THAIS CIPOLLETTA

Handbag restoration: before and after by Thaís Cipolletta
London, 2024
Colour and texture restoration, handbag cleaning, re-edging, re-threading
Leather cleaning solution, leather conditioner, acrylic leather paint and finisher, leather dye, polymer filler, leather scraps, polyurethane paint, cotton cord

 

 

Damaged straps and discolouration led this 20-year-old family gift to be stored for years. After cleaning it, Cipolletta cleaned it, hand-matched the original colour, applied pigments thinly, and sealed it for durability and a natural feel. Holding on to items is highly sustainable. Through repair, people can reconnect emotionally with their belongings and find encouragement for more conscious future purchases. Cipolletta’s techniques have been leading the standards for luxury restoration for 10 years, since co-founding The Restory. She has trained over 40 artisans and now mentors craftspeople and consults on artisanal services, innovation and new materials.