B. Makowsky

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J

Jessie Ann

New Member
Feb 27, 2009
3
0
#1
Hello!

This is my first time on this forum but wanted some expert advice on a new B. Makowsky I recently bought. If any of you have a Makowsky bag you know how soft and beautiful his leather is. This is the first nice purse I have owned and am very concerned about taking care of it properly. I live in the Northwest where we do get a lot of precipitation. My friend tole me to put a protectant on the bag so it would not get waterstains. I don't know if water would stain the bag or not... But reading other threads have heard that protectant is not the best thing sometimes as it could hinder with the natural wear of the leather. So it got me thinking that maybe I should just buy a cleaner and conditioner. As you can tell I have no idea what to do. Please help!! Thank you:confused1:
 
#2
I've never owned a B Makowsky bag but I've heard some very good reports. I think he's the husband of Kathy van Zeeland. I often use leather protectant on my bags as there's a lot of rain where I live in Ireland. But many people don't bother. I'd say all you have to do is check out the products at a good leather store. I think there's a lot of psychology behind the use of these products. We want them to work so they do! Just the same I enjoy having mine around and have used them since I was in my teens. Enjoy your new bag, and maybe post a pic when you've time?
 
#3
I've felt the new B. Makowsky leathers... His latest leathers feel more like a sueded nap, minimally textured leather. Very scrumptious and very interesting handfeel. To me they look and feel like what untreated/minimally treated leather should look like. By allowing it to age naturally, the leather will mellow into a rich deeper color when used. I'd caution you if you are going to put protectant on it to test it, do so in an inconspicuous spot. I have a feeling this kind of leather might not take the protectant well... but a cobbler might know for sure.
 
#5
Did your bag came with a warning about color transfer? I've seen that warning on his bags, and on another site, many customers have complained that the bags did indeed transfer color.
 
#6
I've owned many, many B. Makowsky bags, of all colors and I've never ever had a problem with either water staining or color transfer. They seem to all have been very well made, and all of mine have worn like iron. I like this line very much for the price. I think you will be very satisfied.
 
#7
Thank you very much for your help and replies! I LOVE the bag and am so glad that it is so well made. It feels like it would be hard to care for but like I said I have neve owned a nice handbag before and so have no idea. I will buy a conditioner like the Makowsky website said and take care of it that way. I want it to wear naturally so will probably not put a protectant on it. Thank you again! I am now a convert to nice purses....No way to go back. :tup:
 
#8
Congrats on your bag!!!

My purple satchel is afraid of the rain. I wish I had sprayed it before finding out. Sigh. I'm also bummed it is fading. But I know someone here with the same bag, and hers isn't fading. So a random bummer for my lovely bag.
 
#9
I just purchased the B Makowsky St Tropez hobo yesterday! Not only is it perforated but its also hibiscus color, the newer color in his line. I am really thrilled! Anyways, its my first B. Makowsky bag. I hesitated, to put down 275 +tax, but I just loved the color of the bag, in a deep pink. I also loved the hardware detailing. I'm glad you found a nice bag! :wlae:
 
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#10
Hey Jessie Ann....I LOOOOOOOOOVE my B Makowsky bag. Dunno the style number - it's the distressed silver with gold hardware. I ALSO live in the rainy NW and the weather hasn't effected the bag WHATSOEVER. It remains the mushy, squishy, heap of buttery leather that it was when brand new....despite our harsh elements. They are GREAT bags.....Enjoy!
 
#11
I have always spent too much money on purses. I saw the BM bags a year or two ago when a sales person at Nordstrom was trying to sell it to me as a new, hot bag. I did not like the finish, hardware color, etc.

All of a sudden there were a TON of styles that I would have bought. My opinion of the bags changed and it was tough to make a choice. I picked this great brown that looked like a brandy color, not mud, and had an outside pocket with a little drawstring. The handles were double but long enough to sit comfortably on the shoulder with room, even with a winter coat on. The inside had plenty of pockets, compartments, etc... and I just totally LOVED the bag without spending over $400! What a moment for me!

I, too, heard about the transfer notice on the bag, which wasn't on my bag when I bought it... fell off?? I was worried about transfer, so I was very careful when there was rain. Only one time after I washed my hands, the dampness left when I picked up my bag transferred the color to an ivory shirt I was wearing. It came out in the wash. The BIGGEST problem was when I slung the bag over my kitchen chair...

When I removed the bag, I noticed a brown stain across the back of the chair. Then I noticed another stain on the corner of a second chair. I realized that for no reason that I could think of (no moisture of any kind), the bag stained my vintage 50's vinyl dinette chairs! I was sick- the section that was light silver was the section with the stain. NOTHING removes the stain. I have tried everything you can think of and then some. Nordstrom took back the bag, but I have to replace the chairs!! I've written to the Makowsky/kathy zealand company and have gotten a few email back saying someone will get in touch with me. They haven't, and I am skeptical that they will.

The styles are really great! Maybe there will be less issue with different color bags, but I am only interested in brown tones and black. If I get brave during the spring/summer months, maybe I"ll try again with an ivory color. I am sick about this and cannot get any information out of the person who has written me, as to who to call or write directly. She just keeps telling me that 'someone will get back to you,' but no one has so far.

Just a word of caution... Buyer BEWARE and BE CAREFUL!:tdown:
 
#12
Thanks again for all your replies. I am so concerned because it is a lilac color, so it is very light and would show anything and everything that got on it. I have not experienced any color transfer but like I said it is a very light color. Here is my bag:
http://www.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=358924&PartnerID=FROOGLE&BannerID=PD220 in the lilac. So I am getting a little confused... Getting mixed reviews. I guess it is up to my judgement, I just don't want it to get ruined and I really don't want to take the natural wear of the leather away. I will condition it and if it starts to show things I will get a protectant. Thank you again!
 
#14
I love my 2 makowsky bags! I have the black Eden shopper tote and the Jakarta. I haven't noticed either having color transfer problems. I have one in black and one in a vachetta tan leather. I am worried about treating the tan one because it's like a soft buttery suede-ish leather. I'm super anal about my bags and don't want anything to get on it.

Whenever I go out, my bags get to sit in a chair too!!
 
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