Our Leather, Care & Guarantee
Vegetable tanning is the ancient traditional method for producing beautiful, malleable leather. This technique is slow fashion in motion and uses natural resources and artisanal skill to turn hide into a soft, workable material.
All of our products are created this way, with no harmful chemicals or machinery used!
Approximately only 10% of the world leather is still created in this way, and it takes almost 30 times longer to make - slow fashion at its finest.
Lost Little One - Made in Morocco
Lost Little One leather bags and accessories are crafted using veg-tanned goat & cow hide, sourced from a local tannery in Marrakech. Each skin is different, with unique markings. These markings and variations in the skin can be noticed on the lighter tones of leather (tan & vintage brown).
These characteristics show the raw, natural quality of hand-worked leather, and they're what make your Lost Little One - one of a kind.
The leather will change and evolve with every use - the lighter shades will darken slightly and your accessories will form a unique patina.
Our Moroccan leather is batch dyed in small quantities. Due to the artisanal nature of veg-dying, each batch varies slightly in shade and tone, particularly the lighter colours. We ask that you use our pictures as a reference only.
Here is an example of the ageing process. The bag will soften, form a patina and the colour will naturally darken. Here is a new tan coloured bag vs the same tan coloured bag after 2 months of use.
Goats Leather
Our goats leather is buttery soft, yet super durable. It will continue to soften and distress over time, and with prolonged use a one of a kind patina will form! Your piece will transform for years to come, moulding to you and the way that you use it.
Cow Hide
Our cow hide accessories are crafted using a much thicker, more structured leather that will change over time and darken slightly.
Bespoke Collection - Made in Melbourne
We use vegetable-tanned kangaroo leather because of its supple yet strong quality. Our leather is sourced from wild kangaroos, bearing beautiful naturally occurring 'bush scars' reminiscent of the Australian outback. Every skin we use is unique, with variations in colour and markings, making every design one of a kind.
Kangaroo leather is lightweight, strong & flexible. Created to age like a fine wine, with each use your new leather accessory will begin to soften. New creases will appear and your piece will transform to become uniquely yours.
Our tanners in South Australia use eco-tech processes when preparing our kangaroo leather. These sustainable practices including the recycling of waste water, vegetable tanning and consistently reducing heating and power emissions each year.
Our kangaroo leather is hand-dyed in small quantities. Due to the artisanal nature of veg-dying, each batch varies slightly in shade and tone, particularly the lighter colours. We ask that you use our pictures as a reference only.
Leather Care
Just like our skin, what you do to your leather will determine how it looks and ages. The lighter tones will darken over time and your leather will change with use.
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Before our pieces are sent to their new homes we treat them with a professional waterproofing solution. However we recommend that you treat your bag with a waterproof spray or cream prior to first use for ultimate protection.
Be sure to test an inconspicuous area before applying to your entire bag. We recommend testing your bag every few months as waterproof layer can lessen with wear and it may need a top up.
To test: Apply a few droplets of water to an inconspicuous area of your bag, if the droplets run off, the waterproofing is still present. You can also rub your bag with a light coloured, soft damp cloth. If colour transfers onto the cloth you know it is time to apply more waterproofing solution.
- Avoid all contact with water; however, in the case that your leather does get wet, do NOT use a hairdryer or any hot-air tools to dry it. This will cause the skin to dry out and wrinkle. Deal with any water spills by simply allowing the leather to dry naturally. Never leave your leather in the sun or exposed to the elements.
- Avoid contact with dark leathers and light fabrics (especially when wet). Although our veg-tanned leather accessories are treated with a waterproofing solution before being dispatched, in rare cases some colour transference may occur. In our experience, any stains that do transfer onto clothing will be easily removed in the wash. However certain external factors can accelerate the loss of dye.
As a rule, leather does not like to be wet. To help prevent colour transference avoid moisture and friction.
- Dark coloured clothing can also transfer onto light coloured leather. Keep this in mind when wearing dark jeans and your new tan coloured bag.
- Keep your leather clean by wiping it down with a dry cloth to remove any buildup of dust and dirt. We recommend giving your leather a deep clean with a leather cleanser every few months. Tend to any stains immediately.
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Your leather can begin to look dry and dull with time. To give it a boost of moisture and shine, apply a leather conditioner every few months.
Conditioning your leather will bring it back to life!
- Oiling veg-tanned leather is apart of the process needed to create this beautiful, supple material. Although not obvious in everyday use, we ask that you keep this in mind when storing or traveling with your bags. When storing we recommend using the cotton bag supplied and where possible, stuff your bag and hang it up.
Never place a filled (heavy) pouf on your couch or bed. Placing your new pouf on an absorbent material such as a doona or leather couch can potentially result in the transference of these oils.
What to Expect From the Colour of Your Leather
Vegetable-tanned leather is made to last and to get better with age. Colour fading or darkening, marking and stretching as a result of regular usage only adds to the character of your piece! Due to the nature of the vegetable tanning process, the colours are not uniform.
The colour of your leather accessory may vary on arrival, and we ask that you use our online images as a reference only as each skin is different. With unique markings, scars and colour variances, these characteristics show the natural quality of hand-worked leather.
Lost Little One bag's are lined with faux suede for a soft touch. If your lining becomes dirty, see your local dry cleaner for professional advice.
Our Guarantee
Our warranty covers fault in workmanship or material within 12 months of purchase. In the unlikely event this is the case, we will replace or repair your product at our discretion.
Please note that the 'earthy' smell is a characteristic of genuine vegetable-tanned leather and is not considered a fault. The smell will diminish to be completely unnoticeable with time and use. DO NOT spray with perfume.
This warranty does not cover a leather product that has been damaged by accident, neglect, normal wear and tear or other factors not due to defects in materials or workmanship.
