The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
Looking for chic leather goods that meet your expectations? Then Katre Leather Goods, founded by fashion stylist Kat Manalo Erro, should be your go-to brand. Katre is all about utility and style, rather than being the “It” brand of the month. It aims to transcend cycles and seasons.
The idea for Katre was born during Kat’s two-year stay in London, where she realized that she wanted to learn about all that’s “handmade” and “bespoke”, because that was the rage there. She took up a shoemaking course and, coupled with trips to continental Europe, slowly realized that she might be on to something.
Working at London’s upscale Harvey Nichols department store gave Kat a closer view of the business of high-quality designer goods. The stylist’s experience there motivated her to produce handbags that matches those goods’ quality and appeal, but without the designer labels. She wanted Katre to be about the materials, the final product, and the customer.
People who buy Katre products can have their names monogrammed—to be premise, heat-stamped—onto the leather. It’s like producing for the customer his or her very own brand.
Recently, Katre introduced a special approach to monogramming: transferring one’s own handwriting onto the leather item of his or her choice, so that gift-giving will go beyond personal.
People can check out Katre products at its newly opened showroom in Quezon City, as well as onwww.shopkatre.com, which offers them unlimited access to each collection’s offerings. Both sites aim to surpass customer expectations at every aspect of the shopping process.
The website also features the Journal, which is its version of a blog. It talks about Katre’s inspirations, Kat’s favorite places in the world and, of course, inspiring women.
Katre personally deals with suppliers to ensure amazing craftsmanship and attention to details because that is part of its customer promise.
The Katre Showroom is on the first floor of ATC Building, 148 Katipunan Avenue Ext., St. Ignatius Vill. (near White Plains), Quezon City. Visits are by appointment. For more information, call (632) 791-8727 or 586-1515, or send an e-mail to help@shopkatre.com.