I know, fashion term in a woodworking forum, but hang in there, I’ll connect the dots.
I was watching a PBS special on Haute Couteur and they described how these are special pieces, made one at a time by skilled artisans and lamenting the woes of how no one appreciates or is willing to pay for top quality anymore, people just want mass-produced throwaway junk. These pieces of clothing, while they apparently last a lifetime, cost much money and so that means only the very rich can afford them anymore.
Interest has gone down so much that the trade has shrunk significantly and its artisans are in danger of dissapearing.
I just could not help but see the striking similarity of dissapointment in me and others with regard to woodworking.
Replies
Jeffrey,
This may be a timeless complaint... I'm sure some 18th century Federalist craftsman had the same observation in his time. Yet through every generation and period we are left with the best of an era that end up becoming what is studied centuries later. I agree that far more people won't pay for quality than will, but markets are far more complex than this binary description would suggest.
Specifically with regard to fashion, the fact remains that luxury goods in fashion and lifestyle categories are on a tear with year over year record sales, so clearly someone is paying for it. Haute couture is actually a regulated monopoly in France with 18 members in the syndicate generating over USD$1 billion a year. Having said that, couture is still a very small niche in terms of number of customers... very few people in the world can afford $40,000 for a dress.
jeffery,
There was an article in this past Sunday's Washington Post about shoe makers/repairmen in the same pickle. Why buy or repair your shoes when you can get new knockoffs or replacements at Payless for , well, less?
My old pennyloafers (yes, pennyloafers, with pennies in the slots) have been resoled so many times, they'll soon be back in style!
Ray
Ray,
My old pennyloafers .
Wow you are older than I thought! Just so's ya won't feel too bad, I still have my 14 lb. IBM wing tips! Makes me think of frou frou on shoes!
Oh yeah, almost forgot. They got them metal taps on da heals too. You otta see the teeny boppers heads turn when I strut down the sidewalk with 'em on!
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Edited 7/30/2007 8:33 am ET by KiddervilleAcres
Edited 7/30/2007 8:35 am ET by KiddervilleAcres
Bob,
My wingtips are my wedding and funeral (is there a difference?) shoes. They have heel taps too.
Ray
What!?, penny loafers went out of style? When did that happen? I must have missed it. I've been wearing the same pairs(s) of loafers for at least the last decade. One pair black, the other pair brown; resoled multiple times, still going, in better shape than the feet they're on
Edited 7/30/2007 11:29 am ET by Quickstep
It was probably 30 years ago that I took on my first woodworking job for money. The "customer" wanted a design he had seen a Ikea or some such place, only in a custom size and in walnut. He couldn't understand why I wanted to charge more than the Ikea price. It was a learning experience. I learned that you have to put in your best effort even when you know you're going to take a bath. I also learned that I wan't cut out to do this profesionally. I applaud and respect all of those who do.
I’m not sure that industry is in real danger of going under. I have all my suits and shirts custom made and feel they are a real value. They fit perfectly and last forever, like daddy always said, “Buy the best, only cry once”. My tailor is very busy too; he has all the work he can handle.
I can't say I agree with you, Jeffrey. In my time in the business, I have seen a steady growth in the complexity of woodworking. 20 years ago you rarely saw fancy hardwood floors, arched windows, libraries, complicated roofs, elaborate kitchens and baths. These are in average homes now. Todays carpenters face much more challenging projects. The retail prices of better quality furniture are on a par with some custom built pieces. There are many more customers that appreciate the finer things and more that are willing to pay for them.
Fashion is different, at least in the USA. Folks dress much more casually but that doesn't mean the lady walking in front of you isn't carrying a $3000 hand bag, despite wearing jeans and a T-shirt. The market for ball gowns may be limited to the Hollywood set and they may only wear them once but there is no lack of conspicuous spending in the general population. You just have to know what the current trends are.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
I don't know. Look style is great for those who care about style. For those who don't a cheap shirt/suit/dress is good enough. Normal people never could afford high fashion - its a rich person's game - and it great that normal people can afford stuff, even though the quality of stuff made in Bangladesh isn't that great (a lot isn't so bad). I had a tailored suit made. I thought it was made by the tailor here. It was made in the far east based on measurements a 'tailor' took in his shop. Good enough suit, but a waste of money, like all suits are.
Now, with respect to furniture, most people will never be able to afford good quality, hand made furniture, but they can afford Ikea. Should somebody borrow $30K to get a good quality bedroom set? I don't know.
So ultimately, we have craftsmen who deserve to be paid well which puts their furniture out of reach for the overwhelming majority of people. In the old days, many craftsmen weren't well paid, and had virtual (and in some cases actual) slaves working for them.
Artists and artisans always lament that they are undervalued. Maybe they are, but most people prefer (and can only afford) cheap stuff.
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