It’s remarkable how many hands interact with each Shinola strap from start to finish. From the initial processing in the hide room, to meticulous finishing, the process is particularly labor-intensive.

The methodical attention to detail is evident across the board. At every stage, from cutting, to adhesive preparation, to painting, Paloma is able to inspect and adjust the process to suit her needs. One would assume that Paloma has had experience making watch straps before, but this is not the case.

Paloma joined Shinola in November 2013. Prior to that, Paloma was Director of Product and Technical Development for leather goods and small leather goods at Louis Vuitton in Spain, where most of the luxury brand’s leather goods are actually made.

That Paloma now works at Shinola in Detroit is telling of two thing: 1) Shinola has the budget to hire the best of the best, from Ms. Vega to Sky Yaeger formerly of Bianchi, now Director of Bicycle Product Development. and 2) there must be something compelling about Shinola, besides the salary, to encourage these relative masters of their respective universes to relocate to Detroit to work for a relative upstart.

New to the company and new to the city – by way of California and Barcelona – Paloma effused an elegant pride when taking me around the new leather strap facility.