Hiten Manseta has taken his family business from Bombay to New York, achieving success through the fine quality established by his family tradition and the foresight of using modern Japanese designers and branders to broaden his company’s appeal. From its humble beginnings, Hitten has made Tusk a premier source for leather goods including handbags and travel accessories for both men and women and established a showroom at the St. James Building in Suite 531. As a fellow tenant, you might want to stop by and see the extraordinary products Tusk offers.

Raised in a typical Indian family in Bombay, Hiten Manseta grew up surrounded by family members in the textile industry. Family dinners always revolved around business talk, and Hiten quickly developed a passion for the industry. He was well-prepared to take over his family business, and when he did in 1993, he surprised his family by moving to New York to launch his brand.

Realizing the importance of design appeal, Hiten started working with a friend and artist from Japan to design the brand’s logo and signature Tusk zipper pulls that are now trademarked as an original Tusk product. It is this marriage of contemporary design with the highest quality of leather that has led to the company’s growth and recognition, even being featured on Oprah’s Favorite Things.

However, despite all the changes, Hiten has maintained the family tradition — an incontrovertible commitment to integrity in and sourcing the best materials and maintaining high-quality manufacturing practices.

Materials

Only the finest leather is used at Tusk. Customers can select leather from American buffalo, which is known for strength and durability, French calf, known for being soft and smooth, and Egyptian buffalo, which is elastic and durable.

Processes

The Leather Working Group is a group that has set environmental standards to promote appropriate environmental business practices within the leather industry. All of the leathers that are selected at Tusk have earned Gold and Silver ratings from this group. Each material and process involved in the making of a Tusk bag and accessory is selected with the environment in mind.

Manufacturing

Tusk’s factory in Mumbai, managed by Hiten’s sisters, still produces all Tusk products from tanning, and dyeing through the finishing process.  These craftspeople working at Tusk are not simply workers making thousands of pieces for a super brand, they are the heads of small families who have grown up with the leather making factory and are part of a culture that respects its artisan tradition.  In fact, Tusk is so proud of its operations that they invite visitors to their factory to see the sustainable and ethical ways in which their products are made.

Uniquely symbolic of the care and commitment of the company, customers receive superior customer service and a personal thank you letter with every Tusk purchase. Customers have reciprocated with wonderful testimonials to Tusk products and services , which can be found on its website. Our favorite is this:  “I made my first purchase of a TUSK wallet more than a decade ago, that is in perfect condition. Since then, I purchased the black lizard, a small billfold for a tiny purse, and now the wood colored Donington wallet.”

Tusk 

1133 Broadway, Suite 531
New York, NY 10010
(212) 242-8485

tusk.com

Hours:
Monday-Friday: 11:00 am – 6:30 pm
Saturday: 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday: Available by Appointment