THE SECRETS OF OUR LEATHERS

Each leather is different and possesses its own secrets.
When these secrets concern precious leathers, working a skin becomes an art.
A collective art, that begins with the breeding.
A quick dive into Camille Fournet’s ecosystem.

OUR LEATHERS

PARTNERING FARMS AND TANNERIES

Camille Fournet works with rare leathers, searching for the finest skins from around the world. They come from the greatest farms, in Louisiana for alligator, South Africa for ostrich and France and Italy for calfskin and bullcalf leather. 

It is necessary to continue expanding one’s search, to partner with the best tanners, searching and searching for the best leathers, as we have the past seventy-five years...

The relationship with the tanner is cultivated over time. Trust is built. With over five hundred color and leather references today at Camille Fournet, the demands are incredibly high. To have an idea, it simply suffices to imagine the difficulty in obtaining the same exact shade on two different skins, twice.

HOW IS THE PERFECT COLOR CREATED?

Caring for the leather, scrutinizing it by sight and touch… it’s an entire art practiced by our artisans.

They enclose themselves in a dark room and, with the help of a light box, verify the shade’s conformity, using a spectrocolorimeter to be absolutely certain that the color falls within the accepted range, studying the finish’s shine, which is never the same, and observing the small flaws in the leather that must imperatively be outside of the areas that will be cut and used. 

To work with rare leathers, technical skills are required – as is perfection in the artisan’s methods. Knowing how to handle the skin, preventing the slightest harm to its beauty, all throughout the steps of its transformation.

It thus requires a perfect forecasting, extensive experience, and the heart to do it well. Under our control, the greatest tanneries ensure the highest quality of skins, responsible farming methods for the animals and the people that tend to them, as well as guaranteeing good practices, from farm to tanning, all in accordance with REACH guidelines.

THE ORIGIN OF OUR LEATHERS

Each of Camille Fournet’s leathers is selected from partner farms, that are committed to an ecologically virtuous protocol that adheres to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Camille Fournet’s tanned leathers adhere to the European REACH regulation, which respects the environment. The origin of our leathers and their excellence is guaranteed by the AQC label, of which the house of Camille Fournet is one of the founding members.

EXOTIC AND PRECIOUS LEATHERS

Where does alligator leather originate? Exotic and precious, sourced from the United States, our alligator leather follows a sustainable supply chain, which is mastered, supervised and regulated by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). Each leather is the fruit of an extensive method of careful, responsible farming.

Originating from farms in South Africa, ostrich leather is noted for its granular touch. Resistant, but also requiring meticulous care, ostrich leather develops a beautiful patina over time, providing it with a truly unique, noble aspect.

Captured in the wild, lizard leather and python are exclusively sourced from lawful, referenced hunters and territories, and follow all CITES regulations, ensuring the skin’s traceability, as per the laws established at the Washington Conference. Based on their origins, these highly-valued leathers present distinctive, visual characteristics.

CALFSKIN AND BULLCALF LEATHERS

We also propose calfskin and bullcalf leathers. Their quality must be irreproachable. This is entirely dependent on the quality of how the animals were raised.

The leather is thus selected from farms that exhibit the greatest respect for sustainable criteria.

Thin and silky to the touch, calfskin requires the greatest attention when working with the leather. Bullcalf and young bullcalf leathers, which are thicker and more grained, guarantee an excellent endurance over time.

CARING FOR OUR LEATHERS

Leather, like all natural materials, evolves throughout the seasons, based on its inherent nature, color and use. It naturally develops a patina over time and reacts to humidity. Its evolution also depends on the care that you provide it. To preserve your Camille Fournet bag or small leather good, here are a few of our expert artisans’ recommendations to avoid their premature ageing.

CARING FOR A LEATHER BAG, SMALL LEATHER GOOD OR WATCH STRAP.

Leather, like all natural materials, evolves throughout the seasons, based on its inherent nature, color and use. It naturally develops a patina over time and reacts to humidity.

There are a few precautions to follow in order to ensure your Camille Fournet bag, small leather good or watch strap maintains its natural appearance over time. 

We recommend storing your piece each evening, away from humidity, light and sources of heat. 

1. Avoid light, water, humidity, solvents and heat
2. If possible, store your item when it is not being used 

A leather cream can be applied. Nevertheless, we recommend ensuring that the cream you are using is compatible with the type of leather you have chosen.

A SMALL PROBLEM? WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

If your leather bag or small leather good comes into contact with water, alcohol-based products or oily materials, delicately pat it with a gentle cloth to absorb the liquid.

Caring for a watch strap will always be a bit different, and watch straps, even the most resistant, must be regularly replaced.

Their durability will largely depend on their use, as well as the care you provide them. If you have the slightest hesitation, please feel free to contact our Customer Service team.

CONSIDER OUR LEATHERS A GAME OF INFINITE POSSIBILITIES. IT’S UP TO YOU TO COMBINE THEM, IN CONTRASTS OR NUANCES, BY TOUCH AND BY DIFFERENCES. HAVE FUN.