Let's Talk About Hermès Chèvre Leather, Are You a Fan?

It took some nerve for me to venture into my handbag armoire. I haven’t dared go near it for well over three weeks. With nowhere to go, and the mood far from planning outfits, I guess it’s safe to say I just took a bag break. We’ve been actively reporting Coronavirus-related luxury news, something we can clearly see you value in these turbulent times. But of late, I confess I’ve been inspired by and enjoying several fellow handbag fashionistas who have been photographing their collections and generating flashbacks of happier times. It’s a sort of “healthy distraction”.

Today, as I peeked through the dust bags, I had a déjá vu of a discussion I alluded to a few months ago. Back in December, I revealed my special order Birkin 30 in black Chevre with rose extreme interior (read: Hermès Reveal: The Next Step in My Special Order Journey).

For those of you that read my reveal you might remember the observation on the different types of chevre leather that I have been able to discover over the years. Simply, not all chèvre is the same.

Here she is… the culmination of a long time dream. Black chèvre with rose extreme lining revealed on a flight to Zurich in Dec 2019.

The new Birkin 30 in noir presents two notable points to discuss.

First and foremost I’d like to shed some light on the differentiating qualities between my two relatively new special order beauties. Before I sat down to pen this short article, I shot a quick video. If I may digress, in fact no article was intended, only the video and photos for IG, but as I eased into the mood, I thought to myself, why not? I highly urge you to pop over to @pursebop on Instagram to see exactly what I’m about to narrate to you here. Truthfully, the pictures don’t do justice to my observations and there aren’t many taken to highlight just that.

The discussion revolves around these noir chèvre bags in my collection.

So let’s dive right in. The chevre quality in the Birkin is definitely more matte in texture. It actually feels thicker and in some way perhaps more resilient. At first, and in comparison to my other chevre bags, I wasn’t too thrilled with this. However, I have come to appreciate and admire these qualities in the short time I have had this Birkin.

Heartier texture of chèvre.

Now, my sellier chevre Kelly 25 in noir is a whole different story. And although it might be one of the holy grails of my collection, it’s turned out to be quite a delicate baby. If you recall, my first experience with chèvre was the bubblegum pink Birkin 25 and it certainly didn’t exhibit any of these delicate qualities. Then came my first special order – the blue hydra and rose Jaipur chevre B30. Again, my SO was hearty rather than delicate. In addition, neither bag had a shiny texture.

Bubblegum pink chèvre B25, read more here.

Blue Hydra B 30, read more here

Ok… let’s go back to talking about the Kelly 25: from the video you will see it’s notably shinier in texture and from its tender wounds, it would seem more delicate. I must premise the video.. by telling you that the scars are very noticeable because of the videography. In real life, the marks are slightly evident, but that still really bothers my neat freak personality. Please note, I didn’t take this Kelly 25 into battle, lol. It was used just as any other bag. In fact, it was probably treated more gently than some of the others since it’s newer and smaller. I’m especially careful during that early admiration stage. And the petite stature ensures a more ladylike activity (so not really sure where the battle scars are coming from, lol).

Read: When you Win the Hermès Lottery: My Horseshoe Reveal

Kelly 25 chèvre in noir and rose pourpre. Read more here.

When this beautiful Kelly was first shown to me, a perfect back. Read more here.

I tend to be a little OCD with my bags yet I do make it a point to enjoy them. Having said that, I am a little disappointed that one of my favorites is no longer in the “absolutely perfect” category. In fact, the silver lining of the scars will be a license to use and enjoy her even more — in other words less babying.

Black beauties that came out for the video taping at @pursebop. Click photo to access video.

Kelly 25 noir chèvre. Click photo for full video.

Here’s my obvious and tentative conclusion:

Chèvre leather can come in many variations (like any skin can…). Perhaps certain skins come from more mature animals offering more resilient characteristics and some younger animals perhaps making the skin more tender and subject to more bruising. Whatever the case, I am still a die hard chèvre fan!

I’m calling on all chèvre lovers to share their insight, experience and knowledge on the subject. Let’s take this a step further… share your chèvre babies on Instagram with the hashtag #hermeschevretalkonpursebop so we can all drool.

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