Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything about our leather, how it’s made, and how it reaches you. Still curious? Reach the studio.
- What is Isvena?
- Isvena is a leather goods house that makes hand-braided, vegetable-tanned leather totes, slings, crossbody bags, clutches and baskets. It is the direct-to-consumer brand of P.M. Rahamathulla & Co., a family leather workshop in Periyamet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, whose leather heritage dates back to 1936.
- What does vegetable-tanned, chrome-free leather mean and why does it matter?
- Vegetable-tanned leather is tanned using natural plant extracts (tannins) rather than chromium salts. Because it contains no chromium or heavy metals, it is chrome-free, safe to wear against the skin, less likely to cause allergic reactions, and fully biodegradable at the end of its life. It also develops a rich patina and deepens in colour with age.
- Where are Isvena products made?
- Every Isvena piece is made by hand in the family's own workshop in Periyamet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. The workshop has produced leather goods under the P.M. Rahamathulla & Co. name and its predecessors since 1936.
- Are Isvena products made to order, and how long does delivery take?
- Yes. Because each piece is braided or stitched by hand, orders are made to order and typically ship in 2–3 weeks from the Chennai workshop. Tracking details are emailed once the item is dispatched.
- Does Isvena ship worldwide?
- Yes, Isvena ships worldwide from Chennai, India. Shipping and any applicable duties or taxes are calculated at checkout, and payment is handled securely by card.
- What is hand-braided leather?
- Hand-braided leather is made by cutting full-grain hide into narrow strips — some as fine as 4mm — and interlacing them entirely by hand into a woven pattern. A single tote can take more than a full day to braid. It is the signature technique behind Isvena's totes, slings, crossbody bags and clutches.
- How do I care for vegetable-tanned leather?
- Keep the leather dry, wipe it with a soft dry cloth, and condition it occasionally with a natural leather balm. Avoid prolonged direct sunlight and excess water. With normal care, vegetable-tanned leather ages beautifully and can last for decades.
- Can I order custom sizes, colours, or wholesale quantities?
- Yes. Many Isvena pieces are available in standard and custom sizes and in the workshop's full colour range. Isvena also continues the export and wholesale relationships built by P.M. Rahamathulla & Co., so bulk and private-label enquiries are welcome via the contact page.
- What colours does Isvena offer?
- Depending on the piece, Isvena leather is available in tan, brown, black, red, rose, pink, green, blue, yellow, white and a soft metallic silver.
- What payment methods does Isvena accept?
- Isvena accepts secure card payments through Stripe at checkout, with shipping addresses collected for worldwide delivery. For bespoke or wholesale orders, the studio can also arrange payment directly.
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