TANNERIE D'ANNONAY KARAGRAIN LONGCHAMP

KARAGRAIN LONGCHAMP from Annonay, France. Its uniform yet deep embossed texture and highly stable grain surface maintain their shape even with wear, which is why Yuki Shirahama Bottier has continued to choose it for many years.

TANNERIE D'ANNONAY is a leather manufacturer based in the Annonay region of France.

The history of tanning dates back to 1838, and the Annonay region has developed as a leather production area since the days of tanneries such as Meyzonnier and Combe. The current Annonay company was established as a corporation in 1984, but behind it lies a tanning culture that has continued since 1838, and the techniques and lineage of craftsmen have been passed down along with the history of this region.

This tannery handles everything from selecting raw hides to tanning, dyeing, and finishing, and is particularly skilled in the final process of ``surface design.''

Yuki Shirahama Bottier has been choosing the LONGCHAMP brand from Annonay's KARAGRAIN series for many years.

Features of LONGCHAMP embossing

LONGCHAMP's embossing is uniform, but there is a subtle nuance of lines within the grains. It is not a perfectly round grain, but rather has a slightly vertical flowing appearance. This prevents it from looking monotonous when viewed on the surface, and creates depth when the light hits it.

These "lines in the embossing" give the shoe a neat and firm impression rather than a round and soft one, and this changes the impression when it is made into shoes.

Finish stability

The unique feature of LONGCHAMP, owned by Yuki Shirahama Bottier, is the stability of the grain of its Calgrain leather. Calgrain is famous for its smooth, aniline-finished full-grain calfskin, and has long been used to make bespoke shoes. The grain layer of Calgrain leather combines delicacy with a stable appearance when worn. Its moderate flexibility prevents excessive stretching, making it difficult for the top line to loosen and its contours to remain stable over time, making it a leather with a finish that easily maintains its elegance.

Annonay's official key signatures are never made public, but from my experience as a shoemaker for many years,

- How the binder (binding agent) is inserted

- Thickness and uniformity of the surface film

-Heat treatment temperature and pressure

*The binder and surface film are each one of several finishing layers applied to the leather surface during processing.

The balance between these three elements seems to be excellent, and the finish feels like it is one with the silver surface rather than the coating being placed on top.

Therefore

・Almost no silver floating occurs

・Wrinkle valleys are less likely to whiten

- The surface is difficult to see as a layer

These characteristics allow the lines of the shoes to be maintained even after years of wear. Furthermore, compared to Annonay's smooth leather VOCALOU, the softness of the fibers is outstanding. It flexes flexibly, so it feels very comfortable to wear.

Differences from Rusticalf Grain

In contrast, Rusticalf grain leather, also from Annonay, is a finish that makes the most of the leather's natural suppleness, and it develops a richer luster and deeper color over time, allowing you to enjoy its aging.

On the other hand, Calagrain LONGCHAMP is a leather that maintains its shape rather than allowing you to enjoy changes. From the perspective of "maintaining its shape" for several years after you first wear it, Calagrain LONGCHAMP fits that idea.

Currently only stock available

This version of the Karagrain LONGCHAMP has not been available in Japan for over a decade (as of February 2026). Having also been unable to find it on overseas markets, Yuki Shirahama Bottier commissioned Annonay to produce it for us over a decade ago. We are currently only selling the stock we have, and currently have no plans to reorder. The rawhide from over a decade ago is of high quality, making it a highly recommended leather.

Yuki Shirahama Bottier's Calagrain LONGCHAMP shoes retain their shape and appearance even with continued wear. This stability is what makes this leather so valuable. Its thickness is approximately 1.2-1.4mm, and it is available in four colors: black, dark brown, light brown, and burgundy.

If you would like this leather, please let us know when you consult.