Caring for your designer pieces

1. Storage

Proper storage for your items is critical to ensuring it remains protected between uses. Long periods of storage can lead to heavy creasing or cracking throughout leather. To ensure your pieces remain in pristine condition between wear, ensure you store them how you would like them to look next time you use them. We suggest using a bag insert or stuffed pillow case to ensure the structure remains intact. 

The other common problem we encounter with wardrobe storage is the presence of mould leaving your pieces stained and stinky. But why does it happen? We often take our bags out, wear them and then put them back into the closet for next time. What we don't usually consider is the bacteria that is left on the bag when we put it back into storage. Remnants of food and dirt left in the bag with the right conditions such as a hot day will promote mould growth. To avoid this, ensure you clean and air dry your items before putting them back into the wardrobe especially if used during a wet day! Sufficient airflow and sunlight will also help to keep mould away in the wardrobe. 

2. Maintenance 

Designer timepieces are an investment and in order to uphold their condition and value requires maintenance and care. For all your leather handbags, shoes and accessories you should look to apply a leather conditioner once a year. This will allow the leather to remain supple and maintain its colour and shape.

Gold, silver or Palladium all hardware is exposed to general scuffing and wear. Investing in a polishing cloth can help to buff and shine your hardware whilst preventing oxidation. 

3. During wear care 

Whilst out and about unexpected weather and situations including hand sanitiser are all considerations with a timepiece. Caught in the rain? Always having a rain protector stored in your bag will help to provide protection through the wet. Worried about moisture or wear to your handles? Look at wrapping a scarf or twilly around your bag to minimise the wear to highly used areas. 

4. Emergency care 

Sometimes accidents happen. I’m sure at one time or another we have found a stray pen rumbling through the bottom of our bag or coffee spilt over white lambskin. Either way in emergencies make sure to remove any excess residue so that it does not do any further damage. It is important if you have a leather piece especially light in colour that you do not do any home remedies that will discolour or peel any of the original colour or leather, too often people will rub vinegars over one spot on the bag damaging the original pigmentation and materials. 

5. Bag Spa

If you find yourself in an emergency situation taking your items to a bga spa or professional is highly recommended. They are able to lift almost any stain and odur whilst maintaining the natural integrity of your designer items.

Aside from emergency situations, bag spa’s are the ultimate way to treat your pieces. Deep spa clean’s will help to rejuvenate your bag making it feel like new again or personalise your piece by completely recolouring it! Either way we recommend sending your piece to the bag spa every 2-5 years to maintain the best condition for your pieces.