Chanel’s leather craftsmanship is renowned for its diversity and durability. Among its most iconic elements are caviar leather, grained leather (fine ball grain), and the related embossed pebble finish techniques.

Shebag has fully mastered the technical characteristics of fine-grain caviar leather, with direct sourcing from the Haas factory.

Caviar leather is essentially specially processed grained calfskin, named for its surface densely covered with small round pebbles resembling caviar. It is firmer and thicker than regular calfskin or lambskin, offering excellent scratch and wear resistance. It features raised pebble grain with a firm hand feel; its finish can be matte, shiny, or metallic, varying by season and style.

Fine-grain leather falls under the broader category of caviar leather, but in Chanel’s terminology, it often specifically refers to a version with finer grain and a slightly softer hand feel. The pebbling is smaller and more densely packed than standard “caviar,” resulting in a more understated and elegant appearance. Positioned between smooth, supple lambskin and sturdy caviar leather, it retains the tenacity of calfskin while being more durable than lambskin and less prone to noticeable creases or impressions.

The textures of these leathers are not natural; they are achieved through sophisticated embossing techniques. Specific patterns are pressed onto selected calfskin under high temperature and pressure, transforming the leather’s smooth surface into a distinctive pebbled or ball-grain finish. The embossed pebble technique serves not only aesthetic purposes but also functional ones: the raised pebbles act as a protective buffer, effectively resisting accidental scratches from nails, keys, and other hard objects.

Embossing increases the leather’s density and firmness, ensuring bags—such as the iconic Classic Flap or Boy Bag—retain their shape even when carrying heavier contents.