My dear mother gave me two Louis Vuitton bags as an “heirloom” two.. three years ago. They were in a very bad state when I got them and they needed some love and care.

Just to give you a background of the bag. This Speedy was bought in LA by my dad. I think it’s about 17 to 20 years old now. Joan (you’ll find out later who she is) says vintage LVs are different from the new bags today because of the leather quality. She also said that old LVs had form and were really durable.

I’ve searched for a vintage bag restoration company and found Vintage Restore. Of course, I had to do some research first whether they did a good job and they seem to have a lot of good reviews so I had my LV Speedy “hospitalized.” I knew this would be costly! XD

The hospital over at their Jupiter Street Makati Branch was very classy, BTW! 🙂

According to Joan, the receptionist who entertained me, the bag needed some cleaning, a new zipper puller, and total leather replacement including the handles, the pipings, and side tongues of the bag. I first agreed to these thinking that it would be nice to have new handles however, I changed my mind and decided to have all parts kept as they were. I wanted to keep the integrity of the bag. In other words, I wanted it to have all of its original parts ’till the end of time.

So after two weeks (I think,) I got the Speedy back from them (lastTuesday) and it’s time to scrutinize the service they rendered for my bag.

Here are a few “Before” photos of the bag. 🙂

Since no leather parts were replaced, they were retouched. I think they were painted. Here are the after photos of the bag.

The original handle was cracked and dark. According to Trisha, the owner of Vintage Restore, this is a natural process of leather. The After photo shows the handles retouched yet still with little cracks. I don’t mind that! 🙂

Here is another part of the handle.  I’m guessing these parts are difficult to paint.

The photos below show other retouched leather parts of the bag. My nail polish!!! HAHAHA

Honest review of my New Old LV Speedy

When Joan first showed me the bag I was a bit shocked. I only asked for cleaning and zipper puller replacement but it turns out, they retouched all the leather parts with some kind of paint. I’m not sure what kind though but Drew said that it should be good for the bag because it reconditions the old leather and at the same time, makes the old leather look new. I could have done a better paint job though. hihi

My ate Tenten says otherwise. haha

Apart from that, everything else is good. The leather body of the bag was cleaned, the zipper puller was OK and it had a leather handle for the puller… the insides were clean and the bag now has a respectable shape! haha

For reference, (not boasting or anything) I paid 4,800 PhP for the restoration of this bag. I don’t really know if the price is right because I don’t have anything to compare it with. If I had all leather parts replaced, it would cost me 5,800 PhP.

If you also have a vintage bag that needs restoration, send them an email with the photos of your bag for a quotation! 🙂 This way, you can think it through whether the cost justifies the service. They also restore vintage accessories, wallets, and other designer goods. 🙂

Although it was not what I was expecting, I’m still happy with my bag’s outcome. Thank you Vintage Restore!!! 🙂 Time to save for my LV Bucket bag! hihi

Vintage Restore

Visit their website here.

White Plains, Q.C. Branch:

Unit 10, 2/F, Bellitudo Building,
79B Katipunan Road,
White Plains, Quezon City
TELEPHONE: (02) 4382863
MOBILE: (0916) 5288165
STORE HOURS: 11:00am – 7:30pm

Jupiter St, Makati Branch:

2/f Dona Consolacion Building,
122 Jupiter Street,
Bel-Air, Makati City
TELEPHONE: (02) 8904326
MOBILE: (0916) 6262967
STORE HOURS: 11:00am – 7:30pm

Love,
Kist XO