H Barenia / Patina Question

[peonies13]

Can anyone comment on barenia patina over time? I am considering purchasing a barena B35 and I've only seen the leather once in person so I am a bit nervous.

From what I understand, patina can look like this after only a handful of years (the first 2 photos included below are from that link)... I love that deep beautiful shine... this bag I'm considering (the rest of the photos below) is 22 years old (1998) but seems not very patina'd however it is stained. I prefer a bag that looks lived in and loved as opposed to pristine and new, however I don't want it to permanently look stained.

Can anyone chime in if they think a spa visit would help 1. those dark stains on the front and 2. the half moon black mark under the twist-lock and 3. the vertical lines on the back? Also does anyone know if you can use oils / creams or such to help the patina develop?

Thanks and sorry if this post is in the wrong spot!

 

[Chagall]

I don’t think I am much use as a barenia bag is on my Hermes wish list but not in my possession lol. The only item I have in barenia is the watch strap on my Hermes Apple Watch. I can say that it gets constant use and so far, no stains. Even when it gets wet it dries with no mark. Scratches just rub out. In answer to your question, I think I saw a past post where spa was able to remove some stains.

 

[QuelleFromage]

Well, first of all, the reason that bag is priced at close to half of the retail price is because of the stains, so my guess is the seller could not get them out. You can ask if they've tried. That said, it's still a beautiful bag and Barenia is definitely not for perfectionists. The striations (lines on the back) are in the leather and will never go away, and are common in Barenia, so it's possible this leather is not for you. Or, perhaps you want to try for a new boutique bag and just try hard to avoid anything oily or greasy, which is what makes permanent stains on Barenia.

The bag you posted from PB as a patina example is said to be 7 years old and the owner's pretty detailed that they beat it up a lot. You can speed up patina in Barenia with the "passage au savon", the glycerine soap treatment that you would give to a saddle - some H craftspeople will do this for you. Many here use the Hermes saddle baume to treat their bags. The bag you are looking at could probably benefit from a little moisturizing to get that deeper glow. Personally my Barenia B is now almost three years old and I'm letting patina happen naturally without soap or baume. I just rub it with my hands a lot

There is an Ode to Barenia and a ton of threads on this leather...this is a good start to learn if this is a path you want to take - HTH

 

[peonies13]

I don’t think I am much use as a barenia bag is on my Hermes wish list but not in my possession lol. The only item I have in barenia is the watch strap on my Hermes Apple Watch. I can say that it gets constant use and so far, no stains. Even when it gets wet it dries with no mark. Scratches just rub out. In answer to your question, I think I saw a past post where spa was able to remove some stains.

Thank you - good to know the watch strap is holding up well with water

Well, first of all, the reason that bag is priced at close to half of the retail price is because of the stains, so my guess is the seller could not get them out. You can ask if they've tried. That said, it's still a beautiful bag and Barenia is definitely not for perfectionists. The striations (lines on the back) are in the leather and will never go away, and are common in Barenia, so it's possible this leather is not for you. Or, perhaps you want to try for a new boutique bag and just try hard to avoid anything oily or greasy, which is what makes permanent stains on Barenia.

The bag you posted from PB as a patina example is said to be 7 years old and the owner's pretty detailed that they beat it up a lot. You can speed up patina in Barenia with the "passage au savon", the glycerine soap treatment that you would give to a saddle - some H craftspeople will do this for you. Many here use the Hermes saddle baume to treat their bags. The bag you are looking at could probably benefit from a little moisturizing to get that deeper glow. Personally my Barenia B is now almost three years old and I'm letting patina happen naturally without soap or baume. I just rub it with my hands a lot

There is an Ode to Barenia and a ton of threads on this leather...this is a good start to learn if this is a path you want to take - HTH

This is AWESOME advice, thank you! Appreciate knowing the lines on back are part of the leather. My understanding about barenia is that it's an ultra "perfect" leather (in terms of variation within the skin) but maybe that's not true? I don't mind things like veins if I know they're meant to be there

I am totally ok with an imperfect bag - that is totally the appeal of barenia for me. I am a perfectionist but I keep myself in check by having my things not be too perfect! However preloved barenia is hard to come by so perhaps I'll consider buying new and enjoy the prospect of building the patina myself. Did you get your B30 new? In any case if I do go preloved, I think I will probably look for a less stained one as you suggested - I love scratches, shine, patina etc. but oil stains bug me. I really appreciate your perspective here.

Is Passage au Savon an actual product (this? https://www.hermes.com/us/en/product/saddle-balm-H800327Ev00/) do you just mean the act of applying soap/balm to a leather? I will check out the barenia thread too - thanks

 

[QuelleFromage]

Thank you - good to know the watch strap is holding up well with water



This is AWESOME advice, thank you! Appreciate knowing the lines on back are part of the leather. My understanding about barenia is that it's an ultra "perfect" leather (in terms of variation within the skin) but maybe that's not true? I don't mind things like veins if I know they're meant to be there

I am totally ok with an imperfect bag - that is totally the appeal of barenia for me. I am a perfectionist but I keep myself in check by having my things not be too perfect! However preloved barenia is hard to come by so perhaps I'll consider buying new and enjoy the prospect of building the patina myself. Did you get your B30 new? In any case if I do go preloved, I think I will probably look for a less stained one as you suggested - I love scratches, shine, patina etc. but oil stains bug me. I really appreciate your perspective here.

Is Passage au Savon an actual product (this? https://www.hermes.com/us/en/product/saddle-balm-H800327Ev00/) do you just mean the act of applying soap/balm to a leather? I will check out the barenia thread too - thanks

I did get my Birkin (it's a 35) new, but given that the leather marks up immediately, it's smart to buy preloved (I just could not say no lol). Especially because Barenia is expensive, like Box. If you can find a bag without a big mark on it like that one has you will probably be a lot happier
The skins are perfect in the sense that the surface needs to be perfect, whereas a grained leather is more forgiving, but the color isn't usually perfectly even and striations (they aren't veins per se) are usual.

The "passage au savon" is treatment with the glycerine soap that you can buy for a saddle (you can find it on the website). I haven't done it yet and probably won't, but my local craftsman says it will darken the bag evenly. My bag has stayed a light caramel and I am ok with that til it darkens naturally. The saddle baume is another option that I know a lot of tPFers have done.

Good luck on your Barenia hunt!

 

[peonies13]

I did get my Birkin (it's a 35) new, but given that the leather marks up immediately, it's smart to buy preloved (I just could not say no lol). Especially because Barenia is expensive, like Box. If you can find a bag without a big mark on it like that one has you will probably be a lot happier
The skins are perfect in the sense that the surface needs to be perfect, whereas a grained leather is more forgiving, but the color isn't usually perfectly even and striations (they aren't veins per se) are usual.

The "passage au savon" is treatment with the glycerine soap that you can buy for a saddle (you can find it on the website). I haven't done it yet and probably won't, but my local craftsman says it will darken the bag evenly. My bag has stayed a light caramel and I am ok with that til it darkens naturally. The saddle baume is another option that I know a lot of tPFers have done.

Good luck on your Barenia hunt!

Thanks for the tip that striations are normal in the coloring. I like having appropriate expectations. Based on what you said I will continue to look preloved. Are you open to sharing a photo of how yours looks after 3yrs?

Ooh how do you like the B35 vs the B30? I've never seen a B35 in person so it'd be a bit of a risk. I'm 5'7" and posted a photo of me with the B30 on another thread about K sizing (that I think you commented on?)

Did you request barenia for your B or was it just offered to you?

I didn't realize barenia and box are more expensive but it makes sense But it's all relative right... according to the pricing thread it looks like it's maybe $1-2k more than some close to pricing of others.. but not all the numbers line up... do different stores have difference prices?
03/25 Barenia Faubourg GHW $12,200 US
04/29 Veau Fauve Barenia GHW €8850 (About $10k according to today's xch - my guess is this is very low, the B35 is listed at $13,300 on 3/28 and only $300 more than the barenia veau fauve)
05/20 Togo $10,900 USD
06/14 Novillo $11,000 USD
08/1 Chèvre USD $11,400
08/07 Box $13200

This must be the saddle soap you mentioned yes? https://www.hermes.com/us/en/product/glycerin-soap-H800101Ev00/

 

[peonies13]

BTW @QuelleFromage I know H spa won't take bags that have been worked on by others. Do you know if doing conditioning yourself to your own bag will make a bag ineligible for spa (should you need to send it in down the road)?

 

[QuelleFromage]

I paid $13,100 before tax for my Barenia B35 a few years ago. People are not always careful in the pricing thread but it’s maybe 1.5k more than Togo for a B35.
I was offered Barenia because all my SAs know I love it, so I tend to get a call when it comes in.

I condition most of my bags and haven’t had trouble with spa. I don’t think they care if you moisturize, it’s about coloring and repairs...but of course I don’t recommend anyone take risks

 

[acrowcounted]

Thanks for the tip that striations are normal in the coloring. I like having appropriate expectations. Based on what you said I will continue to look preloved. Are you open to sharing a photo of how yours looks after 3yrs?

Ooh how do you like the B35 vs the B30? I've never seen a B35 in person so it'd be a bit of a risk. I'm 5'7" and posted a photo of me with the B30 on another thread about K sizing (that I think you commented on?)

Did you request barenia for your B or was it just offered to you?

I didn't realize barenia and box are more expensive but it makes sense But it's all relative right... according to the pricing thread it looks like it's maybe $1-2k more than some close to pricing of others.. but not all the numbers line up... do different stores have difference prices?
03/25 Barenia Faubourg GHW $12,200 US
04/29 Veau Fauve Barenia GHW €8850 (About $10k according to today's xch - my guess is this is very low, the B35 is listed at $13,300 on 3/28 and only $300 more than the barenia veau fauve)
05/20 Togo $10,900 USD
06/14 Novillo $11,000 USD
08/1 Chèvre USD $11,400
08/07 Box $13200

This must be the saddle soap you mentioned yes? https://www.hermes.com/us/en/product/glycerin-soap-H800101Ev00/

Different countries have different prices beyond just currency exchange rates which is why you need to compare only in your home currency to be applicable. Taxes, tariffs, distribution costs, retail costs, demand, and the apparent desire to want to be more accessible to their home population (France/Europe) factor in in mysterious ways.

 

[momoc]

Just want to point out that pricing is very different for US and Europe. It’s a LOT more expensive in the US so don’t compare using exchange rates, will make you wish that you live in France at least it’s not the worst (I think some Asian countries are even higher)

ETA: oops I see I got beaten to the point
But yeah generally speaking only compare the prices in your currency

 

[peonies13]

I paid $13,100 before tax for my Barenia B35 a few years ago. People are not always careful in the pricing thread but it’s maybe 1.5k more than Togo for a B35.
I was offered Barenia because all my SAs know I love it, so I tend to get a call when it comes in.

I condition most of my bags and haven’t had trouble with spa. I don’t think they care if you moisturize, it’s about coloring and repairs...but of course I don’t recommend anyone take risks

Wow you must've been a client for a long time that you get calls for specific bags. Are you a VIP? That'd be lovely to be in that position eventually I'm building up a rapport with a SA at my home store in CA and one in NYC where I work (long story) so hopefully these relationships will eventually bear fruit.

Thanks for the info about spa! I didn't consider that moisturizing your own bag is different than "repairing" a bag. It's so obvious when you say that

Different countries have different prices beyond just currency exchange rates which is why you need to compare only in your home currency to be applicable. Taxes, tariffs, distribution costs, retail costs, demand, and the apparent desire to want to be more accessible to their home population (France/Europe) factor in in mysterious ways.

Just want to point out that pricing is very different for US and Europe. It’s a LOT more expensive in the US so don’t compare using exchange rates, will make you wish that you live in France at least it’s not the worst (I think some Asian countries are even higher)

ETA: oops I see I got beaten to the point
But yeah generally speaking only compare the prices in your currency

@acrowcounted @momoc I realized my error after the fact I forgot about taxes/vat/import and just general USA pricing being high. Ahhhh, to be able to buy my dream bag(s) in Europe

 

[JelenaTasker]

9/03/2021 Just purchased B30 in Berania Faubourg GHW Fauve (California) and it is $12,300.

 

[peonies13]

9/03/2021 Just purchased B30 in Berania Faubourg GHW Fauve (California) and it is $12,300.

Lucky lucky you Share photos!!

I'm in CA too, would you mind sharing what boutique? Mine is SF and they say they never get barenia... I am a "newish" customer (of a few years) so I always took that to mean I wouldn't get an offer but wasn't positive.

 

[JelenaTasker]

Lucky lucky you Share photos!!

I'm in CA too, would you mind sharing what boutique? Mine is SF and they say they never get barenia... I am a "newish" customer (of a few years) so I always took that to mean I wouldn't get an offer but wasn't positive.

Yup - it was at South Coast Plaza and it was a push offer - meaning the Corp office sent it to the store randomly and my SA thought it was a perfect offer for me. She was 1000% right! ❤

Here is my newly formed holy trinity! ❤❤❤

 

[QuelleFromage]

Yup - it was at South Coast Plaza and it was a push offer - meaning the Corp office sent it to the store randomly and my SA thought it was a perfect offer for me. She was 1000% right! ❤

Here is my newly formed holy trinity! ❤❤❤

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BF is push offer now?