Question about leather on my secondhand Garda

[jane]

I just received a new-to-me Garda in Atlantic from Rebag. The bag is in excellent condition and is definitely authentic. But when I compare the intrecciato leather on this bag to the nappa leather on my 2007 ebano Campana, I am shocked and saddened by the downgrade in quality. My Campana is and always has been soft, glossy, supple, and buttery. The leather on this Garda is dry and flat, no life to it.

I am strongly considering returning. This was a significant purchase -- to keep it I have to be head-over-heels. I have been away from BV for many years; my other BVs from late 2000s were also very soft and the leather was just gorgeous, the kind of bags you just want to pet all day. Should I expect lifeless nappa leather from certain more recent BV bags? Or did I get a lemon? Or is it the color treatment for this blue that is doing this to the leather? Should I just stick with brown/black/neutral? Help!

 

[grietje]

My experience with BV has been that the color plays a role in how supple the leather is. I feel like blues are hard on the leather so they can be stiffer. I found that with Rosa Shock pink and Blood (a red) too.

If your bag is in new or unused condition, the Garda needs breaking in. In my experience the Garda—brand new—is an awkward bag. It definitely needs to be broken in.

I have read that BV’s leather has gone down hill over the years. For me it’s been more a bag-specific issue. You are quite spoiled with a smoosh ebano campana. You actually can’t get better than that.

Edited to add: I actually had an Atlantic Garda that I bought new. It was stuff at first but softened nicely. I only had it for a few years so I don’t know if I got it to full sheen so to speak. But it was pretty.

Can you post some photos?

 

[jane]

Thanks for the reply, Grietje. I already boxed it up I'm afraid. I knew the dry rough leather would just bother me too much. I really want to add to my BV collection, but I think my taste is really those collections from back in 07 and 08. I have always wanted a classic Veneta but the medium is too small for me (and too close to the Campana in shape) and I think I'm too petite to carry the large!

Obviously I should just save up for a (secondhand) Cabat