Origin

• The word "suede" is French for "Swedish," where historians believe suede treatment was conceived.
  
  

Sources

• Suede is typically calf or sheepskin, pigskin and sometimes cowhide for heavier uses like upholstery.
  
  

Splitting

• Hides are split by removing a layer of the rough flesh side, leaving a thinner hide with a smooth finish (the grain side). In creating suede, the flesh side, not the grain side, is the finished side.
  
  

Faux

• Suede is expensive, difficult to clean and fairly delicate. Microfiber faux suede is a very good approximation of real suede leather, and has enabled the fashion industry to make practical suede-like garments.
  
  

Nubuck

• Nubuck is suede-like, but the nap is produced on the stronger grain side. Nubuck is a stronger leather, and so is favored in upholstery and in shoe production.