Leather Guide

by Fabrique

Our leather story begins with grain, structure, and time.

Across the collection, we work with top-grain leather, full-grain leather, nappa, suede, nubuck, and other refined finishes, each chosen for a specific purpose. A structured bag needs a leather with body. A softer silhouette needs movement. A matte finish creates quiet texture, while oil-waxed and vegetable-tanned leathers develop depth and patina with wear. Understanding proper leather care and leather maintenance ensures these premium materials retain their beauty for years to come.

Selected leathers also come from LWG Gold-rated manufacturers with ISO 14001-certified environmental management systems, supporting a more considered approach to sourcing, production, and long-term use. This page is a closer look at the materials behind Fabrique bags — the finishes, textures, and processes that shape how each bag looks, feels, and ages. Whether you are learning how to take care of leather accessories or looking for advice on how to take care of leather jacket garments, the foundation starts with quality sourcing.

Fine natural grain with a soft, resilient touch.

Nappa leather is selected for its exceptional softness, natural durability, and supple texture. The finish brings out a smooth, buttery-soft touch while keeping the leather’s natural character visible.

To create this texture, the leather is slowly tumbled for 72 hours in a controlled environment. This process softens the leather while preserving its natural grain, pores, and subtle surface depth. Instead of looking flat or overly processed, the surface keeps a more natural, dimensional texture. Proper leather care for nappa involves gentle handling to maintain this unique suppleness.

This leather also has natural resilience, allowing it to support different bag shapes from softly structured silhouettes to relaxed, slouchier forms. With use, touch, sunlight, and body warmth may gradually make the leather softer and bring out a warmer natural sheen.

Velvety texture with soft shifts in tone and sheen.

Suede is selected for its warm, tactile surface and soft velvet-like finish. Its fine nap catches light from different angles, creating subtle shifts in color depth and a gentle two-tone effect. The suede used in Fabrique bags is chosen for a smoother, more refined surface. A shorter nap gives it a cleaner look, while double dyeing helps create richer, more even color and reduces the pale, uneven look that can appear in lower-quality suede.

Because suede responds naturally to touch and movement, light surface marks or brushed areas may appear with use. These changes are part of the material’s character and can often be softened with gentle brushing, a key step in how to care for leather jacket sleeves or suede accessories.

aka Sanded Top-Grain Leather. A soft matte finish with a smooth, velvet-like touch.

Our Nubuck, or sanded top-grain leather, starts with top-grain cowhides. The surface is finely sanded to create a smooth matte texture that feels soft, velvety, and refined.

Unlike traditional suede, nubuck has a more understated finish. The sanding process softens the leather’s natural shine, giving the surface a muted, elevated look without making it feel flat. Consistent leather maintenance is recommended to keep the matte surface free from oils.

This leather works well for bags that need a quieter texture and a modern matte finish. With use, the surface may develop subtle tonal shifts or light marks, which are natural to this type of soft brushed leather.

Rich sheen with a lived-in finish.

Oil-waxed leather is selected for its rich surface and lived-in character. A thin wax finish gives the leather a warm, slightly glossy look from the first wear.

Over time, the wax gradually settles into the leather fibers, helping the surface develop more depth, softness, and texture. Small marks, scuffs, and tonal shifts may appear, but they are meant to become part of the leather’s natural evolution.

Instead of staying perfectly uniform, oil-waxed leather becomes more personal the more it is carried. It is ideal for bags designed to feel expressive, vintage-inspired, and naturally worn-in over time. Learning how to take care of leather with this finish often involves simply buffing out light scuffs with a soft cloth.

Natural grain with a patina that deepens over time.

Vegetable-tanned leather is treated with plant-based tannins, giving it a natural surface that develops character with time. It may feel more structured at first, then gradually softens as it responds to touch, light, and use.

This leather goes through a slower tanning process using plant-derived tannins. The finish helps preserve the leather’s natural texture while creating a soft, translucent glow. A 72-hour tumbling process helps develop a more dimensional grain, giving the surface texture and depth without making it look mechanically pressed.

Over time, vegetable-tanned leather develops a richer tone and warmer patina. Each bag will age differently depending on how it is carried, making the finish more personal with use. For those familiar with leather jacket maintenance, you will recognise that vegetable-tanned items require a patient approach to aging.

A softly grained texture made for everyday wear.

Pebbled top-grain cowhide is chosen for its balance of durability, softness, and natural texture. Its softly grained surface gives the leather visual depth while helping soften the look of small everyday marks.

The pebbled texture is created through a finishing process that forms a refined, lightly raised grain. The leather is then softened so the surface feels comfortable rather than stiff or rough.

Natural oils help protect the leather fibers, supporting long-term softness, lightness, and durability. The result is a leather that feels practical for daily use while still looking polished and refined. Following basic leather jacket care principles, such as keeping the material away from excessive moisture, will help this pebbled texture stay pristine.