Mendfulness – How Repairing Luxury Goods Can Be Better Than Buying New Ones
This is in line with a general shift towards sustainability and mindful shopping, philosophies that maintain you should look after your purchases, making sure they fit well and are well maintained – especially when it comes to luxury items such as designer bags, shoes and accessories. Indeed, many of these items, have become an investment of sorts through the years with many consumers coming to appreciate the true value of these items – notwithstanding their value appreciating the older they get.
So it should come as no surprise to discover that bespoke repair shops catering to such luxury materials as leather, tweed and fur have proliferated throughout the city, including the three outlets investigated in this article. It’s not only about the quality of material and the time spent on creating the product that warrants a luxury price tag, it is also the assurance that such articles will withstand the usual wear and tear, as many believe that more expensive clothes are more cost-effective when taking into account the notion of “cost-per-wear”.
Also Read: Personalised Touch: Bespoke services for your wardrobe
Stylistic Handbag Company
Hong Kong’s very own Stylistic Handbag Company prides itself on repairing luxury goods you already own. With their expertise in handling delicate materials, such as leather, you may prolong the life of any favourite items, with the North Point-based experts showering your handbags with the tender loving care they deserve.
Their success story can be traced back to the year 1975 when they opened as a handbag. manufacturing company. Then, in the 80s and 90s, a time considered the leather goods manufacturing golden era, they seized the opportunity to refocus their business somewhat.
A successful business for more than 40 years now, this family-run repair shop promises to continue to provide bespoke services as it transitions to a new generation while maintaining the same skill set and quality of service.
Jeeves Hong Kong
The growing repair movement not only meets the growing interest in being more sustainable but also enables people to extend the lifespan of their favourite things. Thanks to Jeeves’ Hong Kong branch, it’s now easier for locals with a fondness for luxury items to designate Jeeves as their go-to repair shop. In line with this, the repairers believe that the upkeep of the clothing you already own is essential for maintaining a sustainable wardrobe.
The Jeeves philosophy is to extend the life cycle of clothing and luxury leather items, while part of their sustainability efforts is to use biodegradable packaging and recycled hangers while minimising the use of energy and consumables.
The Groom
The Groom was the first in the city to introduce an automated shoe repair service back in 1975. Over the past 48 years, they have repaired more than one hundred thousand luxury shoes and handbags, including items produced by such well-known brands as Hermes, Chanel, Bottega Veneta, Gucci, Roger Vivier, Rupert Sanderson and Salvatore Ferragamo.
Dedicated to providing the highest quality traditional craftsmanship and material to its customers, materials such as outsoles and heels, as well as leather care and foot care products, are all imported from Europe. Their mission is to cater to their experienced and talented Repair Service Operators (RSOs) that specialise in repairing luxury goods such as prestige brands of shoes, handbags and other leather products.
In hindsight, we should see aftercare as part of the whole product-buying experience. The items we already have are our most loved ones. Whether they hold a financial, functional or emotional value, we are all invested in everything we purchase, especially those items that are particularly expensive. Thankfully, there is now a whole array of local businesses whose ultimate goal is to have customers fall in love with their favourites all over again.
(Text: Joseff Musa)
Read the full version of the article in the February 2023 issue (pg: 44). Available on the Gafencu app on Android and Apple.
