RITA WALLET
Ethically handmade in Morocco using premium vegetable tanned goats leather
Please familiarise yourself with our leather care instructions for how to best care for your Lost Little One vegetable tanned leather bag.
Lost Little One started with the flip of a coin and an impulsive adventure into lands unexplored. In 2016 our Melbourne-based founder Dominique wound up by chance in Morocco, a melting pot of cultures, the confluence of east and west. Its energetic chaos and old-world charm were irresistible, and Dom fell in love.
Buried deep in Marrakech’s maze-like Medina is a tannery, and it was here that Lost Little One was born. Dom works with local artisans to design and handcraft beautiful unisex bags using only vegetable tanned leather. Challenging language barriers were overcome by a mutual ambition to share the heady delights of Morocco with the world.
Naturally evolving and ethically conscious, the label is slow fashion in motion: we know exactly where, how and by whom each bag was crafted. Each piece is authentic and created with love. Our minimalistic yet functional designs are an homage to our favourite places on earth. Utilising traditional techniques and contemporary designs, Lost Little One is a true fusion of Moroccan culture and Melbourne style.
More About Us
Behind The Brand
Lost Little One is powered and inspired by human connection. There’s a close-knit but globally-spread community involved in its inception, refinement and evolution. It’s about time we introduce ourselves.
Ethically Made
Here at Lost Little One, we refer to our products as being ‘ethically handmade’. But what does ethically made mean to us? We believe in a path less travelled and pride ourselves on being the perfect fusion of Melbourne style and Moroccan culture. Our leather is ethically sourced from the local tannery in Marrakech.
Why is Lost Little One Made in Morocco?
Having the opportunity to live and work in Morocco has been a great adventure so far. Lost Little One is naturally evolving and slow fashion in motion: we know exactly where, how and by whom each bag was crafted. Supporting local artisans and the ancient technique of vegetable tanning leather.
Meet The Makers
It is of the upmost importance, that we are supporting the local trade in Morocco. You may have heard the name Abdussamed mentioned from time to time. This is our very first artisan and the man who helped to bring Lost Little One to life. A father of four and a leather worker for more than 20 years. I chose to work one on one with Abdu in Morocco after meeting him on my second trip to Marrakech.
It is of the upmost importance, that we are supporting the local trade in Morocco as well as independent small businesses in Melbourne. I choose to work with small companies nestled deep in the Marrakech Medina, by doing so we can be certain that our business is directly benefiting local Moroccan people.
Using the same approach here in Melbourne, I only join forces with small, independent, local businesses to turn my vision into a reality.
Lost Little One bags are ethically handmade in Morocco using 100% vegetable-tanned Moroccan goats leather. We opted for this type of leather because of its soft yet durable properties. We also occasionally use vegetable tanned cowhides, this type of hide is much thicker and great for our more structured designs. Our bags are sourced and produced in Marrakech, Morocco. The leather is handpicked from the local tannery located inside the Medina, where it has been treated using ancient and traditional Moroccan tanning methods. Because of this natural process all leather used on Lost Little One bags is unique. Some of the leather may have natural markings and character, this is not a fault, it shows the natural quality of hand worked leather.
Caring for your leather is a personal preference, depending on how you want your bag to look today and in 10 years’ time. The beauty of vegetable-tanned leather is that it changes with time and use. You can mould and move these bags in your hands to speed up the ageing process and help create creases and lines which gives the leather character, making it your own.
Just like our skin, what you do to your leather bag will determine how it looks and ages.
We suggest that you keep your bag clean by wiping it down with a clean dry cloth to remove any buildup of dust and dirt and giving it a deep clean with a leather cleaner every few months and tending to any stains immediately.
Just like our skin, your new leather bag 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. We love Dr. Martens Balsam, use this to protect it against water stains, as a conditioner when dry or to soften and speed up the ageing process.
Although leather is designed for the elements, maintaining the shape of your bag and the condition of the leather will be determined by how you treat it. To further protect your bag use Dr Martens Balsam or a leather care product of your choice before the first use. Especially the lighter leather tones as they are more susceptible to stains. However we suggest that you test a small inconspicuous area first as this process can slightly darken the colour of your bag. Be aware that unwashed or dark denim may rub off and stain lighter shades of vegetable-tanned leather.
We suggest that you avoid all contact with water, however in the case that your bag 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 bag to dry naturally. Never leave your bag laying in the sun or exposed to the elements. Please note that colour leakage onto light garments may occur if your bag becomes wet. However because of the plant based nature of our dyes, all runoff is entirely organic and easily removed.
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, all add to the character of your bag, they are not considered a fault. The colour of your bag may vary on arrival, due to the nature of vegetable tanning process the colours are not uniform. We ask you use our online images as a reference only as each skin is different, with unique markings and colour variances, these characteristics show the natural quality of hand worked leather.
Lost Little One bag's are suede lined for a soft touch, if your lining becomes dirty see your local dry cleaner for professional advice.
Our warranty covers fault in workmanship or material within 12 months of purchase. If 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.
