Cleanig a BRASS material

We are getting out of the box again. We will have a step by step tutorial in how to clean and maintain the brass hardware on your precious bags.  I have brass problems on my bags ever since. It's really annoying to see faded or tarnished brass hardware on your bag but i have found and read few articles on how to clean and maintain the beauty of your brass hardware. I have tried it and for sure will also love the results. Lets first start by knowing what brass means.
Brass is an alloy made of copper and zinc; the proportions of zinc and copper can be varied to create a range of brasses with varying properties.^[1] It is a substitutional alloy: atoms of the two constituents may replace each other within the same crystal structure. (info is from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brass)

Now that we know what brass means we proceed knowing how to clean a brass material:

• Cleaning Brass material using Metal Polish or Brass Polish (paste form)
• Use a clean white soft cloth.
• Before polished wipe away the dirt on the hardware.
• Apply a small amount of Metal polish on your white cloth. it should be sufficient enough to cover the brass material that you will clean.
• If your cleaning a tiny brass material you can also use a cotton ball or the tip of the cotton buds.
• Don't let the cleaner touch your leather, vinyl or canvass bag it may form discoloration and can ruin your bag. If in case you will have it in your bag just wipe it off as quickly as possible.
• Cleaning Brass material using Ketchup
• Apply a small amount of ketchup in your soft cloth or enough amount to clean your brass hardware.
• Rub the ketchup on the tarnished are of the hardware that you need to clean.
• Did you know that the acid from the tomatoes are strong enough to take away the tarnish of the brass hardware but soft enough to damage it.
• Use a dry cloth to remove the ketchup to your brass hardware and with a damp cloth after.
• Buff it continuously with a dry cloth and in a circular motion. 
• I read this at http://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Brass-Jewelry 

I have use these two mean in cleaning my brass hardware to my Michael Kors Bags and Tommy Hilfiger. I hope this could help you clean your brass hardware in your bag and your bag can be beautiful again.  We will be posting pictures soon, will clean again some of my bags :)

Bagista Filipina's: What's in your Bag? Promo

Since we are celebrating 1 year of success on online business. We decided to have a give away ti give back and thank all our avid liker, loyal followers and the never ending support of our clients. We launch it last February 17, 2014 and the promo will end this coming March 31, 2014. We will only choose 3 lucky winners. Please see mechanics and prizes that awaits below:

Album cover for the promo.

Prizes that awaits for our lucky winner.

If you want to join please read above :)

We hope everyone wins but only three winners will be chosen. Hurry you can still join!

1 year na kami ng B.F. ko.. (an anniversary sale)

Let's get out of the box for now by checking online SALE!!!! Bagista Filipina is celebrating one year of success in online selling that's why they have offer a 3 day sale starting March 15-17, 2014. Many are wondering about the the tag line of the anniversary sale "1 year na kami ng B.F. ko..." it's just a way of teasing our curious mind and really a clever one to advertise a sale and an annversary.

            
               Posted below are coupon code for sale items happening on Saturday until Monday. 

                                       Let's all Party and celebrate with us as we turn 1!

How to SPOT: THE NORTH FACE

• Always check for the tag inside the bag it should be the holographic tag or the, The North Face Red tag. (please see below pics)
• For bags like Big shots and small shots the back portion should be foamy or you could check and squeeze it if it has foams.
• Check the zippers, it should be YKK.
• The R in North Face is a distinguish one.
• North Face are made from: China, Vietnam, India, USA, El Salvador  and Spain. 

North Face uses YKK zipper.

You can see the white tag inside beside it is a holographic tag. There is also another tag which has a red North Face tag I haven't seen any but will try to search for one.

All North Face backpack has a whistle on the back portion of the bag.

Compare this logo to the logo below try looking at the "R".

The letter R is a very distinctive letter in North Face bags.

How to SPOT: BURBERRY

Burberry Nova Check Tote Bag

• Mostly Burberry tote bags are made in PVC also known as Vinyl Coated Canvass. It's a leather like texture and stain free.
• Another area that you should take inconsideration is the pattern of the bag it should be perfectly horizontal and vertical lines or stripes. Line should be clean or no smudge.
• Inside the bag, inside tag should match the lining color of the bag.
• Zipper have two color, Gold or Silver only
• The brand of the metal zipper should be: Lampo, Riri and YKK
• Where does Burberry are made? China, Romania, Poland, Spain, India, Italy, England and US.

Will post pictures soon.

How to SPOT: GUESS

• Check the tag, tag should have a rounded sides not square. Some sellers removed the tags for Customs purposes.
• Always check the tags inside stating the "MADE in CHINA". Yes you read it right "MADE in CHINA". Almost all of the bags are manufactured in China. I have also read one blog that some GUESS bags are made in INDONESIA.  (http://www.ebay.com/gds/How-to-Spot-Fake-GUESS-Bags-after-the-purchased-/10000000175637903/g.html)
• For newer bag designs, you will see a metal name plate sewn in the bag.
• Online business is a matter of trust so it is much better if you ask the seller if we they can come with you to let the bag be check at the boutique.
• Check the dust bag the latest dustbag of GUESS is the white one with red GUESS print. (will show some pics later)
• Lastly always check the name of the product or check online if GUESS has that kind of bag. Dont be fooled by the cute and sassy looking fake designs. GUESS only design a Sophisticated bag.

Made in CHINA tag.

Guess Brand tag inside the bag.

How to SPOT: LONGCHAMP

Longchamp Le Pliage 
Please check this website for more photos of the fake and authentic.
http://snobaffair.com/susan/2012/08/how-to-spot-a-fake-longchamp-le-pliage-tote-the-super-guide/

• Your longchamp bag should have a diamond pattern in the outer flap of the bag.
• Flap should have a rich tan color and if you look much closer you will see the uneven color of the flap.
• Snap button should read LONGCHAMP 1948 not vice versa.
• On the back side of the snap button you should read ORIGINAL PYRM 6/4B if you read other than this specially GUANG TONG. Its definitely a fake.
• Way back then LONGCHAMP is manufactures in France but they need to out sourced some other country that manufactured LONGCHAMP is CHINA and TUNISIA.
• Zipper used should be YKK.
• Zipper pulls should have LONGCHAMP (upper) 1948 (below). but some of the older model has LONGCHAMP (upper) then Paris or France (below).
• Snap Button inside has a disk shape plastic.
•  Transparent tag inside should have 10 model number, country of origin and care instructions.
• Style Number:  

I just Copied this part to
http://snobaffair.com/susan/2012/08/how-to-spot-a-fake-longchamp-le-pliage-tote-the-super-guide/

Small Long Handle Tote, “SHOPPING”: 2605089###
Medium Long Handle Tote, “SHOPPING”: 1899089### ———-
The old version of Medium Long Handle Tote, “SHOPPING” : 2724089###

Small Short Handle Tote, TYPE “S”: 1621089###
Medium Short handle Tote, TYPE “M”: 1623089###
Large Short handle Tote, TYPE “L”: 1624089###
Extra-Large Short handle Tote, TYPE “XL”: 1625089###

Rectangular Tote model (No Zipper), “CABAS”: 2704089###
Backpack Model, “SAC À DOS”: 1699089###

Check their website for color code table :)

See more at: http://snobaffair.com/susan/2012/08/how-to-spot-a-fake-longchamp-le-pliage-tote-the-super-guide/#sthash.OsRNz0P8.dpuf

Flap should have a DIAMOND pattern.

You should see or touch the logo from behind.

Longchamp bag uses YKK zipper. Zipper pull should be Longchamp then 1948. Jockey should be facing

 the left side.

Back snap button should have original prym 6/4b

The transparent tag where you will know the details of your bag.

The handle should be round not flat.

LONGCHAMP LM METAL

• Check the back of the bag it says "MODELE DEPOSE" meaning original design. Please see photos below for comparison. Le pliage and LM Metal has almost the same aspect in checking the authenticity.

Always remember that all authentic Longchamp bags has this plastic disk.

Sample of transparent tag.

LM Metal Back portion stating "Modele Depose"

Uses YKK zipper.

Front flap of LM Metal.

How to SPOT: MICHAEL KORS EARRINGS/BRACELET/NECKLACE

MICHAEL KORS TOGGLE BRACELET/NECKLACE/EARRINGS

• Most of the MK accessories that you can find in the online market are made of STAINLESS STEEL but when you check Michael Kors website you can see that most bracelets are made of BRASS.
• Brass is an alloy made of copper and zinc; the proportions of zinc and copper can be varied to create a range of brasses with varying properties. It is a substitutional alloy: atoms of the two constituents may replace each other within the same crystal structure. (from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brass)
• Most online sellers just offer plastic and an MK care card to the package inclusions.
• Your package should be compose of a box, a tag, a pouch and a card, but few sellers can have these inclusions(if you want this better look for a seller who's getting her items in US or better buy at MK Greenbelt). So better to look for seller who has a pouch and a tag.
• Mostly, brass can fade but it will depend on the kind of brass used. Brass can last up to 5 years depending on the climate and the usage of the jewelry. I also have read on how to clean your tarnished jewelry with ketchup and hot water and mild soap.
  

  

  Authentic Michael Kors Accesories with pouch

   
• 

  I bought this one from an online seller claiming its AUTHENTIC but she told me it's made of STAINLESS STEEL.

  
  

How to SPOT: MICHAEL KORS

MICHAEL KORS

• Michael Kors bags have INSIGNIAS on every metal part of the bag.
• MK uses only Silver and Gold Metal.
• if your MK has LARGE stitching its a FAKE.
• Take time to look at the tag it should be in light brown tag.
• Check the MK lettering it should be very close together.
• Never forget to check the inside of your bag, you will see a transparent tag indicating the "MADE IN (BLANK)" part, mostly you will see made in China, Indonesia and Malaysia. Then below it  you will see a 2 letter and a 4 number, the 2 letters signifies the style of the bag and the numbers are the year and the month it was made.
• Most of MK bags uses YKK zipper.
• There are many knock off bag at this time so its better to buy from a reputable online shop, and if you have time to visit the mall check the item that you want to buy then compare it to the online shop that you want to buy in.
• MK bags was originally made or manufactured in the US previously but in 2008 they move to CHINA. Yes you read it right CHINA.

 Photos below are signs of authentic Michael Kors:

Care Card (Front)

 

Care Card (back)

Tag (back)

 

Tag (front)

Dust Bag, it should be off white or cream in color

Hang tag

Sample of Insignia in brass hardware

Sample of Insignia in brass hardware

Transparent tag found inside your bag, indicating the year, month and style number. 

Sample of transparent tag with "MADE IN"

How to SPOT: NINE WEST

NINE WEST

• Always check the stitching of the bag.
• Smell and touch the leather of the bag, it should smell a genuine leather (this is a strong smell). Leather also should be glossy.
• Check the brand tag of the bag it has only two colors either gold or silver. Brand tag are either on the outside or inside of the bag.

• lets face it nine west bag are not like Michael Kors or Kate Spade bags. They sell Nine West much affordable than the brand I mentioned, you will distinctly know that the Nine West bag is original or not. 
 

Sample of a metal brand tag inside the bag.

 

 

Another sample of metal brand tag from Nine West Jacquard Shopper Bag.

 

Sample of Nine West tag back portion.

 

Sample of tag inside a Nine West bag.

 

 

 

 

How to Spot: KATE SPADE

KATE SPADE
Where does Kate Spade bag made? 

•  USA, China, Taiwan (straw bags), Italy (leather), Indonesia and the Philippines (straw bags up to 2002 only). You read it right CHINA and the PHILIPPINES (straw bags only)!
• Nylon bags are usually made from the US until 2002.
• Look at the brand tag, for leather it should be embossed and never glued. for fabric tags it should be sewn not glued again and look at the letters it should be in LOWER CASE/ SMALL LETTER. Fake ones have capital letters
• Always take not that Kate Spade does not have metal brand tags. The only brand tag that in metal is from the palm beach collection way back 2001

See attached Photo:

This Kate Spade brand tag is from my Kate Spade Wallet. Closely look how the letter have spaces.

 

Both brand tags are Authentic. Always check the S and the P, S should not be close to P.
 For more info kindly check the blog that i have read. Lower Brand Tag is not mine.
http://www.ebay.com/gds/How-to-Spot-a-Fake-Kate-Spade-Bag-PART-3-/10000000009528996/g.html

Sample of Kate Spade in gold stamped.

Some bags have a Spade metal brass inside their bag.

Tags you can find inside the bag.

Zipper used is YKK.

Spade Insignia in the zipper.

Made in "country" tag.

Metal tag outside the bag.

How to SPOT: COACH

Coach

• Coach Bag or wristlet usually have zipper that is made by YKK, but some of the other Coach products don’t have YKK as their zipper but it doesn’t mean that it is fake already. You will feel and you can see whether your Coach is authentic or not. Some other zippers used by Coach. Talon or Coach.
• The MADE IN CHINA tag inside, does these mean its fake? Actually no!!, Some Coach products are manufactured in China and the other countries and the materials they used came from the country of origin which is ITALY. Other countries where Coach Bags are made US, Costa Rica, Hungary, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Turkey, Italy and India.
• The Credo Patch,  The last 4-5 digits of the serial number is the style number of the bag.
• Hang tags should be EMBOSSED not INGRAVED.
• Always buy from reputable Sellers and they are willing to meet you in person for you to see the bags personally.

First Photo is the Authentic one, check the letter A and the letter C.
at the lower part is the fake tag. (Photo Source from : http://spotfakehandbags.com/fake-coach-zippers.html)

Authentic