Please help with My pre-loved Haute Maroquinerie

[samouu]

Hi TPF'ers,

I recently got this beautiful Haute Maroquinerie Noé in Taupe and it is indeed a beautiful piece! I find it so special knowing that it was made in the Asnières atelier (where Mr. Vuitton began) - Special thanks to member @BULL for your input that pushed me into buying it !

However, I realize that I don't enjoy using it because of the "very" worn parts... and I need your thoughts about this. Should I do it myself or give it to LV for a repair?

-The bottom of the bag (calf leather) and the inside of the bag (lambskin) are very worn. - what would you recommend for cleaning it?
-The corners are very worn as you can see - Is there something I can put to condition it in order for it to look less dry?
-there is a blue paint mark - that I tried removing with soap and microfiber but didn't work. What else can I try?
-There is a 3 cm stain on the front of the bag and it bothers me... I can't tell if it is paint or the color that has faded?
-The glazing all around the strap, corners of the "closing laces" etc. is cracked - is there anything I can do about it?

Your expert eye and opinion are very valuable to me. I really love that special piece and I wanna put my hands on it to make it more lovable to me.
Plus, I am scared that LV repair would cost me a foot and a kidney knowing it is a "haute maroquinerie" piece.

 

[BULL]

WOW, this is an awesome bag, congrats. It is indeed worn, but still an incredible piece.

-The bottom of the bag (calf leather) and the inside of the bag (lambskin) are very worn. - what would you recommend for cleaning it?

As with everything high-end, I recommend only "everything-free" baby wipes. If that does the trick, OK, if not, it should be taken to a professional.

-The corners are very worn as you can see - Is there something I can put to condition it in order for it to look less dry?

Since the top-layer is rubber off, the best would be to paint it with special leather solutions. I know that Hermès does this, they even re-make the leather grain, I am not sure if Vuitton offers this level of service.

-there is a blue paint mark - that I tried removing with soap and microfiber but didn't work. What else can I try?
-There is a 3 cm stain on the front of the bag and it bothers me... I can't tell if it is paint or the color that has faded?

The blue seems like a drop of ballpoint pen stain spreading with time. The other is like a smear of make-up foundation at first, but I'd rather think that maybe a drop of hand sanitizer (that was wiped away, hence the smear-like form) that damaged the upper layer of the leather. Or maybe just some dirt, but I can't tell. If a baby wipe doesn't remove it, then I'm sure it is that. Both of these should be treated professionally, I believe.

-The glazing all around the strap, corners of the "closing laces" etc. is cracked - is there anything I can do about it?

This is the easiest. Typical Vuitton glazing from that time. This was the same period, when they had serious issues with Empreinte glazing, and I think that it is likely that they will reglaze those parts for free, if you ask them.

But all in all, I think that you should take it to Vuitton and ask if they can help. The worst case is that they give you an astronomical quote, which you can refuse. There are leather artisans around the world who can remove most of these stains and cracks. But I would try the Vuitton way first. Since this was a high end bag, they really should service it accordingly.

 

[samouu]

WOW, this is an awesome bag, congrats. It is indeed worn, but still an incredible piece.

As with everything high-end, I recommend only "everything-free" baby wipes. If that does the trick, OK, if not, it should be taken to a professional.

Since the top-layer is rubber off, the best would be to paint it with special leather solutions. I know that Hermès does this, they even re-make the leather grain, I am not sure if Vuitton offers this level of service.

The blue seems like a drop of ballpoint pen stain spreading with time. The other is like a smear of make-up foundation at first, but I'd rather think that maybe a drop of hand sanitizer (that was wiped away, hence the smear-like form) that damaged the upper layer of the leather. Or maybe just some dirt, but I can't tell. If a baby wipe doesn't remove it, then I'm sure it is that. Both of these should be treated professionally, I believe.

This is the easiest. Typical Vuitton glazing from that time. This was the same period, when they had serious issues with Empreinte glazing, and I think that it is likely that they will reglaze those parts for free, if you ask them.

But all in all, I think that you should take it to Vuitton and ask if they can help. The worst case is that they give you an astronomical quote, which you can refuse. There are leather artisans around the world who can remove most of these stains and cracks. But I would try the Vuitton way first. Since this was a high end bag, they really should service it accordingly.

Oh @BULL you will always impress me with your LV knowledge and thank you for your precise explanations.
I will follow every step you mentioned and update you on how it worked!

Unfortunately, the LV boutiques are closed in here so I have to wait. However, regarding the glazing, since I do not have the receipt, would they still accept to take it? I don't know about their actual repair policy. Should I insist on the glazing being an issue of the bag from that time?

Thank you!

 

[BULL]

Oh @BULL you will always impress me with your LV knowledge and thank you for your precise explanations.
I will follow every step you mentioned and update you on how it worked!

Unfortunately, the LV boutiques are closed in here so I have to wait. However, regarding the glazing, since I do not have the receipt, would they still accept to take it? I don't know about their actual repair policy. Should I insist on the glazing being an issue of the bag from that time?

Thank you!

As far as I know, they service the bags if they are authentic. And since this is a special order, they can see the lady in their system, who originally purchased it (from whom you bought), and all the info: like purchase date, location, original order, etc... So in this case, the receipt is not needed, technically. Would be weird and defensive if they'd insist on it.
And from that lady, you could purchase it or receive as a gift, it is not their business, they can treat the bag as yours.
If you have a regular SA, I'd recommend to ask him/her to assist you, if not, visit the closest store and ask for the repair specialist. And just be kind. That should do the magic. If you are not demanding, but lovely and entusiastic, they are usually very kind in return. I wouldn't mention that you know about the glazing-related mass-recall, since it is an embarassing topic for the brand, might come off as offensive. I'd just kindly mention the age of the bag and the manufacture year, that is sufficient information, from that the specialist should know that this piece might also be affected. The worst case is that they charge 100-150€ for reglazing the strap, which is not that bad.
I am curious what they say about the leather. Because they usually completely replace damaged leather parts, but in this case, it would be most of the bag. I hope that they have a "spa"-like leather treatment like Hermès, at least for these special bags.

 

[samouu]

As far as I know, they service the bags if they are authentic. And since this is a special order, they can see the lady in their system, who originally purchased it (from whom you bought), and all the info: like purchase date, location, original order, etc... So in this case, the receipt is not needed, technically. Would be weird and defensive if they'd insist on it.
And from that lady, you could purchase it or receive as a gift, it is not their business, they can treat the bag as yours.
If you have a regular SA, I'd recommend to ask him/her to assist you, if not, visit the closest store and ask for the repair specialist. And just be kind. That should do the magic. If you are not demanding, but lovely and entusiastic, they are usually very kind in return. I wouldn't mention that you know about the glazing-related mass-recall, since it is an embarassing topic for the brand, might come off as offensive. I'd just kindly mention the age of the bag and the manufacture year, that is sufficient information, from that the specialist should know that this piece might also be affected. The worst case is that they charge 100-150€ for reglazing the strap, which is not that bad.
I am curious what they say about the leather. Because they usually completely replace damaged leather parts, but in this case, it would be most of the bag. I hope that they have a "spa"-like leather treatment like Hermès, at least for these special bags.

Thank you. I emailed the customer service with the pictures; they might tell me to wait until the store reopens... but I gave it a try, couldn't wait! Yes 100-150€ would be ok for me for the glazing, but more than the glazing it is the corners and the marks that are bothering me. I am also curious about their answer! Will keep you updated