Typical materials

Grained calfskin (Epsom, Togo): The grain has to stay crisp, so it is dyed without filling it.
Crocodile and lizard: Scales and the grooves between them absorb colour differently; touch-ups follow the scale pattern.
Suede: We raise the nap first and use as little dye as possible so it stays soft.
Canvas (Garden Party, Herbag): Canvas soaks up dye more than leather, so the colour is carried right into the weave.

Hermès work we have done

Drawn from our published records. Each item links to the project.

Béarn wallets — worn edge paint, faded crocodile and lizard, redoing an earlier dye job
H buckles and clasps — worn plating, a switch to rose gold, chipped black finish
Izmir sandals — worn H straps replaced
- Hermès Izmir sandals, brown — H-strap uppers replaced
- Hermès Izmir sandals, white — H-strap uppers replaced
Canvas bags — faded black canvas and worn handle edges
- Hermès Garden Party, black — partial re-dye and handle edge paint
- Hermès Herbag, black — canvas and strap re-dyed

By type of work

Béarn wallet restoration 5
Leather replacement 4
Hardware plating & coating 4
Re-dyeing 2
Crocodile polishing & care 1
Partial re-dyeing 1

What we watch for

We match colour to what is actually left on the piece rather than the official colour name, since the same Hermès colour varies by year and leather. Hardware is worked separately so no chemicals touch the leather.