All about LV - LEATHERS

May 5, 2021
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I’m curious to know which LV leathers are cow hide vs. calf skin. Is epi cow hide? I know that certain leathers such as vernis and empriente are calf skin, but which ones are not calf skin?
Hi @Aliluvlv I just wanted to chime in ….empreinte is cowhide. The texture is heavier, thicker, rougher than calfskin. Yes epi is also cowhide. The nano gram capsule collection is all calfskin. If you get a chance to compare the two the difference in texture is quite remarkable. Calfskin is smoother softer and more supple to the touch. It also tends to be a slightly higher price point.

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BULL

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Apr 19, 2015
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I’m curious to know which LV leathers are cow hide vs. calf skin. Is epi cow hide? I know that certain leathers such as vernis and empriente are calf skin, but which ones are not calf skin?
This is not a definitive list, but gives a perspective:
Cow: Épi, Empreinte, VVN, Taïga
Calf: Taurillon (it literally means baby bull), Nanogram, LockMe, Bubblegram, Mahina, Vernis, New Wave (the website is so all over the place, half of the New Wave pieces are marked cowhide, half is calf, unbelievable)

Generally the lines that require a softer material (and also are produced in smaller quantities) tend to be calfskin. They can soften cowhide too up to a point, but for Vuitton I doubt that the material choice is a matter of price or availability. They can use whatever they want :smile:
 

Aliluvlv

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Apr 21, 2016
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Hi @Aliluvlv I just wanted to chime in ….empreinte is cowhide. The texture is heavier, thicker, rougher than calfskin. Yes epi is also cowhide. The nano gram capsule collection is all calfskin. If you get a chance to compare the two the difference in texture is quite remarkable. Calfskin is smoother softer and more supple to the touch. It also tends to be a slightly higher price point.

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View attachment 5789254

This is not a definitive list, but gives a perspective:
Cow: Épi, Empreinte, VVN, Taïga
Calf: Taurillon (it literally means baby bull), Nanogram, LockMe, Bubblegram, Mahina, Vernis, New Wave (the website is so all over the place, half of the New Wave pieces are marked cowhide, half is calf, unbelievable)

Generally the lines that require a softer material (and also are produced in smaller quantities) tend to be calfskin. They can soften cowhide too up to a point, but for Vuitton I doubt that the material choice is a matter of price or availability. They can use whatever they want :smile:
Wow thank you both so much! I had no idea that Empreinte and Taïga leather weren’t calfskin. I honestly never trust what is written on the website descriptions, but it’s nice to know they are correct sometimes. :lol: I know it’s semantics but I can’t get on board with calfskin- I try to limit my leather products as it is (which is why I love LV canvas!), but nice to know I could branch out from epi and try empreinte or taiga sometime.:biggrin:
 
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