Carmen Steffens showcases chic Brazilian flair
Discovery Reports
Increased spending power and improved living standards on the mainland have cultivated a new breed of consumers who have developed a taste for high-end commodities. The growing appetite for luxury items makes the mainland a goldmine for companies that can offer quality and brand exclusivity. This is exactly what Carmen Steffens is all about.
A renowned fashion brand in Brazil, Carmen Steffens is the brainchild of entrepreneur Mario Spaniol. The founder and director has an extensive background in the leather and tannery businesses. When he was 15 years old, Spaniol worked in a bag factory in the south of Brazil, which sparked his interest in the industry. He built his market knowledge through his work with American company Rohm and Haas.
Learning valuable tricks of the trade, Spaniol opened his own leather tannery in Brazil - Couroquimica Tannery. The high-quality leather that Couroquimica produces has earned the patronage of top brands such as Hugo Boss, Gucci, Florsheim, Dockers, Timberland, Mizuno and Cole Haan.
Couroquimica produces one of the highest-quality leathers in Brazil. The tannery exports its leather to 20 countries including the mainland. Capitalising on the growing demand for leather merchandise, Spaniol launched a brand to market leather products that showcase Brazilian craftsmanship, style and flair. Spaniol named the brand after his mother, Carmen Steffens.
"We want to promote Carmen Steffens internationally as a uniquely Brazilian brand embodying the lifestyle of Brazilian men and women," Spaniol says.
Spaniol's wife, Monalisa, serves as the fashion stylist of the brand. Under her guidance, the company has been able to assemble an impressive product portfolio consisting of bags, shoes and accessories.
Carmen Steffens grew rapidly, opening eight stores within the first year of operation. In 20 years, Carmen Steffens has opened 215 stores in Brazil. To establish its name more prominently in the fashion world, Carmen Steffens is bullish about opening 350 stores in Brazil and 60 to 80 concept stores in key cities internationally.