How to care for “Exotic” leathers We were recently asked to write some guest blogs on various topics of “aftercare” for handbags. It was only a matter of time before the question of “exotics” came up, so we jumped at the chance when Melanie Mueller of MEL BOTERI asked us to write an article for her blog. The care of exotic skin handbags have be a problem for women all over the world for as long as designers have been crafting them. The scales lift and curl, the dye transfers, they stain with as little as a drop of water, the colour fades out easily, etc… with some much against them why are they so desirable?... Well, you only need to look at a well crafted crocodile or python skin handbag to answer that! They are a one-of-a-kind piece of wearable art, a totally unique piece of fashion. Lets be clear, we are not talking about a cow-hide that’s been pressed to look like a crocodile skin, we’re talking about the real deal! Python, Lizard, Crocodile, Alligator, Stingray, etc. However, without the correct aftercare regime, they can quickly become shabby and consigned to the back of the wardrobe! Exotic skins are very different from regular handbag leathers and as such require a more intense aftercare plan to keep them looking good. There are several problems that exotics suffer from, these being; 1) Dehydration. The moisture levels in the skin drop, causing the scales to separate, lift and curl. Once this happens you will never fully get it back to how it was originally, so its important to have a regular maintenance plan that involves gentle cleaning and rehydration creams. 2) Staining. Depending on the finish on the skin, they are prone to staining easily. You should employ the use of a quality protector, to minimize the risk of stains from body oil (handles), Denim Jean Dye and regular hazards, such as; wine, salad dressing and other liquids. 3) Sun Damage. The dyes used in the colouring of the skins are notoriously prone to “light fastness” which will cause the colour to fade from your bag if left in the sun or used excessively. Some products claim to have a UV filter to protect against this, but in reality they do not work. Unless you have a physical filter (like sun cream which is opaque) then they are ineffective. Your best bet is to keep it out of the sun. This may sound a little worrying if you just spent £1000 on an exotic skin handbag, but fear not! Exotics can be used daily and kept looking great, but they just require a little more care than a regular leather bag. If you aim to use an exotic regularly (daily use) then plan to give it some TLC each week or every two weeks at a push. Little and often is the key to exotic care! If you want more detailed advice or a specific guide for your bag then get in touch with us at thehandbagspa Written by – Lee Bryan of The Handbag Spa
Posted on: Fri, 13 Sep 2013 17:49:04 +0000
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