Leather Products: Usage Guidelines and Key Characteristics

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TAGLORIA HOUSE LIMITED May 16, 2025 0 comments

Leather products are crafted from natural, vegetable-tanned leather, with minimal chemical processing. Each piece is one-of-a-kind, rich in character, and designed to age beautifully over time. To fully enjoy and care for your leather items, please keep the following points in mind.

1. Unique Material Characteristics

Our products utilises leather that retains its natural texture, including wrinkles, scars, and colour variations. These features are not defects but indicators of genuine, high-quality leather, showcasing the uniqueness of each product.

Stripes called tigers	Natural Marks & Texture Expect individual differences in texture and colour. Leather may display wrinkles, scars, and pores—all signs of authenticity. These are not defects but organic features that reflect the hide’s life. Striped patterns appear in areas where the leather is prone to naturally wrinkling, such as around the neck, shoulders, and back. These are called "tiger marks", and depending on the product, the tiger marks may be large. The "tiger marks" do not mean that the leather has cracks, so it is no less strong than other areas.
	Stains and uneven colour Even among the same model and color, leather can show slight tone differences due to natural dye absorption and hide variation. Just like human skin, leather also has stains and unevenness that are originally attached to it. Depending on the product, small stains or unevenness may appear. The dye on the surface is also lightly applied, so there may be uneven colour on the surface of the leather.
	There is a unique leather smell We use vegetable tanned leather, which is made using environmentally friendly methods. Leather tanned with vegetable tannins has a unique leather smell. This will fade slightly with use, but it will never disappear completely.
	Leather Fuzz (Nap) Because HERZ products are unlined, the natural underside of the leather—often a soft, fuzzy texture—is left exposed. This leather nap may shed slightly at first but will smooth out with regular use.

2. No Inner Lining: A Conscious Design Choice

HERZ does not add synthetic linings to their bags and accessories. Why?

Authenticity: You’re experiencing real leather, inside and out.
Breathability & Weight: The bag stays lighter and allows the material to breathe naturally.
Simplicity & Repairability: A single-material structure makes future repairs easier and more sustainable.

Note: While the absence of lining enhances authenticity, delicate items may benefit from an inner pouch or organiser if stored inside the bag.

3. Colour Transfer and Clothing Considerations

Potential for Colour Migration:

Due to the natural dyeing process, there is a possibility of colour transfer from the leather to clothing, especially under conditions of friction or moisture.

Recommendations:

Exercise caution when wearing light-coloured garments.
Be mindful during rainy conditions or when sweating, as moisture can increase the likelihood of colour transfer.

4. Leather Softening and Shape Changes

Natural Softening Process:

Over time, the leather will soften and adapt to usage patterns, leading to changes in shape and texture.

User Expectations:

Anticipate a break-in period where the leather becomes more supple.
Understand that these changes are part of the leather's natural evolution and contribute to the product's uniqueness.

5. Traditional Leather Construction

HERZ uses time-tested Japanese leathercraft techniques, hand-building each item to emphasise function, beauty, and honesty in materials.

Here’s what makes their construction unique—and what to expect:

Minimalist, Authentic Build

Single-layer leather with no inner lining or artificial stiffeners.
Reinforced stress points: Handles, straps, and joints are crafted fordurability.

Honest Craftsmanship Details

Sewing marks & needle holes

Slight needle holes from stitching—especially on interior seams—are visible. These are normal signs of hand-assembly and not flaws.

Wrinkles from shaping

Wrinkles may appear from turning the item right-side-out during final construction. These are unavoidable in hand-built leather goods and soften over time.

Pinhole dents

Tiny pressure marks may be visible where parts were temporarily fixed with tools or pins. These fade with use.

Functional Design Elements

	Piping seams Curves and edges may include piping for structure. Slight shifting or asymmetry may occur due to manual assembly.
	Shape influenced by leather quality Each leather batch has natural differences in firmness or stretch. As a result, even the same model may vary slightly in shape.
	Skiving marks To reduce bulk at joins, leather is often skived (thinned). This can create slight unevenness in tone or softness at edges—an expected feature of handcrafted work.
	Constructed base (bottom) The base of many bags is reinforced, stitched, or folded to provide support. Slight asymmetries may exist due to leather thickness variation.