Hey there, fashion enthusiasts! Last week, just as I was interviewing Benjamin Chan, the designer of GRAMS(28) luxury leather goods, we stumbled upon an intriguing news story about the Stella McCartney-backed mycelium-based leather alternative called ‘Mylo’.
The back story: Bolt Threads, an American based company, had raised an astonishing total of $213 million for their innovative ‘mushroom leather’. After much hype, last week they announced that they were shutting down their production of Mylo.
Fun fact: Bolt Threads had licensed the technology to grow a mycelium material from Ecovative, a company known for its mushroom-based bacon!
Mushrooms Are Out!
Leather substitutes – eco-fad or greenwashing? Designers had rushed to jump on the mushroom bandwagon but oh boy, the quality issue! We heard stories about the material bubbling and falling apart after just a weekend of regular use. Not cool, especially for those who splurged thousands of dollars on these “sustainable” goodies.
Let’s take a step back for a sec and cut through the mushroom cloud of hype – do we even need all these alternatives? With the ongoing debate about the true environmental impact of faux leather (read more about it here) and real leather ending up in landfills, shouldn’t we focus on genuine leather products?
GRAMS(28) is the ultimate fashion statement for modern gentlemen (and women) – sleek and stylish leather bags! Embrace that leather swagger!
GRAMS(28) Luxury Leather (but sensibly priced)!
Picture this: a world of luxury goods adorned with exorbitant price tags (and Mylo mushroom faux leather handbags selling for $2,000 – cough, Stella McCartney!) yet lacking the functionality that modern fashionistas craved.
Enter a group of artisans known as GRAMS(28)! They quickly became known for their unique blend of timeless elegance and sustainable craftsmanship. Every stitch and detail woven with care, turning each piece into a genuine work of art.
Today we have the pleasure of interviewing Benjamin Chan, the visionary founder of GRAMS(28). Welcome Benjamin! Can you tell our Unhooked readers how your vision of GRAMS(28) come to life, and what made you venture into the territory of luxury leather bags?
Benjamin: Nice to meet you! GRAMS(28) was born from my own personal experience. When looking for bags to use, I was struck by this question: why were bags being sold at such exorbitantly high premiums while being impractical? GRAMS(28) is our answer.
Your creations (can we call them Man Purses?) strike the perfect chord between aesthetics, function, and quality. Can you spill the secret behind this harmony in GRAMS(28)’s designs?
Benjamin: Thank you! I think we can achieve this because we have a very purpose-focused design process. I’m sure that all creatives have their own way of working, but I like to keep in mind various elements as I go into creating a new project. Who is this product going to be for? How can we make it so this product will meet what people need? At GRAMS(28), we wish to solve problems and gaps in the market by making the perfect solution.
Who doesn’t love a good mystery? Let’s unveil the intrigue behind those mysterious codes on GRAMS(28) products! How does transparency become the key to unlocking the allure of your brand?
Benjamin: I’m glad that you noticed them! All of our products have a code, and they represent our dedication to traceability and transparency. They correspond to the product model number, material provider, material type and source location. Not only are these letters a special feature of all GRAMS(28) products, but they also show our central mission of bringing sensibly priced and high-quality goods to our customers. Transparency goes hand-in-hand with my goal of revolutionizing the luxury market – I wanted GRAMS(28)’s customers to feel satisfied with their purchase and know that it is worth their time and money.
Italy, the land of amore and artistry, plays a significant role in your high-quality leather sourcing. Share with us the romantic tale of discovering the finest materials for your creations in this fashion mecca!
Benjamin: Responsible sourcing is key to our brand. We use full-grain Italian leather because of its quality and its suitability for our products. We have used leather from several tanneries in Italy in the past and everyone that we have sourced from was carefully considered and picked. There are several factors that matter to us in our choice: the tannery’s labor policies, traceability and sustainability of the tanning process and the quality and authenticity of the leather produced. We want our customers to know what they are buying, and we are doing our best to ensure that we provide the best.
In a world full of imitations, isn’t the idea of owning something so real, so true and so natural appealing. This is how we feel at Grams(28). Owning one of our pieces translates to being part of that product’s story; something taken from its rawest form and sculpted it into something beautiful.
benjamin chan, grams(28)
All of our products have a code and they represent our dedication to traceability and transparency.
Benjamin chan, grams(28)
Sustainability is the buzzword of the era. How does GRAMS(28) turn eco-conscious dreams into a reality with its material selection and sourcing? We’re all ears for your planet-friendly secrets!
Benjamin: Our key theme is that we want to be responsible for our own products. Our products are built to last and we want them to be longtime companions for you, not sources of disposable fast fashion waste. The durability of our products reflects our dedication to fighting against the trend of buying replaceable impulse purchases. We offer a lifetime warranty for our products because of this: even when there are parts that need fixing on our products, we do our best to remedy them rather than encourage a new purchase altogether.
GRAMS(28) is all about innovation, style, and efficacy – a triple threat! Can you give us a sneak peek into manufacturing limited edition leather product?
Benjamin: For sure! Actually, one of the things that’s most difficult is cultivating a supply that meets the demand. We aren’t a large corporation and we have stringent quality standards, and with our model of releasing items in limited batches, there is always the risk that people are unable to get what they want. There have been times when we have had supply chain challenges because a product experienced an unexpected surge of interest. However, we aren’t willing to sacrifice quality for speed. We’re as transparent as possible about our inventory and preorder systems so buyers won’t have to wait, disappointed.
Lifetime Warranty
GRAMS(28)
GRAMS(28) products are constructed to the highest standards. We believe so strongly in our work that every folio and bag comes with a Lifetime guarantee. And if you ever need to return an item or arrange a repair, we’re always here to help.
How do GRAMS(28)’s products seamlessly elevate daily experiences? Please share some anecdotes of customers falling in love with the functionality of your creations!
Benjamin: One of the biggest compliments we’ve received about our 154 City Pack is that it’s many customers’ choice item for an on-flight carry-on! Even though we designed the bag to be multipurpose for travel and every day, our customers have mentioned that it’s especially great for a carryon. With a discreet passport pocket and enough space for an iPad while still being compact, it’s a convenient and stylish piece to carry.
Say ‘Yes’ to Leather! GRAMS(28) Luxury Leather, that is!
You’ve entered the competitive luxury leather goods realm – and there are many players. Tell us, what makes GRAMS(28) stand out from other leather brands?
Benjamin: We’re confident in our products’ purpose – to seamlessly blend aesthetics and functionality. It’s been said that while our bags look like regular luxury bags from the outside, they have functionality that matches everyday carry and tech bags. Our uniqueness and our dedication to wholeheartedly developing good products allows us to stand out.
What surprises are in store for GRAMS28’s customers? Any juicy hints about new products or collections we should keep an eye out for?
Benjamin: We’ve got lots of launches in store, but one thing that people should keep an eye out for is the relaunch of our bestselling backpack next year. Even though we aren’t offering them at the moment, we’ve been asked many times whether we will be bringing it back. And we will – it’ll be receiving functional upgrades as well, so we hope that you’ll be excited for it! As for the rest of the year, we have a few more exciting things lined up, all travel-oriented, ready-to-wear and convenient products.
Lastly, Benjamin, cast your charm on our fashion-forward readers! What message would you like to send them about GRAMS(28) and the benefit of owning your chic accessories?
Benjamin: GRAMS(28) is pure class, top quality and ultimate functionality in one package. What more can you ask for?
And so, the magic of GRAMS(28) continues to weave its spell, captivating their customers’ hearts and minds with their style and ingenuity. They are the true rebels of the fashion world, crafting a story of love, passion, and artistry that enchant all who cross their path.
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