Massaccesi Handbags

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#13,291
Barefootgirl said:
Just received my Arianna today in blue Africa, lovely bag, well made....really big, I should have realized the top width was quite a bit more than the base....really works now as a laptop bag instead.

What other Massaccesi bags should I be looking at for crossbody, not too big, not too small. I keep looking at the website, can't seem to figure this out lol.
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Definitely Aura. [emoji4] I love mine. [emoji4] I have the normal size. Not the Grand one. [emoji4]

Edit to add* Or Zhoe Legend?
 
#13,292
Claudia Herzog said:
I need some advice. I must sheepishly admit I have blemished beloved Lucy, my sole Massaccesi handbag, a Midi Selene in bronze Africa. I severely injured my ankle, and on one of my first days using the knee scooter, I felt too off-balance carrying a bag on my shoulder so I slung Lucy across the handlebars and she ran afoul of one of the scooter's front wheels. I added red lines to point out the location of the marks in case they're not clear on the photo. I've got a few questions:

1) Can anybody tell if the black color is a mark added *on top of* the bronze Africa, and therefore should be able to rub off, or if it is a scuff that cuts *into* the bronze Africa and therefore cannot be cleaned off?

2) If it is the former, what should I use to try to clean it off? I very gingerly tried to use a leather prep spray, but that didn't work.

3) Since this is metallic leather, are there any special precautions I should take in trying to deal with these black marks? The marks are on the back and bottom so are not noticeable when I carry the bag, maybe I should just leave it alone and not try to fix it.

4) Or should I be asking these questions in the handbag maintenance and repair thread? I just thought the bronze Africa was a unique enough leather that I'd start with the Massaccesi experts first.

View attachment 3670424
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From the photo, I'd say it was a mark added on top of the leather, but I would absolutely check with Marco/Colette about what to do. Most things have come off my Deep Blue Africa with gentle perseverance, with the exception of one tiny flesh-tinted streak, probably makeup. I would probably try a bit of diluted dish detergent and a q tip or edge of my (soft) nail to start with, followed by something like Blackrock Leather n Rich. Do NOT trust your local leather person! This is a very special leather, so treat it accordingly! But also don't worry too much, as it is also as tough as it is beautiful....
 
#13,293
Barefootgirl said:
Just received my Arianna today in blue Africa, lovely bag, well made....really big, I should have realized the top width was quite a bit more than the base....really works now as a laptop bag instead.

What other Massaccesi bags should I be looking at for crossbody, not too big, not too small. I keep looking at the website, can't seem to figure this out lol.
Click to expand...
I have an Arianna, and at first I thought it was big. I'm realizing now that although it is wide along the top, it isn't quite as high as I'd thought originally, and it is much narrower than say my Midi Zip Selene. It carries wonderfully, and I'd say it was a larger medium bag, rather than a smaller large one.

I use my Midi Zip Selene as a cross-body, for which I ordered a Messenger strap. It is deceptively roomy, and is my all time favorite bag design! So much so, I ordered another!
 
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#13,294
Claudia Herzog said:
I need some advice. I must sheepishly admit I have blemished beloved Lucy, my sole Massaccesi handbag, a Midi Selene in bronze Africa. I severely injured my ankle, and on one of my first days using the knee scooter, I felt too off-balance carrying a bag on my shoulder so I slung Lucy across the handlebars and she ran afoul of one of the scooter's front wheels. I added red lines to point out the location of the marks in case they're not clear on the photo. I've got a few questions:

1) Can anybody tell if the black color is a mark added *on top of* the bronze Africa, and therefore should be able to rub off, or if it is a scuff that cuts *into* the bronze Africa and therefore cannot be cleaned off?

2) If it is the former, what should I use to try to clean it off? I very gingerly tried to use a leather prep spray, but that didn't work.

3) Since this is metallic leather, are there any special precautions I should take in trying to deal with these black marks? The marks are on the back and bottom so are not noticeable when I carry the bag, maybe I should just leave it alone and not try to fix it.

4) Or should I be asking these questions in the handbag maintenance and repair thread? I just thought the bronze Africa was a unique enough leather that I'd start with the Massaccesi experts first.

View attachment 3670424
Click to expand...

Agree that looks like rubber marks on the bag. I can see how gentle lotion wouldn't work, you would need something tougher, like saddle soap maybe? WD-40 is often recommended for taking off rubber and glue residue but I wouldn't risk it unless as a last resort. Africa is a tough leather but I would worry about taking off the finish.
 
#13,295
Barefootgirl said:
Just received my Arianna today in blue Africa, lovely bag, well made....really big, I should have realized the top width was quite a bit more than the base....really works now as a laptop bag instead.

What other Massaccesi bags should I be looking at for crossbody, not too big, not too small. I keep looking at the website, can't seem to figure this out lol.
Click to expand...

I was also kind of shocked at how wide the opening goes on the Arianna, very east west, but because not very deep and high, it doesn't carry anymore than a selene midi for example. I still love my celeste athene Arianna, I just wish the visual footprint was not so giant at the top because I don't see a purse when I look at it, I see a travel bag or utilitarian work bag, carry on, etc. I would want it to be a roomy purse, in line with its carrying capacity. It looks so much bigger than it actually can fit stuff inside. Kind of like the angel midi which looks roomy but because the side pleats are not usable space, it's my only bag that I can't fit my organizer into, even though if you look at them next to each other it seems about the same size as the others that all do fit the organizer. I guess I'm a sucker for the selene midi which is "deceptively roomy", and other such bags like the midi divina. If a bag is deceptively un-spacious, it definitely is a flaw in my opinion. Luckily my midi angel and Arianna are in such gorgeous leathers and so pretty that I forgive them and gladly keep them. But the models are not slam dunks for me and I have no interest in getting more of them, the way the midi selene is.
 
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#13,298
Claudia Herzog said:
I need some advice. I must sheepishly admit I have blemished beloved Lucy, my sole Massaccesi handbag, a Midi Selene in bronze Africa. I severely injured my ankle, and on one of my first days using the knee scooter, I felt too off-balance carrying a bag on my shoulder so I slung Lucy across the handlebars and she ran afoul of one of the scooter's front wheels. I added red lines to point out the location of the marks in case they're not clear on the photo. I've got a few questions:

1) Can anybody tell if the black color is a mark added *on top of* the bronze Africa, and therefore should be able to rub off, or if it is a scuff that cuts *into* the bronze Africa and therefore cannot be cleaned off?

2) If it is the former, what should I use to try to clean it off? I very gingerly tried to use a leather prep spray, but that didn't work.

3) Since this is metallic leather, are there any special precautions I should take in trying to deal with these black marks? The marks are on the back and bottom so are not noticeable when I carry the bag, maybe I should just leave it alone and not try to fix it.

4) Or should I be asking these questions in the handbag maintenance and repair thread? I just thought the bronze Africa was a unique enough leather that I'd start with the Massaccesi experts first.

View attachment 3670424
Click to expand...

So sorry this happened. I would consult Colette so she can engage Marco on a cleaning recommendation.
 
#13,300
Thank you for the comments on the Arianna, at least I know I am not the only one with this impression and thanks for the other suggestions. I will keep her as my laptop bag and so the search for the Holy Grail continues....The Holy Grail remains an image in my mind. One day I will find her and when I do, I will buy as many as I can :smile:

I hope more photos of the new Juliet bag are shown soon.

Kind of like the same way I feel about sandals.
PEACE! (still carrying the MZ Wallace, must transition to Spring!)

PS - am I the only one who approaches strangers and asks them questions about their bags? LOL
 
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#13,302
Thank you all for your advice and insights. I will consult with Colette and Marco regarding the rubber marks on the bronze Africa.
Giving my favorite handbag a name was inspired by Moonfancy, who posted prolifically and enthusiastically in the early days of the Massaccesi thread, but seems to have disappeared. If I remember correctly, Moonfancy has an eye-popping gold Soulmate with bespoke studs on the bottom, which she lovingly named Katia.
 
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#13,303
Claudia Herzog said:
Thank you all for your advice and insights. I will consult with Colette and Marco regarding the rubber marks on the bronze Africa.
Giving my favorite handbag a name was inspired by Moonfancy, who posted prolifically and enthusiastically in the early days of the Massaccesi thread, but seems to have disappeared. If I remember correctly, Moonfancy has an eye-popping gold Soulmate with bespoke studs on the bottom, which she lovingly named Katia.
Click to expand...

Yes! I'm not big on metallic, but seriously, There're Katia and another Soulmate Bronze Africa that are totally out of this world! They just look seriously rich and wow! My eyes practically turned into heart-shape since then.
 
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#13,304
Claudia Herzog said:
I need some advice. I must sheepishly admit I have blemished beloved Lucy, my sole Massaccesi handbag, a Midi Selene in bronze Africa. I severely injured my ankle, and on one of my first days using the knee scooter, I felt too off-balance carrying a bag on my shoulder so I slung Lucy across the handlebars and she ran afoul of one of the scooter's front wheels. I added red lines to point out the location of the marks in case they're not clear on the photo. I've got a few questions:

1) Can anybody tell if the black color is a mark added *on top of* the bronze Africa, and therefore should be able to rub off, or if it is a scuff that cuts *into* the bronze Africa and therefore cannot be cleaned off?

2) If it is the former, what should I use to try to clean it off? I very gingerly tried to use a leather prep spray, but that didn't work.

3) Since this is metallic leather, are there any special precautions I should take in trying to deal with these black marks? The marks are on the back and bottom so are not noticeable when I carry the bag, maybe I should just leave it alone and not try to fix it.

4) Or should I be asking these questions in the handbag maintenance and repair thread? I just thought the bronze Africa was a unique enough leather that I'd start with the Massaccesi experts first.

View attachment 3670424
Click to expand...
Also, did you try using Goo-gone? Or Woolite for delicates (1 part Woolite to 10 parts water)?
But do follow Marco and/or Colette's advice....
 
#13,305
Barefootgirl said:
Thank you for the comments on the Arianna, at least I know I am not the only one with this impression and thanks for the other suggestions. I will keep her as my laptop bag and so the search for the Holy Grail continues....The Holy Grail remains an image in my mind. One day I will find her and when I do, I will buy as many as I can :smile:

I hope more photos of the new Juliet bag are shown soon.

Kind of like the same way I feel about sandals.
PEACE! (still carrying the MZ Wallace, must transition to Spring!)

PS - am I the only one who approaches strangers and asks them questions about their bags? LOL
Click to expand...
What would be your HG bag? Can you describe the features? I love analyzing handbags since I need to think long and hard before purchasing any..
 
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