I have just recently come across an article that was written way back in June of 2007 by By Joe Brancatelli  –  Business Travel Columnist, of the Business Journal.  What was written about in this article and most of what he says still holds true today so I would love to share what Joe Brancatelli had to say about our briefcase then. This article was originally posted here.

He says:

“Before I agreed to plunk myself down in seat 2B, I went to the Condé Nast Portfolio offices in April for a meet and greet with my prospective editor. “What a great briefcase!” she said as I tossed my tan leather briefcase on the sofa.

I get that reaction a lot. People come up to me at airports and inquire about the provenance of my Glaser Designs garment bag, a distinctive combination of brown milled leather, black ballistic nylon, and brass fittings. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve given out Glaser Designs’ telephone number to a seatmate who lusted after my carry-on, which features supple walnut leather and a clever internal design.

What’s most amazing is this: I haven’t bought a Glaser bag since before 9/11. My garment bags are 15 years old. Ditto for a duffel I use on weekend trips. My carry-on and briefcase are both at least seven years old. They take a ton of wear and tear yet look as if they just left Glaser’s San Francisco studio.

In an era of disposable $99 bags, famous luggage brand names slapped on mediocre imported products, and insane prices for designer luggage, Glaser Designs stands apart. Myron Glaser and his wife, Kari, finish everything by hand, as they have for 32 years. Every bag or suitcase reflects the particular needs and specifications of the buyer. The Glasers mix their own pharmaceutical-grade waxes and oils and finish all of the leathers themselves. They edge all their bags by hand so that the seams disappear. They lavish attention on the design of the shoulder straps, the handles, the internal lining, and even the little leather identification tags.

Yet the bags are inexpensive by artisanal standards—as little as $700 for a leather-and-fabric garment bag and less than $1,000 for a leather carry-on. (Glaser only sells direct to customers because he doesn’t want a retail markup to inflate prices.) Even luggage made with hand-burnished, hand-grained calfskin or exotic-animal hide sells for a fraction of what some travelers pay for mass-produced designer bags.

But Glaser’s products aren’t easy to score. He and his team of six can only produce about a thousand bags a year.

“It’s the handwork involved, and every single bag is customized,” Glaser says, explaining the relatively low luggage output. “When you’re making something that is going to last 15 or 20 years and is a reflection of the person buying it, it takes a long time to make it properly.”

Because the process is personalized, getting a bag made also requires a time investment from the customer. Although Glaser maintains a modest website, most of his customers call and speak directly with Glaser or his wife, who will conduct a sort of interview to determine their needs.

Want a garment bag or other piece of luggage? Before he makes a recommendation, Glaser will quiz you about your travel patterns, clothing preferences, and body size. The information helps Glaser and his team craft a bag into which your garments are virtually guaranteed to fit, and come out wrinkle-free.

Want a briefcase, tote, or carry-on bag? Glaser wants to know what you carry, how much paper you pack, what size laptop you use, and which other electronics you prefer. He’s designed a series of inserts to organize and store virtually anything you carry, and the more he knows about your habits, the better he can plan your bag’s construction.

“We’re making special things for people with special needs,” Glaser says. No two people work or travel in exactly the same way, so there are no one-size-fits-all solutions. “It’s not just about the quality of the leathers and the quality of the workmanship. It’s about the travel strategies and tactics of the people who carry the bags,” he adds.

Case in point: When I needed a new carry-on bag eight years ago, I scheduled an appointment with Glaser during a business trip to San Francisco. Out of my frustration over fumbling with zippers at airport security checkpoints came a Glaser solution: a quick-close tab that allows me to secure the contents of my carry-on without zipping it up. A year or so later, when I switched laptops, Glaser created a special insert for it in my carry-on bag.

In fact, there’s just one thing you can’t get from Glaser Designs: wheels. His team doesn’t make rolling bags, Glaser says, because he has never found a cart that meets his exacting standards.

“We specialize in functional things that are made well and last for years,” he explains. “That wouldn’t be the case if we put a bag on a rolling cart.”

The Fine Print

Travelers have faced a new challenge since the Transportation Security Administration ruled last year that all carry-on liquids and gels must be packed in a clear, one-quart bag. This means we’re all carrying our stuff around in flimsy kitchen bags. But 311 Travel Bag has created a sturdier and more stylish solution: Its $24.95 toiletry kit meets T.S.A. standards and comes with a zippered vinyl bag and travel-size bottles. “

This article pretty much sums it up on how we are different from all the other bag manufacturers out there. Because of our made-to-order approach, we are pretty sure that we do not have much in way of competition.

If you travel a lot for business and are frustrated of your bag not serving your purpose arrange for a zoom meeting to discuss your needs and the look you desire for our leather bag.

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