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COCCINELLE
- Dec 12, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Feb 26
Brand Scorecard:
★★★☆☆
Leather: 3
Hardware: 3
Design: 3.5
Engineering: 3.5
Craftmanship: 4
TOTAL: 3.4
Brand Website: coccinelle.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BRIEF HISTORY
Coccinelle, an Italian fashion brand, was founded in 1978 in Parma by the Mazzieri family. From its inception, the company has specialized in crafting women's handbags and accessories, emphasizing high-quality Italian leather and meticulous craftsmanship. This dedication to quality and sophisticated design has established Coccinelle as a prominent name in the accessible luxury sector.
GLOBAL BRANDS
Over the years, Coccinelle has expanded its presence both domestically and internationally. In 2000, the brand opened its first showroom in Milan's historic Brera district, marking a significant milestone in its growth. By 2018, Coccinelle unveiled a new flagship store concept, La Pasticceria Coccinelle, on Corso Vittorio Emanuele in Milan, designed by architect Roberto Baciocchi to offer an immersive shopping experience. In 2021, the company relocated its Milan headquarters and showroom to Via Forcella 5, situating itself in a former coffee roastery in the city's design district, further cementing its commitment to blending tradition with contemporary style.
FIVE PILLARS OF A GOOD LEATHERCRAFT
READING MY ASSESSMENT SCORES
LEATHERVERSE MATRIX
The Leatherverse Brand Matrix visually compares leather brands based on sophistication and pricing, helping consumers understand their market positioning.
Legend
Vertical Axis: Ranges from simple artisan crafts to exclusive, master-crafted items.
Horizontal Axis: Covers pricing from low (no brand premium) to high (perceived luxury), with 2x multipliers for basic products and up to 15x for heavily marketed luxury items.
Diagonal Line: Represents the balance between price and performance. Brands on the line offer good value, those below suggest poor value, and those above offer exceptional value.
AUDIENCE & CUSTOMER'S PERSPECTIVE
Based on these criteria, how would you rate Coccinelle as a brand?
How would you rate Coccinelle as a brand
5
4
3
2
PRODUCTS REVIEWED
Beauty or Bait: The Truth About the Coccinelle’s Arlettis Small Bag
Coccinelle’s Arlettis Small Bag
Watch the videos here:
When it comes to investing in a handbag, the value proposition isn't always clear at first glance. To truly understand if a bag is worth your hard-earned money, we need to dissect it—literally and figuratively—and evaluate it based on the five key pillars of what makes a great bag. Today, we’re examining the Arlettis Small Bag from Coccinelle, a €260 purchase. Let’s break it down.
DISCLAIMER: This is an UNSPONSORED review. I purchased all of these products myself and am not affiliated with the brand mentioned in any way. All statements and expressions made about the products are solely the opinion of Tanner Leatherstein and are not meant to be conclusive or definitive. The purpose of this video is for informational and educational purposes only. We recommend that as a consumer, you exercise your due diligence and research on the products before adopting the opinion of Tanner Leatherstein.
A Quick Word on Counterfeit Websites
Before we dive into the details, there’s something important you should know. There is a fake store pretending to sell Coccinelle bags at much lower prices: cocinelleonline.com. Please avoid it—it’s a scam. Always shop through the official site: coccinelle.com.
Now, let’s get into the breakdown of this bag by examining the five pillars that define a great bag: Design, Structure, Craftsmanship, Hardware, and Leather.
Design: A Look at the Aesthetics
When it comes to design it is undoubtedly the most subjective pillar of any handbag review. Everyone has their own taste and preferences, but when I evaluate design, I look for uniqueness and authenticity.
The Arlettis Small is undeniably stylish with its minimalist lines and classic silhouette, but the truth is, I’ve seen bags like it before. While the bag is nice to look at, it doesn't stand out in terms of originality. If you’re someone who loves a bold and distinctive design, this might not hit the mark for you.
However, it’s still a lovely bag, and its simplicity allows it to transition seamlessly from day to night. For its design, I’m giving it a score of 3.5 out of 5. It’s stylish but not groundbreaking.
Structure: Stability and Functionality
Next, we look at the structure of the bag. One thing I immediately noticed is that the bag lacks substantial internal support material. The semi-structured shape is achieved through clever folding and laminating of the outer leather onto the lining material. While it looks and feels like leather, it doesn’t have the natural rigidity that high-quality leather often provides.
It’s a functional structure, but there’s nothing overly impressive about it. Based on the materials and construction, I’d rate this bag’s structure a 3.5 out of 5. It’s simple and does the job, but it’s not setting any new standards in terms of structure.
Craftsmanship: Attention to Detail
In terms of craftsmanship, this is where the Arlettis Small bag shines. Upon close inspection, the stitching is consistent, the edge paint is neat, and all the pieces inside and out are well-aligned. You can tell that proper attention to detail was given throughout the construction process. There are no visible flaws or rough patches—everything seems to be put together well.
For craftsmanship, this bag gets a 4 out of 5. While it’s well done, it could benefit from a bit more finesse or artisanal touches to elevate it further.
Hardware: The Finishing Touch
Hardware is a crucial component of any bag, and it can often be a dealbreaker when it comes to high-end accessories. The hardware on the Arlettis Small bag looks nice and substantial at first glance. However, when you take a closer look, you can see that it’s coated with a thick layer of lacquer, which is applied over a soft metal alloy. This results in hardware that feels slightly above average but still falls into the “mid-level” category.
For the hardware, I’d rate this bag a 3 out of 5. It’s certainly decent for the price, but it doesn’t feel like top-tier hardware.
Leather: The Heart of the Bag
Now, let’s talk about the leather. For me, leather is the most important element of any bag. Coccinelle’s choice of leather for the Arlettis Small bag leaves a bit to be desired. While it looks like leather, it feels somewhat plasticky. To see if it was coated or treated, I decided to apply some acetone to remove the finish, and as expected, a thick layer of finish came off. Underneath that finish, the leather is top-grain cowhide, which is not necessarily bad but doesn’t feel luxurious either.
The internal lining isn’t leather; it’s made of PU, which is faux leather. According to the website, the bag features grained leather on the outside, and faux leather on the inside. In terms of value, this leather is a 3 out of 5. While it’s functional and will likely be easy to clean, it doesn’t have the natural beauty or tactile quality that higher-end leathers often possess.
Cost Analysis: Is It Worth the Price?
Let’s break down the cost of making this bag. After inspecting the leather and components, I estimate that the bag uses about four square feet of leather, which would cost roughly $16. Considering the labor and materials for the hardware, the total cost to make this bag in China is around $56.
The retail price for this bag is €260, which includes tax. If we exclude tax, that brings the effective price down to around €220 (or $235), resulting in a price multiplier of approximately 4x.
A 4x markup is considered reasonable for a sustainable business model in fashion, especially for a bag that’s crafted well but isn’t using premium materials like full-grain leather.
Final Verdict: Is the Arlettis Small Bag Worth €260?
Based on our analysis, I would say that the Arlettis Small bag offers good value for the price, but it’s not without its flaws. The design is simple and elegant but not unique. The craftsmanship is solid, and the hardware and leather are decent for the price range, but they don’t offer anything groundbreaking.
If you’re someone who values good craftsmanship and a timeless look, this bag could be a good fit for you. The price multiplier of 4x is fairly reasonable, but if you’re expecting luxury-level materials and finishes, you might want to look elsewhere.
Overall, this bag is worth the money if you’re okay with the leather feeling a bit less premium and aren’t overly concerned with ultra-high-end materials. For €260, it’s a solid choice, but not a showstopper.
Do you think this bag is worth the price? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Scorecard
NEUTRAL
★★★☆☆ - 3.4
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