Chatting all things handbag care with Sandy from Moja Bag Repair-
The interview: Part One.
We have a great treat for you this week with Part One of our extensive interview with industry leading handbag care specialist Sandy Tuzemen from Moja Repair.
We got the low down on everything you need to know about luxury handbag spas and restoration tips and suggestions. Grab a coffee and take a read.
- What are the most common types of issues that owners of luxury bags face and require repair?
One of the most common problems encountered in the bag spa world is almost consistently damage to handbag handles where paint/leather is peeling off or there is wear and damage to handbags corners.
Leather can dry out during use and UV light also contributes to this damage too. We rub the leather naturally during use of our bags and that too can cause the colour to flake off. That is the reason it is so important to take care of all leather items
From time to time one should clean their handbag with a damp cloth or use professional leather handbag products and kits. Never aggressively rub the leather because you could take off the colour and create scratches on leather.
Another frequent problem is scuffed handbag handles, that is the reason why people use Twillys on their Hermès bags with the scarf positioned around the handles. These are dual purpose in that they are beautiful and stylish and can be combined with any outfit, whilst protecting the handbag handles simultaneously.
- What are the differences between repairing luxury bags and regular bags? Are there specific challenges associated with high-quality bags?
The difference between regular repair companies and professional bag spa restoration companies is definitely with quality of service offered.
Professionals always pay particular attention to detail, we try to make the handbags we work on as new as possible.
Another aspect is around colour restoration, regular repair outlets can’t retain the original colour of the handbag. I’ve encountered many times that the shade of the paint used at these regular outlets was not a good match and the quality of the colour used looked very plastic, which of course can create the effect that people think the bag is a fake.
Also, specific luxury models have specific defects that we as specialists know about and know how to treat the leather to prevent further wear and tear.
For example, the Lady Dior bag, the leather around the zipper is often more stressed and requires special treatment or the iconic Louis Vuitton Vachetta, can be lightened, but only true professionals know how to do that. We specialists can handle these types of situations with ease due to our years of experience.
I also think that if you love what you do, you do it perfectly. As a collector and craft professional, I have a huge passion for looking at things differently. The most important thing with designer pieces is that by restoring them, we increase the value of the handbag, but only if the restoration is identical to the original, only a true professional service can do that.
- What are the most common materials used in luxury bags and how do they impact the repair process?
The most popular material is leather. The Chanel brand is very well known for its lambskin leather because of its softness and its lightweightness. However, this leather is very delicate and prone to damage such as scuffs and scratches.
Goat leather is cheaper than lambskin and is getting my second luxury leather place. The leather is also very soft, light and flexible. The plus is that the goat leather is water resistant, which is well known in all luxury designer houses. It can also be found in the Hermès boutiques.
The famous Louis Vuitton Vachetta leather is cowhide. It is naturally tanned leather, the leather is not water resistant and so you have to be very careful not to stain it with natural body oils or oils on your hands, as it will develop a patina on the leather.
The patina is a beautiful pewter layer that forms on the surface of the leather. It's something that gives the leather character and speaks to the little history of the handbag, which I personally love.
- What are the most frequent repair services offered in your store?
Colour touch ups are very popular, in small areas like the corners of the handbag. Partial colouration can be done on the handles and full colouration of the entire handbag, if required.
We often offer an exterior and interior cleaning service for all types of materials, so it is advantageous to use handbag inserts/organisers for your handbags. Your handbag will not only be tidy and free of dirt, but will also hold its shape beautifully. These are available from Bag Pillow.
- What is the process for repairing luxury bags?
The most important thing is to analyse the leather properly and to determine the most appropriate cleaning and colouring technique. It is also necessary to mix the colour initially, which must be exactly the same colour as the original colour of the handbag. This will ensure that the value of the handbag will not decrease following the visit to the bag spa.
- Are there specific steps that owners should understand?
There are no specific steps that the customer should know. It is necessary to trust your chosen restoration company and I always stay in touch with my clients to send them pictures and/or videos during the restoration process to keep them informed.
- What type of tools and techniques are necessary for high-quality repairs on luxury bags?
Every restoration company has its own secret products and techniques, it’s like their ‘secret sauce’, I cannot share that with you!
- How can owners maintain their luxury bags in good condition to avoid frequent repairs?
I regularly encounter clients that store their luxury handbags wrongly. One should always use a breathable dust bag or a handbag cape from Bag Pillow. Direct sunlight is always a threat. Direct sunlight causes drying and cracking of the handbags skin because the sun's heat causes the skin's natural oils to evaporate. It can also fade the colour on the leather or fabric, especially if they are dark.
Another common mistake is storing the handbag empty, when often the handbag then loses its shape or leather cracks are created. Simply fill the handbag with the appropriate Bag Pillow.
We often also forget about handbag hardware, when incorrect storage can lead to imprints in the leather/fabric which is hard to remove, another prevention is to wrap your chain in a protective chain cover from Bag Pillow.
Humidity increases the chance of mould and also can cause rusting on metal parts. Extreme cold weather can cause damage to the leather and smells like mould or mildew can happen. Keep your handbag in a dark and dry storage place, away from direct sunlight.
Regularly we see the Chanel double flap inner two pockets have problems with moisture and breathability, in this case it is useful to use silica pockets in the handbag, (which I recommend for all handbags), these are available from www.bagpillow.com
Tune in next week to learn more in Part Two of this exciting interview from Sandy at Moja Repair.
Yours Stylishly,
Daniela & Ciara