Is it okay if the 'vegetable leather' mentioned in the bag description comes into contact with water?
When encountering a leather name for the first time in a description, one gets stuck wondering if it can be carried as usual. This is a question asked by someone concerned about rainy days or areas touched by hands.
The material stated by Moia is Italian vegetable leather, and since there is no guidance regarding water in the official materials, general care is required.
Vegetable leather refers to leather tanned with plant tannins obtained from tree bark or fruits. Unlike methods that use chemicals, it takes a long time, but the leather's original grain and thickness tend to remain intact. What is used for the mini lune hobo bag is this Italian vegetable leather, and its surface has a subtle sheen[1].
The biggest characteristic of this leather is that it changes the more you use it. When exposed to sunlight, air, and the oils from hands, the color gradually deepens, aging toward a reddish or brownish tint. Because areas that are frequently held, like the handle, and areas that come into contact with the body darken and become glossy first, over time, the surface develops varying depths of color across different sections.
The precautions also arise from the same property. If water droplets fall on it, the color easily soaks into that area first and is prone to leaving round stains; therefore, when it gets wet, the general method is not to rub it, but to press it with a dry cloth to remove the moisture and then let it dry slowly in the shade. If dried in a hurry with a hair dryer or direct sunlight, the leather may become stiff and distorted. If left in close contact for a long time with clothing that bleeds color, such as denim, the color may transfer, and when storing it, it is better to place it in a breathable fabric dust bag rather than plastic so that moisture is not trapped. However, since specific care methods for this product have not yet been officially provided, please read the above content as general standards applicable across vegetable leather as a whole.
hmmm, the term subtle sheen refers to the state right after it is made, not that it stays in that condition. Water stains and color changes are front and back of the same property, so rather than care aimed at keeping it completely brand new, using it while keeping in mind where it will darken first is a better fit for this leather.
This product is currently no longer sold.