anyone have a Kooba - Rachel?

[TheGirlGotSoul]

I keep going back & forth about this bag. I just love it so much, but not really into the "crackle". It's a bit too shiny for my taste. If they made this bag in solid leather, I would buy one for sure.

[chunkymonkey]

Originally Posted by TheGirlGotSoul

I keep going back & forth about this bag. I just love it so much, but not really into the "crackle". It's a bit too shiny for my taste. If they made this bag in solid leather, I would buy one for sure.

It's really not as shiny as some of the stock photos show it to be. I'm not into shiny bags either, but I find Rachel to be the perfect amount of shininess :) I guess it's all the matter of personal taste.

[LindaP]

Originally Posted by chunkymonkey

It's really not as shiny as some of the stock photos show it to be. I'm not into shiny bags either, but I find Rachel to be the perfect amount of shininess :) I guess it's all the matter of personal taste.

Some of the pics scared me off at first because they made the bag look as shiny as patent. After receiving the bag I thought Luna Boston did the best job regarding the color of the bag and the level of shine.

Here is a close up of the 'crackle' effect, the lighting is terrible (cloudy day) but you can see the effect. I love it!! I gives the bag so much texture and variation of color. And yet it is not at all rough to the touch as it may look, it feels wonderful and has softened up with each use.





If you don't like any shine at all though and really prefer only a matte leather I would say it is not the bag for you.

Linda

[divabeadz]

I agree with Linda and ChunkyMonkey -- it's not nearly as shiny as it appears online and it is NOWHERE near as shiny as a patent leather. Also, the crackle pattern is interesting in that it doesn't seem to be a "crackle" in the leather, instead it's just a color variation on the leather if that makes sense. It's as if they aged the leather with slight color veining when they dyed it purple but the leather is all perfectly intact. The glazing makes it feel stiffer at first than regular leather, but after just a few wears you feel it relaxing into a softer leather (think of a new pair of dark wash Levis which feel fairly stiff at first...wear them a couple of times and they soften right up.)

TheGirlGotSoul, I think I would like another one if they ever made them in regular leather too -- a nice colorful leather, like red!

[aimala00]

Originally Posted by divabeadz

I agree with Linda and ChunkyMonkey -- it's not nearly as shiny as it appears online and it is NOWHERE near as shiny as a patent leather. Also, the crackle pattern is interesting in that it doesn't seem to be a "crackle" in the leather, instead it's just a color variation on the leather if that makes sense. It's as if they aged the leather with slight color veining when they dyed it purple but the leather is all perfectly intact. The glazing makes it feel stiffer at first than regular leather, but after just a few wears you feel it relaxing into a softer leather (think of a new pair of dark wash Levis which feel fairly stiff at first...wear them a couple of times and they soften right up.) TheGirlGotSoul, I think I would like another one if they ever made them in regular leather too -- a nice colorful leather, like red!

I totally agree w/ the other Rachel owners' comments about the leather. It's not really shiny at all. Does look more like a color variation, almost just a more worn in look. and yes, my Rachel is so much more soft and slouchy now that I've been using it daily for a few weeks. And I get SO many compliments on it, too. Also it hasn't clashed with anything, I've worn it with lots of different colors in both summer type clothes and winter clothes. (crazy weather where I live. hot one day then cold the next!!)

I would LOVE LOVE LOVE for them to release this bag in some more colors. Like a nice, rich red... mmmm!!!! I love my Rachel!! My Sienna is still my fave Kooba ever but this is becoming a very close 2nd.

[kings_20]

I am new to Kooba and after looking at pics and reading your guys' reviews on the Rachael, I want one. I love glazed leather and this purple/leather looks so unique.

Can someone post some modeling pics? Pretty please? :)

[LindaP]

Originally Posted by kings_20

I am new to Kooba and after looking at pics and reading your guys' reviews on the Rachael, I want one. I love glazed leather and this purple/leather looks so unique. Can someone post some modeling pics? Pretty please? :)

I have a modeling pic in my reveal thread -

My new Kooba Rachel reveal - Lots of pics!

For what it's worth here is a modeling pic from Luna Boston, I found that their pics best show the color of the bag out of all of those I saw online before purchasing.

I've seen this bag in a light brown...forget the website now, a major dept store. It wasn't as pretty as the purple or anthracite though. I'd love to see it in burgundy!

Linda

[kings_20]

^^

Thanks LInda!! Are the side zippers actual pockets?

[LindaP]

Originally Posted by kings_20

^^ Thanks LInda!! Are the side zippers actual pockets?

Yes, actual pockets! I stuff my receipts in there - shopping list, etc.

Linda

[kings_20]

^^

Love it!! Thanks Linda. I will be stalking this bag and hopefully can find one for a good price.

[divabeadz]

Originally Posted by LindaP

Yes, actual pockets! I stuff my receipts in there - shopping list, etc. Linda

You really use those side pockets??? I have yet to use them. When I had the halle bag I never used the decorative zipper pocket either. I do like to imagine that if I ever had some top secret business, like if I ever became a Charlies Angel or something, I would keep top secret stuff in there...lol! I like that they are actual pockets but I haven't had any need to use them yet.

[LindaP]

Originally Posted by divabeadz

You really use those side pockets??? I have yet to use them. When I had the halle bag I never used the decorative zipper pocket either. I do like to imagine that if I ever had some top secret business, like if I ever became a Charlies Angel or something, I would keep top secret stuff in there...lol! I like that they are actual pockets but I haven't had any need to use them yet.

Charlie's Angels, hahahaha!!! Give them a shot, they come in handy! I hate to stuff my reciepts and shopping lists into my bag along with everything else so if a bag has an outside zipper pocket I am going to use it.

Good luck on your hunt Kings_20!

Linda

[kings_20]

^^

Thanks Linda!! Please let me know if anyone spots one for a great price.

[Cornflower Blue]

No, I don't have one .... yet. But I will have by either the end of next week or the beginning of the week after!

I couldn't help it, I was seduced by LindaPs signature pic! Every time I saw it I thought 'What a gorgeous bag!', and of course one thing led to another. Saw it on Luna Bostons website and then the Black Friday deal was announced, and that was it! Between a mix of email and phone and a lot of nailbiting, I then got an email to say that it was mine! Can't wait! It looks like one beautiful bag - gorgeous style and lovely colour. It just looks fabulous imo!

[kings_20]

^^

Congrats CB!! I was being good and didn't even look on LB before the sale b/c I was going to be good. I too, was initially seduced by Linda's signature pic. Such a gorgeous bag.