Loewe Craftsmanship and Leather Sourcing

[fsadeli]

I just bought a mini gate from Saks and I was on the way to church and was certain that my drink (just water) spilled inside my shopping bag since I was in a hurry and I didn't realize it until I got to the church and finish the service, took it out and there was a dollop of water sat on the top of the bag! I was worried since it was about more than an hour that the water sit on top of the leather and wondering if this is okay? It looks okay under naked eye, but I just worried that the leather deteriorate later on. Anyone has the same experience? The leather is the grainy type.

 

[muggles]

It looks fine! I would not worry about the water deterioration, the bag wasn’t soaked! I wouldn’t worry! Be happy!

 

[fsadeli]

It looks fine! I would not worry about the water deterioration, the bag wasn’t soaked! I wouldn’t worry! Be happy!

Thank you, I think if this is the type of leather then it should be more forgiving, imagine it on vachetta leather, it will break my heart

 

[totally]

I’ve been caught in the rain and snow several times with my smooth leather puzzles and have not had any issues.

 

[fsadeli]

I’ve been caught in the rain and snow several times with my smooth leather puzzles and have not had any issues.

that's reasurring, I guess this grainy leather is even more worry free and easy to maintain.

 

[despair]

I've carried my puzzles through much of the tropical climate in Singapore including sudden drizzles and never had an issue. Loewe's leathers have been super hard wearing for me!

 

[earthygirl]

I got caught in the rain today with my puzzle. This is not the first time I’ve worn it out in rainy weather and I have not had any problems with rain water affecting the leather. It never gets soaked but, I always wipe it down afterwards. It’s my only leather luxury bag that I would carry in the rain, because I know It’s a durable bag!

 

[Yinglin]

I live in Shanghai and let me tell you the weather here is crazy! it may be sunshine and super hot in the morning and all of a sudden lashing rain so I've been caught up in rain with my Loewe puzzles multiple times (I have a medium and a small both in smooth leather) and never had any issue. Loewe leather is awesome so I wouldn't worry too much. Enjoy your lovely bag in good health!

 

[Red Barchetta]

I have been caught in several rainstorms with my older smooth leather tan puzzle and have had no problems.

 

[Hermezzy]

Have any of you seen this blog? https://theleathercrafter.wordpress.com/2021/01/12/loewe-puzzle-bag-honest-review/

She has a number of reviews on her site about the quality of various designer bags. Spoiler alert: Mansur Gavriel and Balenciaga get torched...

But she makes two assertions in her review that I'm not sure are accurate:
1) she says the hardware is nickel-plated brass. One of our fellow posters here said Loewe silver HW is palladium-plated, per info from a Loewe SA.
2) she says the stitching is done by machine. This video shows hand stitching for the handle (but not the body of the bag)...

Finally, the leather quality...I've heard that Loewe uses leather from the same supplier as Hermes...

SO, does anyone know:
1) are Loewe bags stitched by hand or machine?
2) who supplies Loewe leather? Is it the same place that sends Hermes its leather?
3) Hardware: the Loewe site lists hardware as palladium for the color, but I wonder if it is palladium plated or just palladium in color.

Check out: https://www.savoirflair.com/fashion/106098/loewe-puzzle-bag This link says all sewing is done by hand (does that include/mean thread stitching?). Also says (for the puzzle) 41 pieces of leather are used and each bag takes 9 hrs to make. I have heard Birkins and Kellys take 2-3x that amount of time...and they are made by one person, whereas Loewe bags might involve more/a team? Not sure... I don't think Loewe bags have craftsman stamps like Hermes items do

Would love to hear some thoughts from others...

I always find it interesting to learn more about how the "HOW" behind the "WHAT".

 

[chrissiewong]

This video shows a girl visiting an LVMH event with a artisan making a Loewe gate on spot. I couldn’t see a sewing machine nor footages showing him sewing the leather together… but I don’t see a problem with using sewing machine to be honest. Dior cannage is made with sewing machines and it’s just perfection.

 

[Hermezzy]

Found another great youtube video. The first part of it shows a puzzle being assembled and shows how the artisans use a form-shaper box to assemble the rest of the bag around. You can hear them explain that the form-shaper is removed once the stitching is complete. Given that the stitching must be done around the form-shaper/box I can't see how a machine is used for the stitching...or, if one is used, it must be a pretty agile/flexible machine to get around all those corners...

 

[richharris75]

I watched that video that you have mentioned. Again it’s someone’s opinion. However what I can tell you from the many SA’s that I have spoken to is that - The puzzle is stitched by hand and the hardware is palladium plated.
Many of the SA’s have visited the atelier in Spain and watched the construction of their leather goods.

 

[Hermezzy]

I watched that video that you have mentioned. Again it’s someone’s opinion. However what I can tell you from the many SA’s that I have spoken to is that - The puzzle is stitched by hand and the hardware is palladium plated.
Many of the SA’s have visited the atelier in Spain and watched the construction of their leather goods.

Wonderful to hear and to know!!!!

 

[pinkrose398]

I watched that video that you have mentioned. Again it’s someone’s opinion. However what I can tell you from the many SA’s that I have spoken to is that - The puzzle is stitched by hand and the hardware is palladium plated.
Many of the SA’s have visited the atelier in Spain and watched the construction of their leather goods.

I love that the "silver" hardware is palladium plated. Not even Chanel's hardware is precious metal plated. I just bought a Puzzle bag in tan with the palladium hardware and I can't wait to get it!