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Brand Scorecard:
★★★★☆
Leather: 4.5
Hardware: 4.5
Design: 4
Engineering: 4
Craftmanship: 4
TOTAL: 4.20
Brand Website: stowlondon.co.uk
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BRIEF HISTORY
Founded in 2013 by Carol Lovell in England, STOW initially gained recognition as a destination for luxury leather travel goods, manufacturing its products in Ubrique, Spain—a town known for its leather craftsmanship and as a hub for prestigious brands. By 2019, STOW’s timeless designs were sought globally and stocked in iconic locations like Harrods, Fortnum & Mason, and Saks, appealing to clients who valued the brand's integrity. STOW was also named a Walpole Brand of Tomorrow, reflecting its commitment to British luxury standards. From the outset, sustainability and ethical production have been central to STOW’s mission, focusing on small-batch production, avoiding fast fashion trends, and using traceable, high-quality materials.
In 2023, STOW celebrated its 10th anniversary by moving all operations to Spain, enhancing its efficiency and reducing its carbon footprint. This transition has streamlined production and allowed the brand to align closely with its manufacturing partner, enabling on-demand manufacturing and reducing surplus stock. Today, STOW continues to expand its range beyond travel accessories, integrating British design with Spanish craftsmanship, and recently launched the "BE BETTER" program—a roadmap for advancing its commitment to sustainable practices. STOW is dedicated to crafting beautiful, enduring accessories while challenging the prevalent but often superficial sustainability claims of other brands.
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: 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 as a brand?
How would you rate Stow London as a brand?
5
4
3
2
PRODUCTS REVIEWED
Leather Luxe for Less: The Stow London's Curve Bag Review
Stow London's Curve Bag
Watch the videos here:
In the world of leather bags, finding a piece that delivers top-quality materials, craftsmanship, and design for a fair price is a rare feat. However, I believe I’ve found the very best value-for-money leather bag I’ve ever reviewed on this channel. The story begins in Ubrique, Spain—a town renowned for its leather craftsmanship—where I’ve been exploring for the past month. Here, I stumbled upon a new brand that truly impressed me: Stow London.
DISCLAIMER: This is an UNSPONSORED review. I 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 Chance Encounter with Stow London
While working on a prototype for my own bag with a new production partner in Ubrique, I noticed some stylish bags on a shelf. When I inquired about them, my partner revealed that they were from his brand-in-development, Stow London. Curious, I took a closer look and immediately recognized the familiar pebbled leather known as Mozart, sourced from Curtidos Badia—a top-tier tannery whose work had already blown my mind during a visit earlier this year.
The Leather: Mozart from Curtidos Badia
Curtidos Badia is a tannery that stands out for walking the fine line between preserving the natural grain of leather and providing a refined fashion finish. The Mozart leather used in Stow London's bags is a full-grain pebbled calfskin that feels luxurious to the touch. It’s the kind of leather that high-end luxury brands covet.
Exploring the Curve Bag
Intrigued, I went on Stow London’s website and purchased "The Curve Bag." The bag’s soft silhouette and playful design immediately caught my attention. With some cleverly placed magnets, the bag can transform its look entirely, providing a flexible and smart design. I appreciated this approach, as it aligns with the direction I want to take with my own products.
Upon inspecting the bag, I found that the interior appeared to be finished with a clean suede. The craftsmanship presented no red flags, though the edge paint seemed like it could use an extra layer. Overall, it was shaping up to be a high-quality piece, but I wanted to look deeper to uncover what truly lay behind the surface.
Dissecting the Bag: What Lies Beneath
As I cut into the bag, I discovered exceptionally clean internal craftsmanship. The leather used for the bag was clearly split or possibly involved a separate piece of suede. Designing a simple yet functional bag like this is more complex than it appears; achieving this level of minimalism while retaining aesthetic and practical appeal takes time and skill.
I needed to determine whether the inner suede was indeed split from the original Mozart leather or a separate secondary leather. With another sample of Mozart leather in hand, I compared the thicknesses. The top layer measured 1.5 mm while the inner suede measured 1.1 mm, confirming that a separate suede was indeed used. This suede was an absolutely gorgeous addition, further elevating the bag's quality.
Leather, Hardware, and Design: Top Marks Across the Board
The primary leather—a pebbled Mozart calfskin—boasts a beautiful minimal finish, while the secondary leather has a more flat-grain Nappa appearance, equally stunning in quality. I tested the leather's durability, scratching it to reveal its resilience and durable coating.
The hardware is another standout feature. The crisp branding on the metal parts indicated top-level stainless steel, which I rate highly in my reviews.
This bag has a 4.20 score, making it one of the highest-rated bags I’ve reviewed.
Breaking Down the Cost: An Unmatched Value Proposition
For this review, I estimated that the Curve Bag requires about seven square feet of Mozart pebbled leather, plus an additional six to seven square feet of suede for the lining. Given that the Mozart leather costs around $9 per square foot, the leather alone amounts to roughly $85. Adding about $65 for the stainless steel hardware and labor brings the total estimated cost to $150.
The retail price of the Curve Bag was €360, or approximately $400. This results in a price multiplier of less than 3x, which is significantly lower than what you’d expect for a bag of this caliber. For comparison, luxury brands using similar materials can charge thousands of dollars for their products.
A Risky Business Model, But One That Pays Off
While pricing a high-quality bag at this level can be risky for a new brand looking to grow, it may also be necessary to establish a reputation for quality. At this price, customers are getting a bag made with materials found in the highest-end luxury brands at a fraction of the cost. Aside from the edge paint, which could use an extra layer, there’s little to criticize here.
A New Contender in the Leather World
Stow London is a brand to watch, and the Curve Bag is proof of their potential to disrupt the leather market. I’m beyond impressed that for under $400, I was able to get a bag made from top-tier materials and crafted with care. I admire the brand's design ethos, which mirrors my own aspirations for flexibility and simplicity. Moreover, the people behind Stow London—a family of artisans—bring heart and dedication to their craft, which is evident in the quality of their work.
Final Thoughts: A Refreshing Value Offering
In conclusion, the Curve Bag from Stow London stands as one of the top placements in my reviews. Its combination of exquisite leather, high-quality hardware, and thoughtful design places it at the designer level in terms of value. The bag's ability to compete with luxury brands, while being sold at a significantly lower price, makes it an exceptional find.
I look forward to sharing more about the people and processes behind this bag, as well as a deeper dive into Curtidos Badia, the tannery that supplies the leather. For now, Stow London has set a new benchmark for value in the world of leather fashion.
Scorecard
TANNER APPROVED!
★★★★☆ - 4.20
