Vass to Offer Exotic Hides

This essay began as an interview with Gabor Halmos, the U.S. agent for Vass Shoes of Budapest, and that interview will still appear in the future. But first I thought I'd show samples of two new offerings by Vass, the addition of ostrich and alligator hides to the product line.


Not every man appreciates the exotics. Other mens' hearts beat just a bit faster. They're not seen every day, and when they are they make a statement.

Vass is remains a tiny company of 18 craftsmen and Vass shoes continue to be entirely hand made. That means visibly more attractive waists and, on their traditional models, more interesting sole treatments.

The prices for their new offerings are exceptional. Alligator is HUF 390,000 a pair and ostrich HUF 270,000 in Budapest (tentatively $3,000 and $2,100 respectively in the United States after shipping and duty), which compares favorably to Edward Green's $5,000 crocodile offerings.


Prospective buyers should act quickly. There won't be many skins left once they hear about this in Moscow.

The High Cost of Accessories

The accessories we carry are as important to our image as the rest of what we wear, and I need a new credit card case. Not that there's anything seriously wrong with mine, but I've had it for a decade and it's very dark brown where it once was tan leather.

Most men carry a wallet unless, like me, they worry about the drape of their jacket. I make do with a credit card case in a trouser pocket. And a key case (to prevent keys from abusing the pocket lining). Usually a pen and a wrist watch. Perhaps cufflinks and a money clip. And that's about it. Unfortunately, nothing in the pockets of a well dressed man is exactly inexpensive.

Watches, of course, cost like crazy, but so does the rest of the gear. That credit card case that I need, for example. It's just a little thing but April in Paris asks about $200 per slot for the pictured alligator version that holds six cards. It's certainly beautifully made, and comes in my choice of seven colors, with another half dozen choices for the contrasting interior.

Fortunately for the contents of my card case, I think alligator is just too showy (even when I wore belted trousers I left my alligator belts in the closet) and the price drops in half for those customers willing to tolerate the daily compromise of carrying calf instead. So Christmas is coming and I'll probably go for a new case. In calf. But I'll be dreaming about dark brown alligator with a tan stingray interior.

April in Paris, by the way, is the one world class must-see craftsman I know of in the Bay area.

Sources: April in Paris

April in Paris is the San Francisco boutique of master leather artisan Beatrice Amblard. Born in France, Amblard began her career as an apprentice at Hermes, one of the world's finest suppliers of leather goods, and worked there for 15 years before opening her own workshop in 2000.

Amblard’s specialty is working with French calf, ostrich, stingray and alligator. She is best known for her custom handbags, usually finished with the traditional saddle stitch, the same way it was done 200 years ago.

The April in Paris shopping site features handmade leather products such as credit card cases, wallets, business card cases, passport cases and belts. The quality is excellent.

Each item is made to order, in either Grain calf and Millennium Alligator. Amblard favors Millennium alligator because its soft, low gloss finish gives a sophisticated and timeless look. The grain calf is imported from France, and exudes modern and contemporary elegance.

Product prices range from $350 for a grain calf credit card case to $2,400 for an alligator men’s belt with a gold buckle. The pictured business card case in alligator is $675.

Web site orders require about two weeks (completely customized pieces like Amblard's handbags require three months). All sales are final.