The hobby he started to distract himself became his job
Taşkıran, discussing the differences between mass production and handmade, custom boutique production, said that the biggest advantage of custom production is that it "sets you apart from the crowd." Taşkıran noted that boutique workshops don't work with ready-made patterns, saying, "Custom-made production allows you to create a design entirely tailored to your own needs and tastes. The customer determines all the details, such as design, color, and size. This isn't possible with mass production."
Taşkıran stated that Türkiye has both advantages and disadvantages when it comes to raw material selection, adding that leather has been used in Turkish culture for many years, and that thanks to this, there are tanneries producing high-quality leather in various parts of the country.
"Our country's biggest advantage in this field is the ability to obtain leather at more affordable prices than in places where it's most famous," said the master. He also noted that production quality can occasionally suffer from issues and a lack of variety. He emphasized that the quality of leather varies depending on the tanning method and the product in which it will be used.
Taşkıran stated that the techniques used in handmade products extend the life of the product, and that thanks to the thick, waxed and durable threads used in hand-sewing, products that can be called "immortal" are created.
Taşkıran stated that boutique manufacturers generally do not use additional filling materials such as fabric, lining, and cardboard used in industrial production, and explained the impact of this on durability as follows:
"The fabric or zipper inside a leather bag that will last perhaps 100 years starts to wear out in 4-5 years. By not using these additional materials in handmade products, leather becomes immortal."
Metin Taşkıran said that the sector has many more masters than it seems and that many people started this business as a hobby, especially during the pandemic period, and that the most important problem in the sector is financial concerns.
"Generally, almost all the leather craftsmen I know have another job. They also make leather as a side hustle," he said, highlighting his concern about leaving his financial comfort zone.
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