ok guys, most of you bal subforum regulars know i have been collecting bal bags since i bought my first black 02 flat brass in paris in 02, so i know leather variations pretty well...anyway, i had my first peak at the new 06 red, greige, green , black, white, blueberry and truffle. all of them in different shapes and sizes...THE LEATHER VARIED GREATLY!!! for example, i saw a griege twiggy that was shiny and veiny like last season , but the greige city was matte!! the leather was still thinner than the older years, but better than last season. the red i saw was not shiny at all, very, very matte. the green was almost dull? the blueberry was shiny but not veiny. and the best leathers, like last season !were the blacks and whites. i even took home a white first with me bc the leather was like the 04 and early 05s. smooshy and thick! anyway, i did not see the oxblood IRL yet. i think we are going to hear varying reports on leather qualities and if you guys are as neurotic as me, it may take a couple of exchanges to get your personal perfect bal bag.