“Buy less, choose well, make it last” said the late fashion designer and visionary Dame Vivienne Westwood. While this quality-over-quantity ethos runs contrary to the hyper-consumerist zeitgeist of today, there are encouraging signs that more shoppers are beginning to embrace this maxim. In particular, an increasing number of consumers are seeking to restore rather than replace their sartorial possessions, evinced by the rise of leather goods restoration services in Singapore to meet this burgeoning demand.
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One of the new kids on the block is Margo & Smith, founded by husband-and-wife duo John Chung and Salina Chai. “Despite the abundance of luxury bag repair stores and bag spas in Asia, I found none that emphasised meticulous craftsmanship over quick sales and unnecessary services,” says Salina. So she decided to start her own. Margo & Smith combines her fashion industry and digital content creator experience with her husband’s decade-long expertise in repairing and restoring leather shoes. “We wanted to modernise the image of traditional handbag restoration kiosks and street cobblers, and promote sustainability and the craftsmanship behind each repair,” she emphasises.
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The atelier is housed in a 150-year-old heritage building on Ann Siang Road and is divided into two spaces: A spacious consultation area for clients, and an open concept workshop for them where they can watch how their bags are restored.
“We combine traditional leather-making techniques with modern machinery,” explains Salina. Much of the restoration process is done by hand to ensure a high-quality finish, and thus takes longer than average to complete—a small compromise for the promise of an exceptional end result. “Clients who entrust us with the revival of their late loved ones’ bags are a reminder that our work goes beyond restoration―it’s about preserving memories and stories.” Beyond the physical act of repair, it’s precisely this respect for the personal that sets them apart from the rest.
“We believe in educating consumers on improving the longevity of their handbags and shoes. A simple
polish can significantly enhance their appearance,” says Salina. Be it an heirloom piece that requires
heavy-duty repair or a recent purchase in need of a light touch-up, every bag is treated with utmost care at Margo & Smith. After all, there’s no price you can put on sentimental value.
OTHER PLACES TO RESTORE YOUR BAGS
With this rising demand for restoration services, we share our top picks of artisanal and chain stores here in Singapore—from those that specialise in bag repair and dry cleaning to furniture restoration.
JEEVES
Established in London with stores across major cities including US, Asia and the Middle East, Jeeves is a one-stop shop that offers a diverse list of services that range from handbag restoration to dry-cleaning to home textiles cleaning. Over the years, Jeeves has been synonymous with meticulous care in restoring beloved bags to their former glory.
DR BAGS
Dr Bags is akin to an aesthetic clinic for your luxury leather goods. It uses Korean technology to restore bags, wallets and shoes. Its main services are categorised into four Rs—Repel, Refurbish, Refresh and Restore—which range from preventative measures like water and oil-repellent coating application to extensive deep cleansing that eliminates mould and odours. They have four outlets across Singapore, and offer pickup and delivery services.
HONEST CRAFTERS
Founded in 2016 by a collective of experienced bag-making artisans, Honest Crafters offers a convenient yet personalised service, condensed into three simple steps: Assessment of the item via WhatsApp, getting a quotation, and booking the complimentary pick-up and delivery service. The entire process is as fuss-free as it can be. Beyond rejuvenating bags and shoes, their services also extend to home furnishing under their “Haute Crafts” subdivision. Services include deep cleaning and leather furniture restoration that includes repair of tears, scratches and cracks.
COLORWASH
With three outlets across central Singapore, Colorwash specialises in restoring suede and leather pieces. Beyond its popular cleaning and colouring services, it also sells a variety of cleaning essentials that includes its own line of polishing cloths and deodorising charcoal bags to Tarrago balms and sprays to clean and protect your precious purses.