Solid and stable developments are Braun Büffel’s strengths

The watches mirror the attention to detail the brand’s leather goods are most known for.

Since the German brand’s founding in 1887, it has witnessed an unwavering expansion across the globe.

With over 100 years in heritage, Braun Büffel has proved that progress, though slow at times, is indeed steady. Since the brand’s founding in 1887, it has witnessed an unwavering expansion – first in Germany, then across the globe.

Braun Büffel started as a mere saddlery and upholstery business. It was in Kirn – more famously known as Germany’s town of leather, that the late Johann Braun first plied his trade.

“He, and later on, his son, went on to produce bags instead. The region had quite an influx of merchants, and the bags were used by them to bring money to the banks,” explains the owner and CEO of Braun GmbH & Co KG Christiane Brunk.

Brunk happens to be from the fourth generation of the Braun family to helm the business. Johann is her great-grandfather. Both her grandfather and father also had continued on with the family trade.

“When my father took over the business, it already had a range of well-established products, but there wasn’t a label. The Braun name was only known for quality. That’s when he came up with the buffalo logo and expanded it as a brand,” states Brunk.

Creative director of Braun Buffel Damiano Biella.

Today, Braun Büffel has grown further. Its products are not just of the small leather goods variety, but lifestyle items, as well. The brand strives to be more fashionable and contemporary, in this way.

Last year saw Damiano Biella joining Braun Büffel as creative director. He heads a design team in the Asia Pacific, creating a bridge between the brand’s German heritage and expanding Asian markets.

“Of course, when you are part of a brand that has such a long history, it’s not so easy to move it forward. But I’ve always preferred a natural evolution rather than a revolution,” he says.

Biella has worked with fashion labels like Escada, Valentino, Celine and Gucci in the past. His friendships include some of Hollywood’s top celebrities, whom he has had the pleasure to work with in films and for their day-to-day style needs.

Owner and CEO of Braun GmbH & Co KG Christiane Brunk.

Both Brunk and Biella were in Kuala Lumpur recently to unveil the first ever collection of Braun Büffel timepieces. Each of these watches mirrors the attention to detail the brand’s leather goods are most known for.

Biella explains that his aim is to have Braun Büffel offer products for a comprehensive look, and not just one need. While the brand already has a range of eyewear for instance, its stores in China additionally carry men’s ready-to-wear.

“I like the idea that somebody who comes into Braun Büffel can find items for all occasions. You can buy a wallet for example, which is handsome looking and functional – as well as other products, like bags for travel.”

Classy: The Precious bag from the Made In Florence range is functional and stylish.

This season also sees the exclusive Made In Florence range of bags from the brand. Pagoda has an immaculate curve at the top that denotes elegance, and Precious uses full-grain embossed leather for superior durability.

The new monogram range uses Braun Büffel’s bull icon, a signature of strength and dependability. It forms a criss-cross layout that transforms the bags, and is beautifully suited for both men and women.

Customers can look out for lifestyle campaigns such as the Büffel Art Project too. This centres on auctioning artworks made with scale bull statuettes, of which the funds raised are given to charity.

The monogram range, which features the use of Braun Buffel’s bull icon in a patterned layout.

Regarding fashion in Germany, Biella says that the people there are very practical. In this context, they like their products to be beautiful and stylish, but at the same time functional.

“It’s a rather good thing for me. I can draw from my creative Italian side to play with colours and different materials, but yet ground it with Braun Büffel’s long-standing adherence to quality craftsmanship.”

Brunk agrees, explaining that Germany is not normally associated with fashion. “The country is more famed for workmanship. Braun Büffel may not be a trailblazer when it comes to trends, but product functionality is our strength.”

She adds that Braun Büffel is taking very careful steps with stable and solid developments. Taking a brand driven approach, instead of a sales driven one, has made the brand strong.

“We know from our history that it requires quite some time to bring up a brand name and we are not in a hurry. There is still some more years to go for us,” Brunk says in conclusion.