Massaccesi Handbags

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#35,626
Fancyfree said:
The shiny hardware on handbags is plated brass, i.e. brass covered with other metal alloys to look shiny and give the appearance of precious metals (silver, gold...). These shiny plated surfaces are always prone to scratching and wear. The cheaper the hardware, the poorer the quality, the more prone to scratching. Marco uses top-notch hardware.

Plain brass hardware has no metal plating on the surface so it is far less shiny. It can have a brushed or a completely smooth surface.
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Uncovered brass does tarnish, which gives it a rustic, aged patina.

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In fact, most brass hardware used for bags comes pre-tarnished from the factory.

On plain brass items where the designer does not want tarnishing, for instance some lamps or door bells, the brass is laquered to protect the surface from the air. Weirdly, most pre-tarnished hardware is also laquered! Probably to regulate the degree of tarnishing. It is a very fine, invisible but tough layer of laquer, and in my experience it causes no issues. As this laquer gradually wears away, the tarnishing will increase, adding to the vintage appearance.

Theoretically, one can polish off the tarnish. But on an exposed brass surface the tarnish will return. On handbags, the rub of the leather and our clothes will polish off some of the tarnish on prominant parts of the hardware.

Just like plated brass, plain brass does scratch.
Personally, I think scratches look fine on plain brass (just adds to the rustic, vintage look) but I am always a bit upset when I notice new scratches on my shiny, plated hardware...
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Thanks for the very detailed explanation. I equate weight with quality and I must say all of Marco's hardware feels very solid. I do get why the plain brass will look good in more rustic bag styles, but I generally shy away from rustic or rugged bags anyway. Plain brass is not for me, I like shiny hardware.
 
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#35,627
BittyMonkey said:
I am having a hard time visualizing Stardust in anything but the Clio for some reason. I don’t really want another Clio, even though it’s a great bag. I’m also not a tiny bag person. I think this might be overkill in something like Soulmate? I don’t know. I might just admire this one from afar.
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I want a Hera in the Pink Stardust, but I want to see a bigger picture of the leather first. I like bright colors and sparkle so to me it doesn't seem like overkill :lol:.
 
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#35,628
I ordered a soft Astra satchel in nut and dark taupe nappa and dark gunmetal hardware with no top handle and 2-way strap like a Frye ella.1608524457736.jpeg

And an orange tuscania top-zip Angelica. And a matching wrap bracelet for that bag. And I'm totally excited even though it will be almost March by the time they are in my grubby little paws.

I do wish to encourage you lovely MM lovers to pass along the bags you are ready to let go of on the BST!
 
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#35,629
SouthernPurseGal said:
I ordered a soft Astra satchel in nut and dark taupe nappa and dark gunmetal hardware with no top handle and 2-way strap like a Frye ella.View attachment 4934686

And an orange tuscania top-zip Angelica. And a matching wrap bracelet for that bag. And I'm totally excited even though it will be almost March by the time they are in my grubby little paws.

I do wish to encourage you lovely MM lovers to pass along the bags you are ready to let go of on the BST!
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I can’t wait to see your new bags! Your river blue vacchetta Astra is my favourite kind of navy, hope it will soften up soon so you get to enjoy it more. I’m also new to the MM journey, and have greatly benefitted from both the informational reviews/recommendations on this thread, and the BST where I scored a few beauties looking for a new home. Can’t wait to see your chocolate verona Selene midi as well.
 
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#35,630
I didn't quite like the Stardust when I first saw the blog entry, but somehow I find myself planning a Sabrina Midi in it. Initially I thought the shimmer look is too much for daily use, and I have no need for a formal/ evening bag. The more I look at it though, the more I feel like it is perfect for a Sabrina Midi. I have been wanting to get a Sabrina Midi but have not pulled the trigger because I cannot decide which leather to get it in.

So I'm leaning towards Green and Nut colourblocked Sabrina Midi now, with Sage Green lining. What do you all think of the hardware, should it be light gold or light gunmetal?
 

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#35,632
Thanks @jblended! Marco agrees with the light gold choice as the best match too. I've bit the bullet and ordered this bag even though I have no where to bring this to. Covid vaccinations are coming along though, so hopefully lots of opportunity to use this new bag next year.

More info from Marco on Stardust if anyone is still on the fence: Stardust is probably the lightest leather ever, but no worries about bags slouching too much or not holding its shape well. Marco said when they work with very light leathers, they always add extra backing depending on style, so that each style will always keep its correct look.

That was in response to me asking if a Sabrina Midi will slouch too much that it turns into a hobo shape, since Stardust is supposed to be very light and soft.

Cleda said:
Yes thanks for sharing! I saw this while researching the Sabrina style recently. These pictures were what made me wonder if I should change the strap attachment.

Below are the 2 main ways I will prefer to carry it. On the left, I noticed that the straps are not attached right at the end. That made me wonder if the double flap look on the right will cause one flap to push up against the straps on the 2 ends. Seems like it will indeed happen unless I change the strap attachment location.
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I had discussed this earlier as well, and finally decided that I really like the current position of the chain strap attachment. So even though the sides of the top flap may lift a little, I don't mind it too much, especially with a very light leather like Stardust, which Marco said it will never be stiff to the point where the top flap is not able to lay down well.
 
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#35,633
southernbelle43 said:
Here it is from the world's worst mod shot person. I knotted the strap (got the idea from Proenza Schouler bags) because I hate cross body carry. But I do love this bag. I am 5'6" . My weight is NOT publishable after nine months of Covid pigging out.
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Thank you! You look perfectly fine and chic with the pop of colour and the black outfit!
 
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#35,635
Thanks to all for the comments.

I tried to tell Marco my specs for the leather shoulder strap of Sabrina midi, i.e. to be able to carry crossbody and shoulder carry like what @southernbelle43 did with the knotted strap. But he got all confused and indicated the specs as shorten the strap by 10". Hmmm..how should I tell me about this modification?

Also, the chain strap seems rather long for a short person like me at 154cm. Do you think shorten it by 3 inches will still be fine? Thanks!!
 
#35,637
Summer_J said:
Thanks to all for the comments.

I tried to tell Marco my specs for the leather shoulder strap of Sabrina midi, i.e. to be able to carry crossbody and shoulder carry like what @southernbelle43 did with the knotted strap. But he got all confused and indicated the specs as shorten the strap by 10". Hmmm..how should I tell me about this modification?

Also, the chain strap seems rather long for a short person like me at 154cm. Do you think shorten it by 3 inches will still be fine? Thanks!!
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Do you own a bag that is similar in size as Sabrina Midi? I find it easiest to gauge how long I want the strap to be by holding a measuring tape between the 2 ends of a bag with similar width, and placing the bag against myself. I usually request for shortened straps on most of the MM bags I've ordered as I like my bags to lie close to my body. I am also not tall, at 159cm. For Sabrina Midi, I did not request for any change in the chain strap though, it seems fine when I measured a bag I already own of a similar size. I did request for the crossbody strap to be the same length as the chain strap since I generally do not wear bags crossbody style.
 
#35,640
Cleda said:
Do you own a bag that is similar in size as Sabrina Midi? I find it easiest to gauge how long I want the strap to be by holding a measuring tape between the 2 ends of a bag with similar width, and placing the bag against myself. I usually request for shortened straps on most of the MM bags I've ordered as I like my bags to lie close to my body. I am also not tall, at 159cm. For Sabrina Midi, I did not request for any change in the chain strap though, it seems fine when I measured a bag I already own of a similar size. I did request for the crossbody strap to be the same length as the chain strap since I generally do not wear bags crossbody style.
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Thanks for the suggestion! I'd like to have the option of shoulder bag and crossbody aka the 2020 Gucci Jackie. But i think it is too troublesome to ask for that customization which will have additional cost too.
 
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