The Road to Luxury

Chapter 8Skills

Craftsmen are the unknowns of the luxury world. They come from extremely varied backgrounds, they are passionate about doing a good job, and they perform their crafts with well-deserved pride. Luxury is not a word that means anything to them. They are driven by beauty, perfection, a polished finish, and excellent handiwork.

They know they are the “Last of the Mohicans,” but they are happy about this. Some were trained on the job, some in schools, some were sons of craftsmen, and they all pull together as one. In the word “craftsman” there is “craft,” and in “worker” there is “work”—as in a work of art. Craftsmen and workers are artists, and they put their stamp on their work. A luxury craftsman is committed to his product: He marks it and may see it again.

A craftsman gleans his knowledge by watching, certainly not by reading. He teaches by demonstrating. He learns by observing and he passes on his know-how.

A great craftsman also knows how to behav ewith clients or in society in general. He knows how to explain, listen, and demonstrate. He is passionate and demanding.

If he knows how to do as well as how to be, then his future is mapped out with a major luxury house, but if he is on his own, then he is fragile. The luxury craftsman is part of a team, he never ceases to learn new things, he has to adapt to new models, new workshops, and new supervisors. He travels, learns from talking to others. His life is one long discovery. He is the true representative of ...