It was to be expected. On Moleskinerie there was a post that highlighted that the latest Moleskines are “Made in China”. The response from the Moleskine fan community has been overwhelming: we want the old books back.
China is responsible for a large number of the consumer products that we use today. However, there is an expectation that Moleskines were better than a mass-produced throwaway consumable. I imagine we all had images of a workshop filled with dedicated craftsmen, carefully hand-binding each notebook with absolute focus and attention to detail.
Sorry folks: these books have always been mass-produced. What is irksome even to me is that Modo e Modo (or their new French corporate masters) is no longer making a pretense of selling a quality journal that is unique and worth posessing. An item that sets the owner apart as someone who takes their notes, sketches and writings seriously, as thoughts worth dedicating to a medium that will last beyond them.
It’s all about brand. And the Moleskine notebooks are the icon of the social networking brand growth vision held by so many companies today. The core, dedicated following evangelizes the product, drawing more people to try the product and love it. As with so many things, will popularity denude and degrade the product?
If it is true that the latest production runs of Moleskines are originating in China and are of a lower quality than the community has come to expect, nay, demand, of this fine piece of crafting, then the no longer have the cachet, and are no longer unique, and will die the death of a million blog posts.
I am voting for the Rite in the Rain notebooks to be the next iconoclastic notebook. The unique yellow covers and indestructible paper have made me think twice about this addiction to Moleskines. They are books designed to be noticed (try finding a black notebook in the woods after it’s fallen out of your pack!), and stand out in a coffee shop, especially one filled with darkly dressed artist types.
Moleskine, I am willing to give you a chance. The community wants to hear your answer.
Oh, and Rite in the Rain notebooks are made in Tacoma, WA!
2006-08-13 — 20:19
I think it’s too bad that Moleskines are being manufactured of a lower quailty, but I compleatly agree with you that Rite in the Rain notebooks should be the next iconoclastic notebooks.
In fact I think I’ll get a head start and order some today.
2006-08-13 — 20:19
I think it’s too bad that Moleskines are being manufactured of a lower quailty, but I compleatly agree with you that Rite in the Rain notebooks should be the next iconoclastic notebooks.In fact I think I’ll get a head start and order some today.
2007-08-10 — 18:26
It is too bad that more and more journal and diary makers are looking over seas for their manufacturing. I think the next iconoclast journal /notebook maker is that of Gallery Leather Co. They make all their products in Trenton / Bar Harbor, Maine. And their guarantee is if the craftsmanship fails in anyway they will replace it at NO CHARGE! I know this sounds like a plug but Let’s get on the train before it’s too late!
2007-08-10 — 18:26
It is too bad that more and more journal and diary makers are looking over seas for their manufacturing. I think the next iconoclast journal /notebook maker is that of Gallery Leather Co. They make all their products in Trenton / Bar Harbor, Maine. And their guarantee is if the craftsmanship fails in anyway they will replace it at NO CHARGE! I know this sounds like a plug but Let’s get on the train before it’s too late!
2009-10-08 — 23:15
When I heard that Moleskine was changing their manufacturing to China (boo hiss!) I went around to all the book stores that sold Moleskine and poured through the inventory. I was able to snag 4 or 5 journals that didn't have the Made In China tag on the label. This is a sad thing for a company to do. What a sellout.
2010-03-26 — 13:32
@j0n you are right the quality of moleskine become lower and lower…But on galleryleather.com you can buy the best ones, i already use them for years. The quality is much much better and i like them so much
2010-09-28 — 19:08
Not only is regrettable to see our beloved Moleskine being made in China over the worse, at what price?
It would be the exchange of a plate of rice by taking advantage of cheap labor while Europe lacks employment here?
And also sad to see a company take advantage of the Yen artificially under-valued and only think about profit.
Thankfully, in many countries are already doing serious business as the Moleskine in the nineteenth century, ie, with true artisans
2011-05-18 — 10:16
No way am I buying notebooks made in China – for a number of reasons. It is especially irritating that all these “luxury” European brands are outsourcing to China but still charging consumers the same old inflated prices.
2011-08-08 — 01:26
I have bought my last Moleskine. I like Canson sketchbooks, if only they made journals.
2012-02-06 — 00:47
I was one of the people who wanted to have a moleskine, but for me they are very expensive for the quality that they offer. So I decided to make my own notebook.
I noticed that I could make good quality notebooks and for a good price to other people.
Now, me and my boyfriend are making notebooks and really enjoying it, because of the different possibilities to customize them.
Check them here: http://www.facebook.com/PaperIdeas
Hope you enjoy them.