside, I noticed some alignment inconsistencies—one side of the interior is almost perfectly reinforced, while the other side feels slightly off. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it does suggest a bit of rushing in the production process.
Then there’s the reinforcement material itself—cardboard. While this is a cost-effective and common choice, it’s not the most durable or premium option. Higher-end bags typically use leather or higher-grade synthetic reinforcements, so this choice leans more toward practicality than luxury. Given these details, the Structure earns a 3.5/5 rating.
The Hardware That Steals the Show
If there’s one thing that truly elevates this bag, it’s the hardware. Paris 64 has gone above and beyond by customizing every single metal component—from the feet to the snaps and even the key signature hardware. The quality of the metal is outstanding, sitting at the highest end of the spectrum for bag hardware.
This level of attention to detail is rare, especially at this price point. Many brands cut costs by using generic or mixed-quality hardware, but Paris 64 has maintained consistency and luxury across every piece. The result? A bag that doesn’t just look expensive—it feels expensive in your hands. For this reason, the hardware easily earns a perfect 5/5 rating.
Leather That Speaks for Itself
To test the leather quality, I applied acetone to a sample of the bag’s material. The result? Minimal finish, confirming that this is true full-grain calfskin with little to no synthetic coating. That’s a fantastic sign because it means the leather will age beautifully over time, developing a unique patina rather than peeling or cracking like lower-quality alternatives.
The leather itself is soft, supple, and luxurious. It has just enough structure to maintain its form, but it also has a natural flexibility that makes it feel high-end. For a €400 bag, this is impressive. Paris 64 clearly prioritized premium leather selection, and it pays off.
Because of its high-quality material and natural aging potential, the leather earns a well-deserved 4.5/5 rating.
Breaking Down the Cost
Now, let’s talk numbers. How much does it actually cost to make this bag? Based on my estimates, the Manhattan Tote requires around 12 square feet of full-grain calfskin, which would cost approximately $55 in raw materials. Given the quality of the hardware and the fact that this bag is made in Spain, I estimate that assembly costs around $115.
That brings the total estimated production cost to about $170 (€160). Paris 64 prices the bag at €400, which means they’re working with a multiplier of just over 2x. That’s an incredibly fair markup—almost too fair. Many luxury brands operate on 5x or even 10x markups, so Paris 64 is offering a surprisingly good value. However, such low margins can be risky for a brand’s long-term sustainability, especially if they want to continue producing high-quality products at this price point.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy It?
So, is the Paris 64 Manhattan Tote worth your €400?
It delivers outstanding leather quality, a beautiful design, and exceptional hardware, all at a price that feels shockingly fair in today’s luxury market. However, the edge finishing and some aspects of the interior craftsmanship could be improved. If you’re someone who values attention to every small detail, you may notice these minor flaws.
That said, for the price, this bag is an incredible find. It holds its own against bags that cost double or even triple, making it a great option for those who want luxury-level materials without paying luxury-brand markups. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on Paris 64, and I look forward to seeing what they come up with next.
What do you think? Would you add the Manhattan Tote to your collection? Let me know your thoughts!
Scorecard
TANNER APPROVED!
★★★★☆ - 4.30
