One of the oldest professional crafts still in use today is stitching leather together using needles from animal bones and thread made from the intestine and sinew of animals primarily Sheep.Some of the first users of leather were Eskimo and North American Indian Tribes. They killed the animals for food and made leather clothing using the animal skins and bone needles to stitch the skin together.
Most all the information to date has been gathered by various researchers' findings. Theories are based on small pieces of information over a long period of time.
Today most animals are killed primarily for food. The skin and leather industry are left over products that evolved into the Leather industry as we currently know it. Without using the skins it would create a major pollution and environmental problem either by burning or burying the residue in a landfill. Most all domestic animals are protected by law and are not part of the food chain. Leather skins are available only from other countries. The animals are killed by poachers and skins sold on the black market all over the world.
The hunter gatherers, in the stone age, killed for food and used the skins for protection. The use of animal skins actually goes back to the days of the ice age. In that time about the only pointed items for killing the animals were flints also used to scrape the inside of hides as well as fur and hair on the outside. People that work with animal hides are aware of the fact that it shrinks when it gets wet and over time begins to have a horrible smell. People would wrap the skins around them while they moved around sewing it together to prevent it from falling off some were even used to sleep on.
The process of tanning and softening leather was probably an accident. After someone dropped some skin in water that a fallen tree had discolored the water and changed the color of the piece of skin as well as making the skin softer. Therefore tanning came about and some similarities of this process are still in use today. The North American indian made their clothing from deer skin and sewed it together into a form of tunic and trousers. Sometime ago in northern Canada a body was found, thought to be a trapper that had died from exposure to the elements. He had in effect died from exposure, however, test and examinations showed he had died several thousand years ago and was wearing trousers and a tunic made from goat skin.
There is very little evidence to suggest any type of leather goods or workers. Leather artifacts at that time consisted primarily of straps for arrows and scabbards for swords. As time passed more people were wearing some type of shoes and boots. Saddles for the horses created shoemakers and saddlers.
In the early times, young men believed to be of Greek origin, carried a leather water bag over their shoulders. They wore a leather toga with a leather bag around their waist believed to be for small game or birds for food along the way. Leather goods did not evolve until travel started to become common. And in those days moving was uncommon with most people remaining where they were born or very close.
Leather products of today vary greatly and have a multitude of everyday uses from shoes and boots to leather coats, jackets, etc. Leather is worn by the majority of motorcycle riders and all types of outdoor sports enthusiast. Leather is also widely used in the fashion and dress wear industry and leather usage continues to grow and offers a greater variety of products for everyone.
Online shopping has brought great opportunities to us to be able to buy the items we want and need at a great prices. It is too bad that with all good things people find a way to take advantage of others.
Selling Coach products online is a huge business. If you are looking to purchase a Coach product online, you need to do your homework before making your purchase. You need to be sure the money you are paying is for an authentic Coach purse not a fake coach purse.
Here are some tips to help you buy the real deal.
Tip #1: C Pattern Design
If your purse is the 'c' or 'cc' style stitching you will be able to use this pattern to inspect for authenticity. Look at the purse to check for the following.
a. The c pattern should go straight up and down.
b. The pattern will be centered on the front and back panel of the purse.
c. The seam will go straight through 'c' or 'cc' pattern not cutting off letters.
d. Look at a few photos online of the c pattern on the style of purse you are looking to purchase.
There should be a consistency with the pattern.
Tip #2: Leather Label with Serial Number
There is a serial number that exists in the majority of the real Coach purses that begins with 'No' that is located on the inside sewn in leather label. On some of the smaller authentic purse sizes there is not a leather tag. These styles would include the clutch, swingback, and the mini. I have also seen fakes that have the sewn in label starting with a No followed by a serial number. However, when you compare the fake label to the real one the quality of leather and imprinting is obvious which is real. The words on the label should also be in all-caps.
Tip #3: Know the Real Deal
I would suggest you visit retailers of real Coach stores to begin to teach yourself what an authentic Coach purse looks and feels like. Pay attention to the look and feel of the leather, lining, zipper, stitching and leather tag. As you become more familiar with the real Coach handbags, you will recognize a fake easier.
Tip #4: Poor Craftsmanship - Leather is Pieced Together
View the stitching on the purse. Stitches that are different in width or have threads coming out of the seam are a great way to spot a knockoff. In a real Coach handbag the stitching is impeccable.
Tip #5: Coach Style
In order to be an authentic Coach handbag it must be a Coach style. This one can be a bit tricky since Coach releases new styles throughout the year. I see the Internet as a great way to help you determine if the style you are looking at is a real style. Ask your question in a forum or blog and learn from others.
Tip #6: Zipper
Inspect the zipper of the purse. On a poor Coach knockoff, you can simply tell the difference by a looking at the zipper. A Coach purse will use a zipper with the engraving 'YKK.' Look for the engraving. If you are still not sure, zip the purse a few times to see how smoothly the purse zips.
Tip #7: C not G
I think this one should go without saying but it bears to mention since it must be working on some people. The Coach brand starts with a 'c' not a 'g.' It is unbelievably silly to me but some Coach knockoffs have the stitching of a 'g' or 'gg' not a 'c' or 'cc.'
Tip #8: Packaging
I have seen some auctions with pictures of purses with plastic wrapped handles. To my knowledge this would also be a sign of a fake Coach purse.
Tip #9: Read the About Us Section or Seller Info
Retail websites that just do not say which they are selling are normally selling fakes. Read about the retailer. Do a Google search on the retailer to see if people are happy with the service.
If you are looking to buy on ebay, purchase from someone who has a great track record for selling Coach purses. eBay does not permit sellers to sell fakes and monitors this problem, but sellers can still slip through the cracks.
Do your homework so you can enjoy an authentic Coach purse at a great price. Happy shopping!
Are you fretting over the offensive stain that has ruined your expensive designer bag? Stains, marks, scratches and such cosmetic damage on your bags must be treated accordingly based on the types of material the bags are made of and the sources of the damage. The most common problems encountered are stains from color being transferred inadvertently from clothes, makeup, food and beverage stains and pen ink marks. In this article, we will share with you some proven tips to restore your bag to its original spotless and immaculate state.
Suede
Examples: Coach Ergo Pieced Suede Tote, Coach Hamptons Suede Hobo & Jimmy Choo Alex Suede.
The majority of stains on suede bags can be cleared using a suede brush. If the stains refuse to go away, try brushing with a suede cleaner over rising steam from boiled water. You can also use a white pencil eraser to rub off minor, dry marks. If yours is a Coach bag, it may have come with a half-pink, half-white block from your purchase. Quite a number of Branded Bags for Less readers have reported it being effective in ridding their Coach bags of ugly stains, marks and even molds from humidity. Simply wet the block and rubbed it gently against the stain.
Note that you should never use stain removers that do not explicitly state they are meant for suede fabric, for they may aggravate the stain and cause irreparable damage!
Leather
Part leather examples: Coach Carly Signature (fabric with leather trimmings), Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas (canvas with leather trimmings) & Burberry Nova Check Shoulder Tote (canvas with leather trimmings).
Full leather examples: Fendi Nappa Leather, Coach Legacy Leather, Coach Carly Leather, Louis Vuitton Mahina, Louis Vuitton Epi Leather, Gucci Leather Hysteria, Burberry Classic Check & Chanel Classic Medium Flap with Gold Chain.
You can apply leather cleaning cream, conditioner or protectant to remove surface grime and scratches, which is also good for moisturizing the leather so that it looks pristine. One highly raved cleaner is the Apple Leather Care line of cleaners which is able to remove many types of stains such as soil, grease, food and excess oils from leather. Alternatively, any leather protectant like Eagle One Nano Protectant also works well. Spray a generous amount onto a dry, white cloth and wipe it on the leather material of your bag evenly.
For stubborn ink marks and stains on leather, use traditional Asian medicated oil like the Axe Brand Medicated Oil or rubbing alcohol available at drugstores. This little-known technique is employed by handbag shop assistants and many Branded Bags for Less readers have also given favorable feedback that it did wonders for their bags. Pour a little onto a dry, white cloth and rub lightly on the offensive mark or stain and it should come off easily.
Patent Leather
Part patent leather examples: Coach Signature Stripe Patent (fabric with patent leather stripe and trimmings) & Fendi Canvas Patent Leather Bag Du Jour (canvas with patent leather trimmings).
Full patent leather examples: Tods Patent Leather Tote, Louis Vuitton Monogram Vernis & Coach Patent Zoe.
Of all the varieties of material, patent leather is probably the most difficult to treat. Once color is transferred onto patent leather, the damage is likely to be permanent unfortunately. However, if you discover the stain early enough, it might still be possible to salvage the bag through a non-acetone nail polish remover or Mr Clean Magic Eraser according to some who had tried numerous methods to fix the problem.
Canvas
Examples: Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas (canvas with leather trimmings) & Fendi Canvas B Shoulder Bag (canvas with patent leather trimmings).
Stains due to color transfer from clothes, paper bags and magazines can be treated easily with a white damp cloth or sponge and normal white soap. For food and beverage stains and other stubborn stains and marks, try the Coach Signature Fabric Cleaner which works for other brands like Louis Vuitton and Gucci canvas bags as well. Coach's Official Site gives a quote of for this cleaner. Apply a few drops on a white cloth and wipe the stains off in gentle circular motions. Wipe away excess with a clean white dampened cloth. Some shop assistants and handbag owners also swear by Baby Wipes on canvas.
Fabric
Examples: Coach Carly Signature (fabric with leather trimmings), Coach Bleecker Signature Large Flap (fabric with leather trimmings) & Gucci Babouska Fabric Tote.
Just as for canvas, you can use the Coach Signature Fabric Cleaner which does the trick for other brands of fabric bags too. Coach's Official Site gives a quote of for this cleaner. Apply a few drops on a white cloth and wipe the stains off in gentle circular motions. Wipe away excess with a clean white dampened cloth.
A more economical method which some have used with great success is toothpaste, particularly of the Darlie brand. Apply toothpaste onto a damp, white cloth and rub on the stains in circular motions. Carefully dab off excess toothpaste off the darkened patch and allow it to dry. It works, surprisingly!
Above all...
Always be on the safe side - remember to do a patch test on the inside or an inconspicuous area of your bag first before applying any treatment all over. Do not use detergent for treating your stained bags as it may further damage the finish. Also, avoid contact of your bags with newspapers, magazines, colored paper bags and dark colored cloths during cleaning as color can transfer from these items to your bags in the process.
Treating and Removing Stains on Designer Bags
