SAVOIR-FAIRE
can’t find a bag to meet your needs? make one. that was how joseph Lor started Faire Leather co, discovers melainne chiew
your smartphone, laptop, power bank, wallet and more. Are there too many essentials you can’t leave home without? Chances are, your beautiful bag hides a tragic, tumultuous mess inside.
Unable to reconcile with the chaos in his own bag, Joseph Lor decided to go a step further: He made a leather bag for himself. “Thankfully, others love it too,” says Lor. “I like being efficient. I put a lot of things in my bag; it was always hard to find stuff and untangle wires.”
Together with business partner Ryan Choy, he started Faire Leather Co, an online men’s leather goods label, to solve the conundrum of messy, unorganised briefcases, and launched its Kickstarter project in November 2017. Lor, its CEO, says the overwhelming response took them by surprise. Faire Leather Co became Singapore’s most funded campaign on the global crowdfunding platform. The company had hoped to achieve its $500,000 sales target within a year, but exceeded that in under one quarter.
Among the company’s bestsellers is the Bond Travel Briefcase. Open this sleek and clean-cut carrier, and it reveals a myriad of compartments for everything you can’t leave home without. Cables and keys hook comfortably on detachable tabs, while wallets and gadgets slip easily into different pockets. The bag even has an inconspicuous trolley slot strap that attaches easily on a carry-on suitcase.
As it turns out, Lor, 33, is no rookie in the leather goods industry. His father James founded Tocco Toscano more than three decades ago. Most of Faire’s products are produced at the Guangdong leatherwork factory owned by Lor’s family. Smaller pieces such as card wallets, belts, bracelets and lanyards are made in its workshop in Singapore.
Lor, who joined his family business eight years ago, is now its CEO. He had planned to work there and pick up skills and experiences before venturing out on his own. It didn’t necessarily have to be related to leather goods, he shares. “But I ended up liking the business and staying all the way,” he smiles.
Lor admits he grew up privileged, and even sports a “Blessed” tattoo on his chest (an actual nickname his parents gave him, he divulges). But he’s had his own share of tough times. For example, he had to steer Tocco Toscano out of a retail downturn two years ago. He points to the safari bed leaning against a corner in his office: “I slept on that every night, even on weekends. For six whole months.”
These days, Lor splits his time between both brands. While Faire Leather Co taps into Tocco Toscano’s heritage and experience, it remains essentially a men’s label, while Tocco Toscano caters to women. Lor is clearly confident about staying ahead of the competition. “I don’t think there are many labels doing what we do. My family has been at this for over 30 years, so I’m confident we can beat our competition in terms of quality and price.”
My greatest fantasy is… everyone in the world using our products.
success is… being happy doing what you love.
My greatest love is… family and the business.
My parents… give me a lot of leeway. Even when we were kids, they gave anything we wanted as long as it didn’t harm anyone. They are traditional but really loving.
i wasn’t always entrepreneurial… I realised I wanted to start a business only when I was about 20 years old. I was a playful kid and trying to figure out what I wanted to do. I knew I didn’t want to work for anyone.
as a boss… I make sure to explain to my staff, including the interns, the rationale behind decisions.