Embrun.
Luxury without animal cruelty.
We started somewhere else, but we always loved the look of leather.
We never liked what it costs: an animal, a tannery, and a bag you are afraid to take out in the rain. So we started from another idea.
Since 2019, every Sevine Dumont bag is made from Embrun, our high-quality vegan leather. Our suede bags are made from Velours Sevine, our vegan suede. Vegan leather, not animal leather.
The same idea as the world's most famous coated canvas
The most famous luxury bags in the world are not made of leather. They are made of coated canvas: a woven base with a protective finish that shrugs off rain and wear. The big brands, with their high markups, have sold it as their signature for a century. We took that idea and made it our own.
Embrun, French for sea spray, is a woven base with a protective grained finish. It is not their material. It is the same thinking, without the markup.
Three layers
Embrun is built up in three layers. Each one has a job. You'll find the full composition of every bag under 'Composition' on its product page.
-
The woven base
A tightly woven textile gives the bag its body. It holds the shape of a tote and the drape of a hobo, and it stays light on the shoulder.
-
The protective finish
A supple finish is bonded onto the base. This is the layer that meets the weather: rain beads off, everyday scuffs stay away, and a damp cloth is all it needs.
-
The grain
The texture is pressed into the finish while it sets. Grainé for the fine pebble, Lisse for the smooth face, Tressé for the woven surface. Velours Sevine, our vegan suede, has a brushed nap instead.
Made for every kind of weather
-
Rain beads off
A closed finish does not drink water. Rain, a spilled coffee, a wet platform: it rolls off and leaves no mark.
-
A damp cloth
No conditioner, no spray, no routine. Wipe it with a soft damp cloth and it is ready for tomorrow.
-
Keeps its shape and color
The color is in the finish, not on it. It does not dry out, darken or fade, and the bag holds its line through the seasons.
-
Lighter on your shoulder
Lighter than a comparable leather bag, so it is easier on your shoulders and your back through a long day.
-
No animal hide
No animal, no tannery. Free from animal hide, fur, wool and silk, from the outer to the lining.
Embrun and animal leather
| Point | Embrun | Animal leather |
|---|---|---|
| Cruelty-free | No animal suffering in the making of our bags | Made with animal suffering |
| Made from | A woven base with a protective finish | Animal hide |
| Tanning | None | Needed, most often with chrome |
| In the rain | Water beads off | Absorbs water, can stain |
| Easy care | A damp cloth | Cleaning and conditioning |
| Everyday scuffs | Resists them | Marks show |
| Weight | Lighter on your shoulder | Heavier, all day long |
| Honestly | No patina: it stays as it is on day one | Develops a patina many people love |
Compared with typical animal leather handbags.
What Embrun is not
Please be aware: this is not real leather. Embrun is our own alternative to it, made on purpose, because we are against animal suffering.
It will not develop a patina. What it will do: come with you in any weather, and wipe clean with a damp cloth.
Living with Embrun
- Wipe with a soft damp cloth. No leather conditioner, oils or solvents.
- Caught in the rain? Dry it with a cloth. No heat.
- Store stuffed, in the dust bag, away from direct heat and sunlight.
- Velours Sevine: brush gently with a soft brush, and keep it away from heavy rain.
About Embrun
Is it real leather?
No, and that is our choice. Every Sevine Dumont bag is made from Embrun, our high-quality vegan leather, or Velours Sevine, our vegan suede. Luxury without animal cruelty: no animal hide, no tannery. It is water-resistant and needs nothing more than a damp cloth.
What is it made of?
A woven textile base with a protective, grained finish. The lining is a soft vegan microfiber. You find the composition of every bag under Composition on its product page.
Is it vegan?
Yes. Our bags are free from animal hide, fur, wool and silk. Vegan leather, not animal leather.
Can I take it out in the rain?
Yes. Embrun is water-resistant: rain beads off the finish. Wipe it dry with a soft cloth when you get home. Velours Sevine prefers dry days, like any suede.
Is it heavy?
Lighter than a comparable leather bag, so it is easier on your shoulders and your back through a long day. Every product page lists the weight.
How long will it last?
We check the zip, the seams, the hardware, the straps and the lining on every bag. With a damp cloth and a little common sense, Embrun keeps its shape and its color, season after season.
Carry it in any weather
Every bag, in Embrun or Velours Sevine. Fall Sale: buy one, get one free.