👜 House of Enira: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

About Our Products & Sourcing

Q: Where are House of Enira handbags made?

Our handbags are 100 % handmade in Italy by trusted artisans. We focus on delivering genuine Italian craftsmanship and lasting leathers directly to you.

Q: What type of leather do you use?

We use various high-quality Italian leathers, primarily bovine (cow) genuine leather. The specific type or finish (e.g. smooth Ruga, velvet aniline, or pebbled grain) is detailed on each product page, reflecting its lasting leathers and functional designs.

Q: How accurate are the colors shown online?

We stand by our promise of \"what you see is what you get.\" While we make every effort to provide an accurate representation of our products, please note the following:

  • Natural Variation: Slight color differences may occur due to the natural variation inherent in leather hides and the specific settings or configuration of the device you use to view our store.

  • Deep Tones: Some of our deep leather colors, particularly shades like Burgundy, possess a richness that shows different tones when light or brightness hits the surface. This means the color can naturally range from deep reds to subtle purples depending on the environment. This is a signature characteristic of high-quality, deeply dyed Italian leather.


Ordering & Production

Q: What is the process for a made-to-order handbag?

If an item is marked \"Made-to-Order,\" it means the item is crafted on demand.

  • Production: Production in Italy generally takes 3 to 6 weeks, depending on the artisan's schedule and the availability of specific leather hides.

  • Quality Control: The bag is then shipped to our Netherlands warehouse for a final inspection before being shipped to you.

Q: How long does shipping take?

Shipping times vary based on the item's stock status and your location:

  • In-Stock Items: Orders are typically dispatched within 1–2 business days.

  • Transit Time: Once dispatched from our Netherlands warehouse, delivery typically takes 2–5 business days.

Q: Do your prices include VAT (Sales Tax)?

Yes. For all orders shipped within the European Union, the posted prices you see include VAT (Sales Tax).

Care and Maintenance

Q: How should I care for my Italian leather handbag?

We recommend treating your House of Enira bag with the respect its craftsmanship deserves:

  • Protection: Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, high heat, and moisture.

  • Cleaning: Use a soft, dry cloth to gently wipe away dust and debris. For spills, blot immediately with a clean, absorbent cloth. Never use harsh chemical cleaners.

  • Storage: When not in use, store your handbag in the provided dust bag and maintain its shape by stuffing it lightly with tissue paper.

See our Leather Care page for more information.

Q: What if my leather gets scratched?

Many surface scratches can be buffed out using a soft, clean finger or a leather conditioner, especially on smooth or semi-gloss finishes. Natural scratches are often considered part of the character development of high-quality leather.

Returns and Guarantee

Q: What is your return window?

We offer a 14-calendar-day Right of Withdrawal. This means you have 14 days after receiving your item to request a return for any reason. You must ensure the item is unused, unworn, with all original tags attached.

Q: Who pays for return shipping?

The consumer pays for the return shipping. To ensure optimal security and traceability, we provide a prepaid return label, and the cost of this label is deducted directly from your final refund amount.

Q: What if the hardware (like a clasp or handle) breaks within two years?

Your purchase is covered by the mandatory statutory Legal Guarantee of Conformity for a minimum of two years. This guarantees that your handbag will be fit for its intended purpose and free from inherent manufacturing defects.

Guarantee Application & Exclusion

If a lack of conformity (a defect) appears:

  • Covered: If the defect is due to an inherent fault and the bag has been used and cared for naturally and as intended (e.g., carrying everyday items).

  • Excluded: The guarantee does not cover defects resulting from:

    • Misuse or improper handling (e.g., overloading the bag beyond reasonable capacity, dragging, or neglect).

    • Accidental damage (e.g., tears, severe impacts, or spills).

    • Normal wear and tear over time.

House of Enira reserves the right to inspect the returned item. Any indication that the bag has not been used properly or has suffered accidental damage will not be covered by the guarantee.

Repair Duration and Process

Should a manufacturing defect be confirmed, we will coordinate the repair on your behalf.

  • Duration: Please be advised that the duration of a defect repair can take several months. This is because the product must be securely sent back to our designated atelier in Italy for specialized inspection and repair by the original craftsmen. We aim to complete this process as quickly as possible and will keep you informed throughout.

We encourage you to contact us immediately at contact@houseofenira.com if you discover any potential defect.

📖 Leather Guides: Frequently Asked Questions

Want to go deeper on Italian leather, our finishes, or this season's trends? These answers come from our Leather Guides blog — click through on any of them for the full story.

Genuine Leather & Authenticity

Q: What does "genuine leather" actually mean?

In Italy and the EU, "genuine leather" is a legally protected term — it means a product is made predominantly from real animal hide, with any surface coating no thicker than 0.15mm. It doesn't tell you about the tanning method, dyeing process, or finish — that's a separate story. Read the full breakdown →

Q: How can I tell if a bag is real leather?

Three fast checks: look at the grain (real leather has an irregular, shifting pore pattern; faux leather repeats the same pattern), check the cut edge (real leather is fibrous, faux leather looks smooth and plastic-like), and trust your nose and fingers (real leather smells warm and earthy, and gives slightly under pressure). See all 3 tests in detail →

Q: Is genuine leather a lower-quality material?

No — in the Italian/EU system, the label simply confirms the product is real hide. What determines quality and character is the tanning method, dyeing process, and finish. See our finishes glossary →

Q: Is suede considered genuine leather?

Yes. Suede is the napped, split layer of a real hide, so it legally carries the same "genuine leather" classification as our smooth finishes — it's simply finished differently, not a lesser material. More on suede and our other finishes →

Leather Finishes

Q: Is one leather finish "better" than another?

Not inherently — they're suited to different purposes. Aniline is chosen for how visibly it ages and shows natural character; Dollaro and Ruga are chosen for durability and clean structure; suede and tamponato are chosen for texture and depth of tone. See the full finishes glossary →

Q: Does the leather finish affect how I should care for the bag?

Yes. Aniline is more reactive to sun, water, and oils (and develops character fastest); Dollaro is more forgiving of daily wear; suede needs to stay away from water and be cleaned with a suede brush rather than a damp cloth. Care tips per finish →

Woven Leather Bags

Q: What is a woven leather bag?

A bag where the leather itself — not a printed pattern — is cut into strips and hand-woven into panels before the bag is assembled. It's a construction technique, not a finish, and it's the same core technique used in some of the most expensive handbags on the market. Read the full explanation →

Q: Is "weave" a type of leather or a finish?

Neither — it's a construction technique. The leather itself is aniline (that's the finish); weaving describes how the hide is cut into strips and hand-assembled into the bag's surface. More on the technique →

Q: How do I care for a woven leather bag?

Use a high-quality leather cream to maintain the leather's moisture, avoid heavy rain where possible, and store the bag in its dustbag when not in use to protect the woven texture. Full woven leather guide →

Hobo Bags & Fall 2026 Trends

Q: What is a hobo bag?

A soft, unstructured shoulder bag with a slouchy, crescent-shaped silhouette — designed to collapse and mold to your body rather than hold a fixed shape, unlike a structured tote or satchel. Read more about the hobo shape →

Q: Is the hobo bag trend still relevant for 2026?

Yes — multiple fall/winter 2026 fashion trend reports have named slouchy, unstructured hobo silhouettes among the season's defining shapes, alongside soft leather and woven texture. See this season's trend, piece by piece →

Italian Leather Handbags