EXOTICS

Porosus crocodile from Australia: Most commonly found on Northern shores of Australia, New Guinea and Indonesia. Hermes does not glaze the Porosus croc skins so they will never peel. This skin is polished with an agate stone and the skin has to lay flat under the machine so once it is made into a bag, you will never be able to polish it again.

Niloticus crocodile from Africa: the ever popular matte croc is rich and sumptuous. (All crocs have to be at least 10 years old to meet Hermes standards)

Black Matte Croc and Diamond Hermes Birkin

Mississippi Alligator: The best ‘gator skin in the world is from the US.

Lizard from Africa: Available in size 25cm or smaller due to the small size of lizards.

Ostrich from South Africa: Hermes uses the most incredible ostrich skins with flat quills.

LEATHERS

Veau Swift: Veau means calf in French, the word after it is usually the way the calf skin has been treated and/or stamped. This is a soft and sturdy calf skin.

Veau Box: A stiff calf skin that wears to a beautiful patina but scratches easily.

Veau Epsom: Calf skin that has a smoother grain and is very stiff, one of my favorites.

Troika Calf hair: A delicate and gorgeous skin but it will wear around the edges. Not the most durable.

Veau Togo: One of the most popular skins from female calf skin, tumbled and printed. Togo is my absolute favorite.

Victoria Beckham with a white Veau Togo Hermes Birkin Bag

Vache Liege: Vache means cow in French you’ll see that cow skin is also thicker than calf skin. Liege is the way it is treated and stamped.

Vachette Crispee Fjord: Cow skin in a heavy and looser texture.

Chevre Mysore: Goatskin, increasingly difficult to find at Hermes quality.

Taurillon Clemence: The softest and most durable of skins made of Bull leather. The grain is looser than the Veau skins.

Buffle: Buffalo skin is as tough as you can get. This is usually used for luggage.