Frequently Asked Questions
1. About Atelier Bouclier What is Atelier Bouclier? Atelier Bouclier is a boutique artisanal atelier dedicated to crafting heirloom-quality leather accessories by hand. Each piece is made with passion and precision using the finest materials, celebrating timeless design and superior craftsmanship. What does "Bouclier" mean? "Bouclier" is French for "shield" — symbolizing protection, durability, and elegance that stands the test of time, much like our leather goods. Where are your products made? All pieces are handmade in my atelier by me on Lantau Island in Hong Kong.
2. Products & Materials What leathers do you use? I work with premium vegetable-tanned leathers from Italy, France, England, Japan and North America and chrome tanned leathers primarily from France from Tanneries such as Conceria Walpier, Badalassi Carlo, Conceria La Perla Azzurra, Tanneries Roux, Tanneries Haas, Alran, Tanneries de Montereau / and de Vivoin / HCP, Tannerie d’Annonay, Chahin tannery, Horween, J&FJ Baker and Sedgwick among others. What exotic leathers do you use? •Crocodile Porosus (Crocodylus porosus): primarily from Australia, it is often considered the most prized skin, characterized by small, symmetrical scales with tiny visible pores. My supplier has invested in its own crocodile farms in the Northern Territory of Australia. •Crocodile Niloticus (Crocodylus niloticus): from the Nile River region, mainly Zimbabwe. These crocodiles provide larger, more rectangular scales. •Alligator (Alligator Mississippiensis): from farms in the southern United States, specifically Florida and Texas. These skins have a more uniform appearance, no visible pores, and are frequently used for smaller bags. •Moreletii Crocodile (Crocodylus moreletii): from Central and South America, particularly Mexico. •Common Ostrich (Struthio camelus): primarily from specialized farms in the Western Cape of South Africa. •Varanus Salvator (Asian Water Monitor): from Southeast Asia, these lizards have small, delicate, and symmetric scales. It is characterized by a natural ringlet pattern and is often left undyed to highlight this, resulting in a distinctive brown and beige, or grey and white, pattern. •Varanus Niloticus (Nile Monitor): from the Nile region of Africa, this is more common than Varanus Salvator, often used for solid-colored items. The scales are described as ovate or oval. Are your products customizable or bespoke? Yes — many items offer personalization (e.g., monogramming, colour choices, hardware). For fully bespoke projects, contact us directly via the private enquiries form. How should I care for my Bouclier leather piece? Generally, use a soft, dry cloth for regular dusting. Condition occasionally with a high-quality leather balm. Avoid prolonged sun exposure and moisture. Vegetable-tanned leather develops a beautiful patina over time — embrace it! For more detailed information, visit: www.bouclier.co/leather-care
3. Ordering & Production Are items made to order? Most pieces are handcrafted upon order or in very limited runs to ensure quality and exclusivity. This means production times vary — typically 1 to 4 weeks depending on the item and customization and to be honest my backlog. Can I see items in person or get samples? As a small atelier, we don't have physical stores yet. However, we're happy to provide detailed photos/videos or discuss specifics via email/phone for peace of mind before ordering. Do you offer gift wrapping or notes? Yes we can certainly include a personal message. We can include a handwritten note for that special touch.
4.Shipping & Delivery Where do you ship? We ship worldwide from Hong Kong. Domestic Hong Kong and international options are available. What are shipping times and costs? Shipping varies depending on where the commissioned pieces are being shipped and what they are made from. Standard shipping: 5–14 business days internationally. Express options are available. Costs calculated at checkout based on destination and order value. Items made from some exotics take longer to ship because of the formalities required relating to such species. Do you provide tracking? Yes — every order receives a tracking number via email once shipped.
5.Returns, Exchanges & Refunds What is your return policy? Due to the bespoke/handmade nature of our products, we cannot accept returns, exchanges, or cancellations once production has begun - https://www.bouclier.co/returns-refunds. We encourage you to review product details/photos carefully and reach out with questions beforehand. What if there's a defect or damage? Quality is our priority — if your item arrives damaged due to us, or has a manufacturing defect, contact us with photos and we will do the needful as per the Bouclier policies published on this website.
6.Payments & Security What payment methods do you accept? We accept major credit/debit cards and payment intermediaries via secure checkout. All transactions are encrypted and protected. Is my payment information safe? Yes — we use industry-standard encryption and do not store full card details.
7.General How can I contact you for questions or custom orders? Use the contact form on our Private Enquiries page at https://www.bouclier.co/contact. We respond within 1 – 2 business days and love discussing bespoke ideas. Do you offer wholesale or collaborations? We're open to select partnerships — please reach out with details.
Please see the sequence of events in the process at www.bouclier.co/bespoke-process