To become a master leather craftsperson at Béatrice Amblard’s level—she’s now collaborating with Bergdorf Goodman in New York on a collection of women’s ready-made leather goods, and potentially launching a made-to-order men’s line—you have to be obsessive, although Amblard prefers to describe herself as a perfectionist. Granted, she’s French, so her aesthetic standards were already sky-high when she arrived in San Francisco in 1987 to serve as an Hermès “ambassador” at the company’s new Stockton Street store. After 14 years with the French luxury brand, she started her own workshop in SoMa. In 2000, she followed up with a store, April in Paris, in the Inner Richmond, bringing with her a passionate clientele of socialites (Ann Getty), fashion professionals (Tatiana Sorokko), and another arbiter of taste (Stanlee Gatti). Her custom designs, available in exotic skins such as crocodile and shagreen, include bags, belts, wallets, checkbook holders, tissue boxes, and even furniture. She believes the best way to keep old-world craftsmanship alive is to educate us all about the difference between luxury labels and true quality. April in Paris: 55 Clement St., 415-750-9910, aprilinparis.com

Amblard's obsessions

Authenticity: “I have a hard time buying clothing, because if I don’t spend $1,000, I can’t find anything I like. Even if you spend $1,000, it doesn’t mean it’s well made. I can’t find shoes worth the price, so I have mine made by Suzanne George.”

Her favorite design book: “I keep Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster, by Dana Thomas, on my display tables. I bought 15 copies and have given it to friends and clients.”

The bag craze: “It became more apparent after Louis Vuitton started pushing handbags and designer bags became a status symbol. But now there’s a shift: A certain type of woman who is maybe more mature wants things that are unusual.”

Fussing about food: “Ratatouille is one of the few movies I own! Even food is difficult for me, because I have such a standard. I only buy organic produce at an organic produce store where I live in the city of Richmond.”

“Made in China”: “A lot of luxury brands are creating bags with logos that lead people to believe they are being made in France or Italy. But if you look down in the bottom of the bag, there’s a label that says the inevitable.”

Home away from home: Amblard doesn’t starve living so far away from la véritable cuisine française, thanks to Le Charm French Bistro on Fifth Street and the baguettes at Fillmore’s Boulangerie.

Perfect hides: “I don’t allow for any flaws. We have to cut [each hide] in a certain way to make it durable.”

Stitches and knots: “We reinforce the stitching three times and tie a knot with every stitch. The edges are finished using a seven-step process.”