Suede leather, sometimes called nubuck, is a specific type of leather prepared by specialists whose sanded finish gives it a delicate and smooth look and velvety feel.
HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR BAG
There is no need to polish suede leather. Just wash the bag with slightly soapy water and let it dry away from a heat source (such as a radiator or direct sunlight), then brush it gently.
The most stubborn spots or stains can be removed with the help of a suede rubber or suede brush. This makes it possible to restore the grain and to revitalize the treated leather without affecting the colour.
To finish, brush the bag with a soft brush in order to bring back the smooth finish, then apply a renovating spray to nourish, revive, and protect your bag.
Repeat this process 2 to 4 times a year.
If your bag was subjected to rain, wipe the water off with a damp cloth in order to prevent the raindrops from staining the leather, and then dry your bag out completely, always keeping it away from the heat. Then rub or brush your bag with a suede brush. This will allow you to remove the rain spots, to clean and restore the grain, and to revitalize the parts of the treated leather without affecting the colours.
Bleu de Chauffe offers a soft brush “made in France”, specifically for suede leathers. This two-sided brush with a wooden handle has rubber on one side and brass bristles on the other. The soft brush gently removes light stains, whereas the side with brass bristles removes more stubborn ones.
SUEDE LEATHER BAGS BY BLEU DE CHAUFFE
Unlike the leather from exotic animals, even those which are farm-raised, cowhides are taken from animals that are also used for their meat.
The lower layer of the hide closest to the flesh is the split leather. This part of the hide is the least valuable, of an inferior quality, and less supple. It is also the part of the hide that is the most commonly used as it is also, needless to say, the least expensive.
The outermost layer of the hide, which is the most valuable, is the full-grain leather. This leather is considered to be the highest quality, and therefore the most expensive, and the one selected for making high-end bags. It conserves its suppleness and the durability of the hide. Each and every Bleu de Chauffe leather bag is made entirely with full-grain leather.
Split leather is often used to make a leather that looks and feels like velvet by a process of sanding the outer side of the hide.
In order to obtain a higher quality leather, but with a velvety touch and shiny look, we use full-grain leather. In turn, we obtain a nubuck leather or suede leather. All of the Bleu de Chauffe bags that have this velvety look are made entirely from nubuck leather.
The vast majority of leathers undergo a process of mineral tanning. The imperfections are covered up with pigmentations, and artificial grains are pressed into the hides. This process allows the colours to set quickly and is consequently less costly. Nonetheless, for this process, chromium, and other heavy metals and chemicals are used. These elements are extremely polluting and potentially toxic. Although infrequent, they can produce allergic reactions when they come in contact with the skin.
The ancient process of vegetable tanning, which is much more natural and ecologically safe, makes use of natural dyes from plants and trees (oak, acacia, chestnut, mimosa, etc.). This process takes more time and is more laborious. However, it gives the leather a more authentic appearance and allows it to develop a beautiful natural patina and an incomparable texture as it ages.
Bleu de Chauffe is a company concerned with reducing the ecological footprint of its activity at every stage of production. Naturally, we have made the choice to only use vegetable tanned leathers, as much for environmental reasons as for their superior quality, unique appearance and the natural patina they develop with age.
SUEDE LEATHER BAGS BY BLEU DE CHAUFFE
Bleu de Chauffe has two lines of bags in suede, with details in vegetable-tanned leather: the fisherman’s Musette and the Camp backpacks – bags which pay tribute to the ‘outdoor’ spirit of 20th century France.
The Musette satchel (also available in organic cotton canvas, waxed cotton canvas, and waxed leather) comes in three different sizes, and is a modern version of the iconic fisherman’s musette from the early 20th century. It has three outside pockets, and an adjustable strap so that you can carry it over the shoulder or across the chest. The largest model has a capacity of 7L, the Musette S has a 5L capacity, and the Musette XS has a capacity of 3L.
The Camp backpack (also available in organic cotton canvas) comes in two different sizes. It takes its inspiration from the hiking bags of the 50s and 60s, which is where it gets its drawstring closure. For extra comfort, the straps are lined with felt made from French wool. There is an outside zipped pocket on the front of the bag. The largest model has a capacity of 20L, while the Camp S has a 12L capacity.
By purchasing a leather bag by Bleu de Chauffe, you have the guarantee that only the best full-grain and vegetable tanned leathers have been used. Furthermore, you can be confident that each bag is a unique hand-made article, and that, contrary to mass produced bags, each Bleu de Chauffe bag is produced in our workshop in France by a single artisan who signs every bag he or she makes. For us, it is important that each and every Bleu de Chauffe leather bag is exceptional, made to last, and ages beautifully with time.
