Today we’re showcasing several of the latest popular handbags crafted in Shebag’s handmade workshop — including the Picotin with crocodile leather handles, the Kelly 25 in blue Epsom leather with exterior stitching, the Kelly 25 in black crocodile leather, and the cream-white Evelyne in Togo leather. These are among the signature styles produced by the Shebag atelier.

Let’s talk about Hermès leathers — the most crucial part of any replica craftsmanship. Without premium leather, it’s impossible to create a top-tier Hermès-style handmade bag.

Hermès has long maintained control over its key leather supply chain. It owns its own tanneries such as Annonay and Du Puy in France, while also working closely with a few high-end partner tanneries. Some preliminary stages of leather processing — like initial tanning or dyeing — may be outsourced to certified factories to ensure stable production capacity and consistent quality.

Togo leather is made from calfskin, primarily sourced from France, Italy, and other Western European pastures. Hermès enforces extremely high standards for its hides, selecting only those with uniform grain and minimal imperfections, and classifying them by the calf’s age, thickness, and texture before assigning them to different product lines.

Most tanning and dyeing processes are concentrated in central and western France, close to Hermès’ own workshops. This proximity allows for tighter quality control and ensures environmental and traceability standards meet EU regulations.

Because Hermès relies on the French leather supply chain, Shebag’s deep relationships within Europe’s leather network allow us to access the same top-grade materials.

Hermès’ Togo leather, derived from calfskin, is softened and drum-dyed to achieve its signature fine pebble grain and natural vein pattern. It feels supple yet structured, highly scratch-resistant, and easy to maintain. The name “Togo” is symbolic — it doesn’t refer to the country of origin.

Different years and batches of Togo leather show subtle variations in grain size, vein prominence, firmness, color depth, and thickness. These differences stem from factors such as the calf’s age and skin section, tanning formula, dyeing duration, oil content, and the individual tannery’s process. While Hermès maintains strict quality control, such slight batch variations are normal due to multiple suppliers and workshops operating in parallel.

Overall, early-2000s Togo tended to have coarser and stiffer grains; after 2010, it became softer and finer; in recent years, batches maintain a strong grain texture while improving dye uniformity and flexibility. The natural variations in Togo leather are regarded as part of its character, not flaws.