I do agree with you on the stiff leather! Any idea how long does it take to break in?
The bag pictured above is the new black/nickel rocco. AW is calling all the new rocco's dumbo for some reason.
I purchased the new black/rose gold and the texture and thickness of leather is better, but the leather is stiff compared to all my previous rocco bags. It does not compare to the leather of my first gen rocco. I'm not sure how the new leather is going to weather. Some of the ladies here have reported their new rocco bags softened with wear.
I haven't had a problem with piping on any of my rocco bags. My mustard & luggage piping was beginning to show wear, so I treated them with conditioner & edge kote.