Longchamp Le Pliage Cuir Small Top Handle in Black Metis Leather
Trapeze Top Handle Satchel / Convertible Crossbody · Longchamp (Family-owned French Luxury House). Tier: Accessible Luxury / Premium Leather Goods.
Collection: Le Pliage Cuir Collection; a permanent leather evolution of the original nylon foldable bag introduced in 2012.
Style
Trapeze Top Handle Satchel / Convertible Crossbody
Brand
Longchamp (Family-owned French Luxury House). Tier: Accessible Luxury / Premium Leather Goods.
Material
Metis Leather (a hybrid of lambskin and goatskin) known for being soft, foldable, and durable. Features a semi-structured build with piped reinforced seams.
Dimensions
Width: 25cm (bottom) to 38cm (top); Height: 23cm; Depth: 16cm. Size: Small (S).
Description
The Le Pliage Cuir is the luxurious leather sibling to the iconic nylon tote. It maintains the ingenious foldable design while utilizing incredibly supple Metis leather, allowing it to be packed flat for travel. Its universal silhouette and lightweight nature make it a staple for the modern professional.
Key Features
Foldable leather construction, gunmetal racehorse zipper medallion, debossed logo on flap, and side 'ears' with D-rings for crossbody conversion.
Material & Construction
Metis Leather (a hybrid of lambskin and goatskin) known for being soft, foldable, and durable. Features a semi-structured build with piped reinforced seams.
Color & Pattern
Noir (Black). Solid monochrome pattern with a smooth, subtly lustrous finish. Permanent classic color.
Hardware Details
Gunmetal-tone (Dark Silver) hardware. Features the signature racehorse medallion zipper pull, 'Longchamp 1948' engraved snap button, and side D-rings for strap attachment.
Interior Description
Polyester and polyamide jacquard lining with Longchamp horse motif. Includes one zippered pocket and two flat cell-phone pockets.
Closure Type
Top zipper closure with a fold-over leather flap secured by a single snap button.
Strap & Handle Details
Dual rolled leather top handles (non-adjustable). Usually comes with a detachable, wide leather shoulder strap (missing in primary photo).
Craftsmanship Details
Saddle-stitched handle attachments, clean edge-dying on the flap, and precise alignment of the top-stitch along the zipper line.
Authentication Indicators
Diamond-shaped reinforcements at handle bases, crisp racehorse debossing, YKK or T-branded zipper tracks, and high-density, uniform edge painting.
Origin & Manufacturing
Likely France, Tunisia, or China (Longchamp utilizes multiple global workshops with strict quality control).
Era & Period
Contemporary (2010s-Present). This design reflects the 'luxe-utility' trend of the 21st century.
Age Estimate
Circa 2015-2022 based on the gunmetal hardware finish and the specific racehorse debossing on the flap.
Cultural Significance
Recognized as the 'French Girl' essential, the Le Pliage series is one of the most widely sold handbag designs in history, bridging the gap between utility and status.
Condition Notes
Very Good. Leather shows minor softening and natural creasing; hardware shows slight hairline scratches on the snap button; corners appear intact without significant scuffing.
Value Estimate
Retail: $535 - $580 USD. Resale: $200 - $350 USD depending on the inclusion of the shoulder strap.
Care & Maintenance
Apply a specialized leather cream every 6 months to maintain suppleness. Store stuffed with acid-free tissue paper to maintain the trapeze shape when not folded.
Similar Handbags
Longchamp Le Pliage Neo (Satin Nylon), Louis Vuitton Speedy 25 (more structured), and the MZ Wallace Crosby (quilted nylon alternative).
Interesting Facts
The 'Cuir' version was designed to solve the problem of leather bags being too heavy for travel; it is specifically engineered to be as light as its nylon counterpart.