This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on April 25, 2016.

HERITAGE, legacy and craftsmanship are the three words that are intrinsic to Braun Büffel as a brand. With a heritage that goes back 129 years, the German brand has become well-known as a top-quality leather goods and accessories producer, noted for its design and elegance. Braun Büffel currently has 22 boutiques across Malaysia and is in the midst of opening more this year.

Founded by Johann Braun in Kirn, Germany, the brand has continued to represent his vision and philosophies of crafting leather bags and accessories. The rich portfolio of leather bags and accessories have shown that as a brand, Braun Büffel has managed to move with the times while still retaining its original quality and appeal.

The recently held Braun Büffel leather atelier event gave members of the media and loyal customers of the brand a chance to discover their world of concept and craftsmanship. The event, which took place between April 13 and 17 at the brand’s boutique in Sunway Pyramid Shopping Centre, demonstrated the fine art of German craftsmanship with Manfred Goll, the master craftsman who has been the head of Braun Büffel’s production team since 1987.

As head of the production team, Goll has been responsible for all material orders, from leather right up to the metal parts for the hardware. He is a regular visitor of international leather fairs to discover and scout for new trends and ideas for the upcoming seasonal collections. With decades of experience under his belt, Goll perfectly understands the importance of details, precision and concept when it comes to leather craftsmanship.

The four-day event showcased the art of making leather products with members of the media, public and loyal customers. Under the guidance of Goll, participants of the atelier were given the chance to experience what it is like to be a leather craftsman, and were given the task to craft a leather passport holder and call it their own.

Cutting, stitching and measuring, and then crafting a leather passport holder is much harder than it looks. Goll’s precision and eye for detail when demonstrating the process was definitely an eye-opening experience for all attending. The event gave Braun Büffel the opportunity to bridge the gap between the brand and its customers by giving them first-hand experience on how to make leather products. Certainly, the event inspired a new-found appreciation for leather products and design.  

The leather atelier event also included a programme called Nurturing Young Craftsmen, which aimed to introduce young children to the art of leather-making. By giving them exposure to this fine craft, it will further encourage young children to pursue something that is both innovative and far from the norm.

This eye-opening event has given Braun Büffel customers the chance to understand the intricacies of leather craftsmanship that runs deeper than the surface. Based on the positive and encouraging response from participants, there is no doubt that Braun Büffel will continue to be a popular brand of leather products and accessories in Malaysia, and in all its other markets too.