Clover Cardholder | Terre Humaine Capsule Collection

The leathers in the Terre Humaine collection are oiled leathers with a natural finish, designed to develop a patina with use. Already nourished throughout their structure during tanning, they will gradually become glossier and develop a protective patina through friction, handling, and care.

The first 4 to 6 months are essential for the formation of this patina. During this period, the new leather is still very absorbent and requires more care. Over time, its surface will naturally become more resistant and easier to live with.

During the first 4 to 6 months

We recommend performing care about once a month with the care balm provided with your creation.

Use a very small amount of product. Distribute it carefully on a soft cloth to saturate it evenly: there should be practically no visible product left on the cloth. It should only be very lightly moistened with oil.

Then pass the cloth over the leather by gently and evenly stroking it, without trying to work in a large amount of product.

As the leather is already nourished throughout its structure, it does not need to be heavily oiled. On the contrary, when it is new, its surface is particularly absorbent: it is therefore important to start with very little product. As the patina develops, the leather will absorb less quickly and care will become easier.

The balm thus supports the natural work of tanning. Friction against clothing will gradually polish the surface of the leather; handling and contact with hands also help to nourish it. Little by little, these different elements combine to form a more harmonious and protective patina.

A few precautions at the beginning

During this initial period, pay particular attention to your creation.

Avoid handling it with wet, greasy hands, or hands that have just been creamed, as well as any contact with food or other greasy substances. Until its protective patina is established, the leather is still very absorbent: stains can penetrate quickly and remain visible for a while, until the leather works and its patina becomes uniform.

Nubuck leather may also show small traces of surface abrasion. They are generally superficial: a simple pass of the finger is usually enough to soften or make them disappear.

And in the rain?

This leather can withstand a few drops, light moisture, or very fine rain. Occasional contact with water does not mean that your creation will be stained or damaged.

However, during the first few months, we advise you to avoid deliberately exposing it to rain as much as possible. The newer the leather, the more quickly it absorbs what comes into contact with its surface. As the patina develops, water will gradually be less likely to penetrate the leather.

If your creation gets slightly wet in the rain, simply let it dry naturally, without doing anything further and without placing it near a heat source.

Even once the patina is established, a leather bag is obviously not intended to be soaked: a reasonable amount of rain and prolonged exposure to water are two very different things.

And in the sun?

Like all natural leathers, these leathers also react to the sun and their color will evolve over time.

During the first few months, avoid strong and prolonged exposure to allow the patina to form gradually and harmoniously.

Once the leather has developed a patina, it can naturally accompany you much more freely outdoors. However, it is still preferable not to leave a leather creation permanently in direct sunlight or exposed to intense heat: leather is not meant to be "cooked" in the sun.

Should the leather be waterproofed?

Waterproofing is not essential.

The patina that gradually develops itself constitutes a protection and allows the leather to better withstand moisture over time.

If you still wish to waterproof your creation, you must choose a product without greasy substances. The leather is already nourished throughout its structure and also receives its care balm: there is no need to apply multiple applications of oil.

In case of a stain or dirt

A piece of natural crepe is provided with your creation.

If a substance has settled on or become embedded in the leather, use the crepe delicately like an eraser, to remove what can be removed.

If the leather, especially when it is still new, has already absorbed a stain—particularly a greasy substance—do not try to make it disappear by adding water or a large amount of product. The crepe can help remove the surface dirt, but a stain absorbed into the leather will not necessarily disappear immediately.

After using the crepe, you can perform light care with the balm, always in a very small amount and evenly. The goal is not to abruptly mask the stain, but to gradually guide the leather toward a more harmonious patina: the edges of the mark will soften, the color differences will become less pronounced, and the leather itself will evolve and darken slightly over time.

There may therefore be, at the beginning of your creation's life, a period during which certain stains remain visible and the patina still appears uneven. Do not try to multiply interventions to make them disappear. Simply continue to care for your leather gently and give it time.

As it evolves, these stains will blend into its patina and some will eventually disappear.

Once the patina is established

After about 4 to 6 months, depending on how often you use your creation, the patina will begin to fully perform its protective role.

The leather will then be less absorbent and much easier to live with. You will be able to use your creation in a wider variety of circumstances, take it outdoors or into nature more often, and be less concerned about small everyday stains or light rain.

Care can then be spaced out. We recommend nourishing the leather about twice a year, ideally at the change of seasons:

• in spring, before the strong sun exposure of summer;
• in autumn, before the return of rain and moisture.

Over the years, it remains important to continue nourishing your leather. A material that dries out deeply gradually loses its suppleness: regular care helps preserve the leather fibers and contributes to its longevity.

The golden rule: gentleness and regularity

To care for your creation, always work gently and evenly. It is better to use very little product and renew the care when necessary than to try to quickly transform the appearance of the leather.

The leathers of Terre Humaine were chosen precisely for their ability to evolve. Their tanning gradually expresses its qualities with use: the oil present in the leather's structure, the care balm, friction, handling, light, and simply time all work together to form their patina.

Your creation is therefore not intended to remain as it was the day it left the workshop. Its surface will become glossier, its color may evolve slightly, some marks will appear and then soften. It is this evolution that will gradually give the leather its character and make your creation a truly unique piece.