The major leather goods houses have all their favorite materials for making their handbags. Over the years and technological advances, new materials have been added to the collections, but without ever overshadowing those that are part of the DNA of the brand. Chanel or of Louis Vuitton. LEATHER, coated canvas, and even recycled plastic, Vintega tells you everything about the materials of your favorite luxury bags : a memo to keep on hand to guide you in your future purchases!
Leather, an eternal ally
Oh the leather! A loyal ally of the major leather goods houses, it makes up most of the most iconic handbags in the world. The skill required for its handling is guarantee of quality for the luxury bags : the methods used in workshops today are often the same for decades. There are many types of leather, and you probably know most of them because they are often associated with flagship handbag models.
L’origin of leather, firstly, impacts the style and effect of the bag. THE calfskin and cowhide are among the most used materials in the world of luxury, and in particular at Louis Vuitton, Chloé or Dior, because they can adopt various gaits. More fragile but just as chic, the Lamb leather is becoming rarer, but it is found on mythical bags like the 2.55 from Chanel ! Some more exotic leathers have contributed to shaping the singular identity of certain bags: the Maison Hermes has notably sublimated them on its most sought-after models, such as the Kelly where the Constance. Finally, how not to talk about the piece and its soft touch which gives a little something extra to models like the Loulou Saint Laurent.
The great specialists in luxury bags can for their part identify the signature of a House thanks to the different effects given to leather ! Among the most famous are the very elegant taiga leather with the grained effect of Louis Vuitton, where the Epi leather whose lines adorn the leather version of the Speedy of Louis Vuitton. The cracked appearance of taurillon leather is characteristic of the bag Birkin of Hermès, which makes collectors dream so much. Finally, for a chic and delicate look, we are always happy to turn to bags in patent leather, like some models of the Timeless of Chanel available in a very fresh palette.
The coated canvas, between casual style and French chic
There coated canvas is a real French success! It is Louis Vuitton who sees in this resistant material an ideal solution for its trunks and travel bags, and this from the middle of the 19[items] century. Different techniques have been used to make it waterproof, but at present it is a cotton canvas that has been treated and coated with PVC to become extremely strong and waterproof.
She always delights fans of luxury bags as the Keepall where the Neverfull of Louis Vuitton, who know how to recognize the different cult motifs of the leather goods house who decorate it – Monogram, Checkerboard or Checkerboard Azure. You can find these iconic models of shoulder bags and shopping bags on Vintega, alongside other bags that have adopted coated canvas!
The fabric, everyday companion
Sometimes you have to know how to go back to the basics to find your style. Luxury fabric bags are the perfect accessory for this! Jersey And cotton are indeed the perfect companions for a casual but elegant look. Just see the Diana of Chanel in quilted jersey version or the Jackie by Gucci in floral cotton canvas to be convinced. Some models, and in particular the leather bags which have been revisited in other materials, retain a leather interior for greater rigidity and less fragility.
Be careful, however, to know how to take care of the fabric bags when you invest in one of these models: they are more delicate than the others and require special vigilance.
The Eccentrics
Those who love original accessories and limited edition luxury bags are generally delighted when Haute Couture Houses launch bags and clutches in bolder materials than traditional leather and canvas.
The velvet is one of the materials that is popular among designers. THE Marmont by Gucci is arguably one of the most popular velvet bags around, closely followed by the Italian Maison's Dionysus.
The recent bohemian trend has also brought back the raphia on the front of the stage, seen on the Chloé shopping bags or covering the Monogram Saint Laurent bags. A success that blows a wind of lightness over luxury fashion!
Finally, the plastic is certainly the most surprising guest in the list of materials used in leather goods. Already integrated on some bags Louis Vuitton in the early 2000s by the flamboyant Marc Jacobs, it energized current collections in a recycled version. After the Fendi Basket bag, it was Prada which recently announced the launch of a line of hand bags using recycled nylon from plastic waste recovered from the oceans.
