Understanding Our Materials and Leather Library
I am Smriti, and this is our leather library. Here, we break down the textures, durability, and origins of the upcycled hides we use to handcraft every bag.
Dhermaan bhai and I are talking about our Slate NDM leather. NDM means the leather is tumbled to bring out its natural pebble grain, making it incredibly soft with a beautiful texture. It's a versatile and hardy black leather perfect for any bag style.
Rehman bhai and I are discussing our Sand leather. It's a semi-stiff buffalo hide with a printed texture, making it very durable even though it's a light color. It's great for both structured and soft bags, but because it's thick, we can't do hand-embroidery on it.
Come inside our workshop as Dhermaan bhai and I introduce the Disco Safari leather. We believe in transparency, so we love showing you the materials we use. Here, we explain the multi-step foiling process that gives this leather its unique metallic, snake-like texture.
The Mia baguette in our Crystal leather. This was a very special foiled leather with a distressed, metallic silver finish. It was soft and easy to work with, but like many of our upcycled leathers, it was a limited lot and is now sold out.
About Leather Library: Understanding Our Materials
Choosing the right leather is about more than just the look. For example, our 'Slate' NDM leather is tumbled to get that soft, pebbled grain, which hides scratches perfectly for daily office use. On the other hand, our 'Sand' buffalo hide is thicker and more structured, great for holding bag shapes, but it is too firm to take on delicate embroidery like Zardozi. Understanding these small trade-offs helps you pick a piece that will last for years.
Why We Source Limited Lots
Because we use upcycled leather, which means we hunt for scraps and leftover lots, our collection constantly shifts. When you see a leather like our 'Disco Safari' or 'Sand' on the site, it is usually because we have found a small, unique batch. Once it is gone, it is often hard to restock, which makes every bag a limited edition.
Technical Breakdown: Which Leather Fits Your Needs?
- Slate NDM (Pebbled Black): This is our evergreen leather. The NDM process involves tumbling the hide in a drum to bring out a natural pebble texture. It is soft, has a natural shine, and because it is black and textured, it is incredibly hardy for daily commuting.
- Sand (Buffalo Hide): If you need structure, this is the one. It is a semi-stiff buffalo hide with a printed grain. While it is a lighter, neutral tone, it is surprisingly easy to clean. Note, because it is thick, we cannot do embroidery on this, but it handles painting and woven designs beautifully.
- Disco Safari: This is for those who want a statement piece. We take a crust leather base and use a three-stage foiling process to get that metallic, snake-like finish. It is semi-stiff and shines subtly under light, making it a showstopper for day or evening use.
The Artisan Difference
Whether you visit our studio in Ghitorni, Delhi, or chat with us virtually, we guide you based on what you need the bag for. We are transparent about what works: soft leathers allow for hand-embroidery, while our firmer hides are better for structured, architectural shapes. Every bag is made by one artisan from start to finish, so the material you choose is handled with care by a person whose name will be on your bag’s tag.
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