A few things you remember about your dad’s briefcase:
It made him look important. You could never figure out the combination lock. And, nostalgia aside, his attaché had modest goals in form and function.
Time to stop being modest.
Korchmar, an American leather goods pioneer, is celebrating its 100th year with a new, extremely limited-edition line of rich leather briefcases, weekenders and pilot cases, all updated and reimagined from classic bag silhouettes.
It’s a four-generation American story that carries a lot of weight. With style.
A heritage leather brand, Korchmar is a family-owned business that’s been making world-class leather goods since 1917, including products for the armed forces in World War I and II (and, more recently, working as a supplier for brands like Coach, Tumi and Moore & Giles).
The Cincinnati-based company’s new Centennial Collection features seven new pieces in three colors each (black, brown, tan), all of which seriously reinvent classic silhouettes from the brand’s archives. They’re also, fun fact, named after well-known American leaders (Roosevelt, Woodrow, etc.).
Standouts from the new collection include:
The Gerald: A ‘50s-style attache case with piano-hinge construction, multiple interior organizers and three removable/adjustable Velcro content holders to keep your cords and small accessories in place.
The Winston: Inspired by pilot cases crafted in the 1940s, this three-compartment catalog case is an elevated messenger/laptop bag.
The Taft: If you were an outdoorsman in the ‘60s, you might have owned something like this. Now, it’s your weekender. Features a removable accessories panel, “clamp down” buckle ends that allow for expansion and a leather lining.
Plus, a laptop bag with “disappearing handles” (so you can turn it into an underarm carry or have easier access to the interior) as well as briefcases with a patented technology to stay open when you need ‘em to.
All with full-grain American leather, solid brass hardware and twill lining. Available for $145-$620 in limited runs (and individually numbered).
Somebody’s still making America great.
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