Glossary
Savoir-Faire
/sav-WAHR fair/
Specialised knowledge - literally 'know-how' - that a luxury maison has accumulated and protects, generally referring to a specific craft or technique.
Definition
Savoir-faire is the institutional knowledge that allows a maison to produce a particular object to a particular standard. It encompasses the technique itself, the training pathway that transmits it, and the suppliers and tools required to execute it. Unlike a recipe or a patent, savoir-faire cannot be transferred through documents - it lives in the hands of trained artisans. This is why luxury maisons defend their savoir-faire so aggressively: it is, in effect, the company.
Origin
French, in continuous use since the 18th century. Adopted into English luxury vocabulary as a single hyphenated term around the same time as 'maison'.
Usage in luxury
When evaluating a luxury good, savoir-faire questions are the most clarifying: who taught the maker, how long was the apprenticeship, where are the supplies sourced, and how many people in the world can perform the technique? A truly rare savoir-faire often involves fewer than 100 living practitioners worldwide.
Examples
- - Hermès' selle (saddle) savoir-faire: 7-year apprenticeship, single artisan per saddle
- - Patek Philippe's hand-finishing savoir-faire on Calatrava cross spring
- - Goyard's hand-painted Goyardine canvas - never industrialised