SPA SERVICES
We specialize in the technical repair and restoration of high-quality leather goods, including vintage and designer items. Authentic leather goods of any variety are always welcome to visit us at The Grey Spa.
Listed below are the services we offer for handbags and small leather goods along with starting prices. Please contact us via the 'quote request' page with details about your item to receive an estimate and further information about booking into The Spa. If you require a service we have not listed, please reach out to inquire; we're always adding to our repertoire. We look forward to restoring and reviving your loved and preloved pieces.
Celine
Chanel
Chloe
Dior
Fendi
Givenchy
Goyard
Gucci
Hermès
Loewe
Louis Vuitton
Moynat
Prada
Saint Laurent
Valentino
Vintage + Antique
Some Exotics
Authentic Items Only
CLASSIC SPA TREATMENTS
* Clean & Condition
Each Spa Guest receives a general cleaning & conditioning of all materials as well as a careful hardware polish. It's important for your item to be clean while we work on them, and we also want you to have a beautiful fresh item returned to you. We use gentle cleansers and material specific conditioning products; non-darkening and appropriate for each leather type. Both the interior & exterior are gently cleaned & treated.
*This detailing service is included with each treatment package.
Deep Conditioning
Leather is one of the most hardwearing materials available, but it can also be delicate. It is prone to scratches, wear, dryness, cracks and even mould with too much humidity. Proper conditioning provides the correct moisture level and improves the look, feel and durability of an item. We have a variety of products suitable for different finishes and leather types, including most exotics. We can also treat items for water resistance and colour transfer going forward if requested. Please note that not all dry leather can be saved; we will explain that in more detail in your quote if needed.
COLOUR & DYE
Colouration
We use a carefully researched combination of professional-grade products to refresh faded colour, hide stubborn stains and correct scuffing. We have the ability to colour match most items, with the exception of some metallics, neons & exotics. Our approach to colouration involves a 'less is more' philosophy to retain the original 'temper' and softness of the leather; taking special care around stitching and hardware.
Ink & Stains
Colour transfer from dark denim, spills, ink and watermarks can all be improved through our various cleaning and conditioning methods. If a stain cannot be removed through cleaning, it can be recoloured and refinished to the original colour to give it a fresh appearance. For ink sepcifically, we use a specialty product to ensure it doesn't 'bleed' through the fresh colour.
Dying & Colour Change
Usually reserved for 'worst case scenarios', which include stains on patent leather, oxidized leather (UV damage), really heavily worn light coloured items, severe ink spills & staining that cannot be lifted, etc. This process is where we change the colour of an item to something darker to help disguise the damage and create wearability. This process can change the texture of the leather, but still has a natural (not painted) look to it. Most often, this technique is reserved for those items with sentimental value or an item that is intended for personal use, rather than resale.
E X T E R I O R
I N T E R I O R
Deep Cleaning
Leaky water bottles, food spills, makeup, ink, melted candy, perfume, cigarette smoke - we've seen it all. We have a range of comprehensive cleaning products and techniques so that your item will be hygienic and fresh. Please note that we cannot guarantee all stains can be removed completely but we will provide you with further details in your quote and assessment.
Rips + Tears
Pocket wear and tear, broken zippers, missing pull tabs and damaged interior lining can all make your item less functional. We can mend these small flaws to make your bag work for you. We can also create custom inserts for your item from high-quality felt or leather which helps keep you organized and your bag interior looking fab.
Replacement
Sometimes linings are worn beyond repair and they should be replaced altogether. We can replace the lining to be as close to the original as possible or guide you through custom colours, pocket configurations and the best materials to use for form and function.
EXTERIOR
Edge Coat
Also known as edge glaze or ink, this flexible synthetic coating is used in handbag construction to provide a beautiful finish and durability to raw leather edges. It is very common for this to crack or peel over time. We have perfected this multi-step application over years and utilize professional-grade products to provide a beautiful new edge.
Straps + Handles
Straps and handles take the most stress and deterioration with use. We have the ability to repair or recreate straps and handles to match, with a range of leather types, custom colour matching and impeccable hardware sourcing. This includes chaps and tabs where the straps are attached to the body of the bag. We can also shorten or lengthen straps/handles to tailor your bag to your body-type and preferred style, including crossbody conversion.
Exposed Piping
Piping is the narrow, round edged trim common to bag bottoms and corners. Usually made from leather with a plastic or fibre core, piping can wear through and expose the internal core. We have methods of filling and blending small tears, or replacing the piping completely if necessary.
Stitching
Stitching is truly the heart of leather craft and a crucial aspect of handbag construction. We've perfected the art of saddle stitching; the traditional two-needle sewing method created for equestrian tack and elevated by Hermès. We also have three specialty industrial sewing machines to match any type of machine-stitching. We source thread from a variety of quality purveyors to create an invisible repair.
Corner Wear
Corner wear and scuffing are the most common issues we see with handbags. Even the most well-cared for bags will eventually see small marks on the corners. We can carefully smooth, fill and recolour corners to make your bag look brand new and completely refreshed. We use fine art brushes to provide light, even coverage and avoid colouring any exposed stitching.
Zippers & Hardware
We are obsessed with details and hardware is no exception. We have authentic replacement hardware and excellent quality unbranded pieces to match any item. We source only high-quality parts and zippers with beautiful thick plating (nickel, gold tone + gold) or solid brass. We use zippers from the same manufacturers as the major design houses. We source period correct parts for vintage pieces to retain an authentic look.
FINE ART & PERSONALIZATION
Screenprinted Items
Most common at Louis Vuitton, screen printed items include the Vivienne Holiday Animations, 'The Groom' Collection from Marc Jacobs, The Stephen Sprouse Graffiti & Rose collections, many of the Murakami items, Kusama collection, Mon Monogram items, the 'Trunks & Bags' Collection, along with many other limited edition items. Once worn away, these cannot be restored by LV. Our fine art department carefully colour matches & replicates the original design. Once sealed, this offers a durable restoration & new life to the item.
Initials & Stripes
A very old luggage tradition was to have your intials and a signature stripe added to each piece, to make your items stnad out in a crowd, especially when trunks were still common. This has carried into a modern style for trunks & everyday bags alike. Sometimes you may want your initials added to an item, sometimes you need to resell an item and remove initials, and sometimes you might see a bag with someone else's initials on it for a great deal. Whatever the case may be, we're here to help. We use durable, flexible pigment products combined with an artisan hand for clean, sharp, long lasting solutions.
Pattern Restoration
Common with corner wear or scuffing, or from removing personalization, sometimes the classic coated canvas patterns will wear away. These can be carefully replicated by hand; custom colour matched & applied with fine art tools and an artisan hand.
Currently accepting: LV Damier Azure & Damier Ebene, Goyard Goyardine in all colours, two-tone Chanel Caviar, two-tone Epi Leather...
At this time, we are unable to accept LV Classic Monogram or Multicolore Items.
L O U I S V U I T T O N
Vachetta
Vachetta is the fine-grained, veg tan leather that is used for trim and accents on almost all monogram items. Prone to water spots, staining, cracking and uneven patina, it's a point of contention for dealers and collectors alike. We can rebuild and recreate vachetta pieces to restore bags that aren't accepted by the official channels. We also offer 'patina matching' if you prefer that the new trim pieces match the rest; it will continue to darken and age with the rest of the item.
Yellow Thread
Creating invisible restoration is always our goal, and thread sourcing is an important aspect of that. We've spent many hours and many spools making sure that the signature LV yellow is spot on. This colour has changed shades and weights throughout the years, so we have an era-specific thread to perfectly match your vintage or modern item.
Coated Canvas
Coated canvas is the material that made Louis Vuitton what is it today. The material is very durable until it does inevitably crack. Small hairline cracks can be glued and filled. Larger cracks or missing canvas can be filled and pattern matched. Beyond that, custom solutions can be created for vintage or damaged items which need further reinforcement.
Hardware
We have a back stock of salvaged, branded LV hardware; rivets, zipper pulls, d-rings, buckles and feet. We also have period-correct unbranded options; in either solid brass, nickel and gold-tone to match. When working on restorations, we strive to reuse the hardware original to your item. We also source period correct zippers, in either solid brass or plated metal.
Custom Solutions
We are able to mend and restore small cracks in the coated canvas that LV is famous for. However, we also offer custom solutions for bags that could not otherwise be worked on. We understand the importance of sentimental pieces and love the challenge of giving new life to vintage items.
Alcantara
Alcantara is a synthetic ultrasuede fabric used in luxury automobiles + yachts. This lining fabric is used in many LV pieces, so we've acquired specialty cleaning and care products. If the material is ripped or stained beyond restoration, we are also able to rebuild interiors in high grade ultrasuede. If you'd prefer a custom colour, we can also offer protected suede, such as the rose-pink replacement pictured above.
C H A N E L
Simple Stitch
We've perfected the 'simple stitch' that's prone to popping on flap bags. Compared to the official after-care services, we offer a quick turnaround as opposed to months spent without your favourite item. This service is non-invasive and does not 'alter' your item or affect your ability to receive future 'official' spa services.
Caviar
Caviar is a textured leather that is made from grained calfskin. If you are looking for more of an every day bag, caviar offers a lot more wear resistance than lambskin. However, it's still susceptible to corner wear and scratches. Some of the best discontinued Chanel bags come in caviar, such as the GST. Preserving and restoring these wonderful pieces is our pleasure.
Woven Chain
We love the iconic details of Chanel and nothing says 'classic' like the beautifully woven leather and chain strap. If the strap has only light wear, we can restore the existing leather with recolouration and conditioning. If it is worn beyond restoration, we can replace this leather with the same type, width, fold and colour to retain an authentic look to your item.
Colouration
As with any leather, careless recolouring will ruin the hand feel of the piece and tiny stitches can fill up with pigment. Chanel bags have very tight stitching and are usually made from soft leathers that can be ruined by incorrect products very easily. We dye and recolour carefully, and build up colour slowly to retain proper temper, even on very vintage pieces.
Lambskin
In the world of delicate luxury handbags, Chanel lambskin is notorious. It has varied in durability over the years but is very soft and supple, prone to scratches, wear and colour loss. The fine grain of the leather means that over conditioning will ruin it, but dryness can be equally destructive. We have the specialty products necessary to retain the fine beauty of these precious pieces.
Hardware
We can source perfectly matched hardware, such as the stud backs on the Boy strap pictured above. The pink strap is original, and the black strap features the replacement backs we sourced to match rhodium hardware. We were able to offer these for less than half the price quoted by Chanel, and these will not alter the bag permanently. We also have chain shorteners, custom chain lengths, and custom grommets.
