• Where do you get your leather?
• Can I see Billie Marie products in person? 
• How long has the owner been doing leather work and what is her training?
• Where are the leather goods made?
• What is the Billie Marie return policy?
• Does Billie Marie do commissioned pieces?
• What is the Billie Marie warranty?
• What do I do if I spill something on my Billie Marie bag?
• How do I contact Billie Marie?

Where do you get your leather?

We source our leather from a variety of different suppliers, but all of the leather is a by-product of the meat industry, which means that no animals were killed for their skin.

Below are some details about the different types of leather we use:

• Bison - the animal is sourced from the united states, chrome tanned.
• Horween - Horween is one of the last large US tanneries right outside of Chicago. This is very expensive, high quality leather.
• Vegetable-tanned cow leather - this leather generally originates from South America. This leather is tanned using the least chemically harmful tanning process and results in a more “untreated” leather. The lack of chemicals causes the leather to darken and soften over time gaining a natural protective layer called a “patina”.

We also use goat suede, pig suede, oil tan leather, hair-on cow leather, sheep veg-tan and lambskin.

 For more information on our materials, please head to our Materials page.

Can I see Billie Marie products in person? 

If you are local to the bay area or in town visiting, you can email us at hello@billiemariegoods.com or text us at (415)735-5245 to schedule an appointment to come by our workshop. You can also schedule a zoom shopping session with Lake to see items virtually and ask questions.

How long has the owner been doing leather work and what is her training?

Lake started doing leatherwork as a creative outlet in the evenings and on the weekends when she was living in Seattle and working a 9-5 desk job. The first class she took was in early 2015. She spent a year taking various leather workshops and watching lots of youtube videos. 

She quit her desk job in early 2016 and founded Billie Marie in March 2016.

She moved herself and the business to San Francisco in early 2017 to take a year-long course in fine french leatherworking from Beatrice Amblard in Inner Richmond at Amblard Leather Atelier. Beatrice worked as a leather artisan for Hermes in Paris and then moved with the company to the USA to assist in opening their new San Francisco store. After working for Hermes for 14 years, she began her own line, April in Paris, and eventually opened her leather school Amblard Leather Atelier.

Lake continues to take various leatherwork classes to continue to refine her techniques and learn new skills. The most recent of which was a Nike Jordan sneaker making workshop with The Show Surgeon from LA.

Lake combines the fine french leather working techniques with chunkier, more durable leather and a unique, yet everyday aesthetic.

Where are the leather goods made?

In house! Lake, the owner & designer, makes all the leather bags and accessories in her small workshop in the Dogpatch neighborhood of San Francisco.

Historically, Lake has had a small team help her produce the Billie Marie leather goods. But, as of January 2023, all items are again made by Lake.

 

What is the Billie Marie return policy? 

We accept returns or exchanges on unused products for 30 days after purchase. Read more about our return policy here.

 

Does Billie Marie do commissioned pieces?

Yep! Check to see if customs are open here.

 

What is the Billie Marie warranty?

We take pride in the quality and durability of our leather goods and are proud to offer a two year guarantee on all Billie Marie products.

If the leather, stitching, or hardware of your product fails due to regular use within two years of purchase, we will happily repair or replace it. Just send us an email at hello@billiemariegoods.com to get the process started! 

Please note that the Billie Marie Guarantee does not cover repair or replacement due to out-of-the-ordinary use, accidents, or intentional modification by customer. Our leather goods will age gracefully over time and thus we do not guarantee that the items will remain "like new" for the duration of their lifetime, nor do we guarantee "like new" condition after repairs.

 

What do I do if I spill something on my Billie Marie bag?

First, visit our Materials page and try the suggestions under each "Care Instructions" section on that page. If you are still unhappy with the look of the bag, make an appointment to come into the workshop or send us an email. We will do our best to fix or minimize the stain! If you don't live in the bay area or cannot make it into the store, send us an email with a photo of the stain at hello@billiemariegoods.com.

 

How do I contact Billie Marie?

You can email us at hello@billiemariegoods.com or call us at (415)735-5245