Questions about the Kooba Devin

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katev

katev

"The Bag Whisperer!"
O.G.
Dec 18, 2009
17,401
19,045
#1
I found a secondhand Kooba bag at the thrift store today for a mere $13 and I think that it is the same Devin bag as shown in the photos below; sorry for the huge pics! I have posted pics in the authentication thread and I really hope that it is genuine because it's a gorgeous bag!

I was wondering what the name of this color is called? I've been calling it "tan" but it could be "camel" or "beige" or something else. I've been trying to find out more about it and I think that it was released in 2008 and originally sold for $535, does that sound right?

My poor bag has really been abused and I want to try and clean and restore her. I have rehabbed lots of vintage bags, mostly Coach and a few others, but not Kooba. I would appreciate any advice on cleaning and conditioning this beat up bag! There are photos of my bag at the link below; thanks in advance for your help!

http://s1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee413/katev2/Kooba Hobo Tan/

KoobaDevinFront.jpg


KoobaDevinSide.jpg


KoobaDevinNordstrom.jpg
 
#2
Wow! Congratulations on your find! That certainly looks authentic to me (not an expert, but own two Devins.)
I've had excellent results with Apple conditioner on Kooba leathers, but I'm not sure I've used one on this butterscotch color. I think it's the "blonde" leather, btw. With the Devin, the best place to try a cleaner is probably in between the two layers of straps, since that never shows to the outside. I apply evenly with an old t-shirt rag, rub in a circular motion, wipe off excess, and allow to dry. In other words, nothing special. :)

For the interior, I vacuum and then use antibacterial handi-wipes to clean the inside. For ones that really look suspicious on the inside I've used the Lysol antibac wipes (like for cleaning bathrooms) and have had no trouble with it staining or lightening the fabric inside. Good luck! Hope to see after pics too!
 
#3
Schientist said:
Wow! Congratulations on your find! That certainly looks authentic to me (not an expert, but own two Devins.)
I've had excellent results with Apple conditioner on Kooba leathers, but I'm not sure I've used one on this butterscotch color. I think it's the "blonde" leather, btw. With the Devin, the best place to try a cleaner is probably in between the two layers of straps, since that never shows to the outside. I apply evenly with an old t-shirt rag, rub in a circular motion, wipe off excess, and allow to dry. In other words, nothing special. :)

For the interior, I vacuum and then use antibacterial handi-wipes to clean the inside. For ones that really look suspicious on the inside I've used the Lysol antibac wipes (like for cleaning bathrooms) and have had no trouble with it staining or lightening the fabric inside. Good luck! Hope to see after pics too!
Click to expand...

Wow, thanks for the information and the great advice! She is too dirty to carry in this condition so I will have to try something.
 
#4
Schientist said:
Wow! Congratulations on your find! That certainly looks authentic to me (not an expert, but own two Devins.)
I've had excellent results with Apple conditioner on Kooba leathers, but I'm not sure I've used one on this butterscotch color. I think it's the "blonde" leather, btw. With the Devin, the best place to try a cleaner is probably in between the two layers of straps, since that never shows to the outside. I apply evenly with an old t-shirt rag, rub in a circular motion, wipe off excess, and allow to dry. In other words, nothing special. :)

For the interior, I vacuum and then use antibacterial handi-wipes to clean the inside. For ones that really look suspicious on the inside I've used the Lysol antibac wipes (like for cleaning bathrooms) and have had no trouble with it staining or lightening the fabric inside. Good luck! Hope to see after pics too!
Click to expand...

Can you tell me if my guess that the Devin was released in 2008 and originally sold for $535, is correct?
 
#6
Yeah, I'm not really sure about the exact release date, but I do think the original price on the leather ones was $535. It was more for the patent version. $595 I think.

How's the restoration coming?
 
#7
Thanks! So far I have just been gathering information so I haven't started the restoration yet. I have gotten cleaner/conditioner recommendations for Apple, Lexol, and Meltonian.
 
#9
sdkitty said:
that's the same leather as my Kooba Meredith....color is blonde
great deal
maybe if you're not able to clean up, you can consider dying a darker brown?
Click to expand...

It's a thought. Bebepurse suggested that the discoloration maybe due to color transfer; I hadn't considered that possibility! :thinkin:
 
#11
Schientist said:
Wow! Congratulations on your find! That certainly looks authentic to me (not an expert, but own two Devins.)
I've had excellent results with Apple conditioner on Kooba leathers, but I'm not sure I've used one on this butterscotch color. I think it's the "blonde" leather, btw. With the Devin, the best place to try a cleaner is probably in between the two layers of straps, since that never shows to the outside. I apply evenly with an old t-shirt rag, rub in a circular motion, wipe off excess, and allow to dry. In other words, nothing special. :smile:

For the interior, I vacuum and then use antibacterial handi-wipes to clean the inside. For ones that really look suspicious on the inside I've used the Lysol antibac wipes (like for cleaning bathrooms) and have had no trouble with it staining or lightening the fabric inside. Good luck! Hope to see after pics too!
Click to expand...

KoobaBagLover said:
I think it originally released in 2007.
Click to expand...

Schientist said:
Yeah, I'm not really sure about the exact release date, but I do think the original price on the leather ones was $535. It was more for the patent version. $595 I think.

How's the restoration coming?
Click to expand...

sdkitty said:
you sure got a great deal ....let us know what happens with rehab
Click to expand...

Well, it really took me a long time to get around to it, but I've finally rehabbed the Kooba Devin bag that I bought in 2011 for $13. If you are still interested, you can see the before and after pics at the link below! Thanks again for your help!

 
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