Leather is the cornerstone of Adan Ballou, and is viewed as a malleable medium rather than a material. How the leather will "break" to the owner's use is always contemplated. Consider how a well-worn pair of shoes becomes pliable to it's host foot, or couch conforms to the user's shape. This is what sets leather apart from other materials and gives it life.
Adan Ballou uses many of the leather molding, cutting, trimming and finishing methods employed by western saddle-smiths, including the old-world, nearly lost tradition of making and using leather braiding and lacing. Experimental endeavours with natural dying , and infusion techniques result in leather finishes that are unique to Adan Ballou, and push the boundaries of what has come to be defined as "haute-cuir."
The metal elements of Adan Ballou products command as much attention as the material it adorns. The use of lost wax casting allows a level of intricate detailing seen in sculpture and jewelry. In tandem with other ancient metalsmith methods, such as sand-casting and forging, these processes create individual pieces, unique to each product, allowing the wearer to have a one of a kind experience.
Finishing elements take lessons learned from couture. Linings are tailored to each bag, without consideration of mass production, but rather owner's aesthetic appreciation and expected usage, and are hand-stitched and matted to the leather in a traditional manner.