Luxury Saffiano Leather
Saffiano leather has become increasingly popular in recent years. Although the leather was used exclusively by Prada for decades, it eventually made its way into products from Michael Kors, Tory Burch, Coach, and Longchamp, just to name a few. The leather has gained such tremendous popularity because it combines exceptional durability and stain resistance with elegance and class.
However, only fashion and leather experts are familiar with Saffiano's close cousin, Palmellato leather. Palmellato leather is very similar to Saffiano leather in terms of durability and appearance, with a slight difference in its surface pattern, making it much more difficult to find. That's why we selected Palmellato leather for some of our classic belts for women. Continue reading to learn how they are made, how they are similar and different, and how to take care of them.
The production process and history.
In the fashion world, a great deal of innovations originate in Italy, particularly in the case of Saffiano leather, which was allegedly created by Mario Prada himself. The new leather optic was patented by Prada, and it has been used for many of the company's most successful bags ever since. Following the patent expiration, other brands began using Saffiano leather as well.
The Saffiano leather is known for its diagonal lines and cross-hatch pattern, which are pressed into the wax coating of the leather to give it a slight shine. These types of leather are also referred to as "textured leathers". Saffiano leather can be made of real leather or faux leather. In order to hide imperfections, less expensive corrected leathers - which are an inferior quality of real leather - are often used, as they conceal imperfections of the hide.
Once the leather has been heated to about 70°C, the Saffiano or Palmellato pattern is machine pressed into the leather for 10-15 seconds before being treated with a protective wax finish, making the leather very resistant to stains, scratches and water damage. This kind of leather is relatively indestructible, but it can be damaged by items with very sharp edges which can cut through the wax finish. Aside from improving durability, the coating gives the leather a distinctive sheen and allows the creation of a wide variety of colors.
Similar but slightly different surface optics were created over time. Among them was Palmellato. The difference between Saffiano and it is the slightly rounded grain pattern, which gives it a more uniform appearance. Similarly to Saffiano, Palmellato is very resistant to stains, scratches, and water while still maintaining its elegant look. Because of these unique attributes, many high-end fashion houses use Saffiano or Palmellato leathers in their products.
How to Care for it
Palmellato and Saffiano are both very durable and easy to clean. Please consult any care tags with specific instructions before cleaning your Palmellato or Saffiano product. Cleaning instructions are not always present or may not be effective, so you can try following care instructions at your own risk.
Before you begin to clean your bag, wallet, or purse, empty it. Whatever cleaning method you choose, always keep in mind that your selected method may damage the leather but in general a damp cloth should suffice for most of your cleaning needs. To avoid damaging the item, we recommend you test your chosen cleaning method in a concealed area before applying it to the entire area. Make sure you check the surface of the cloth, brush, or sponge to see if it is removing any color from the leather. If it is, stop immediately and use a different cleaning method.
Lighter stains and dust can be removed with a damp, soft cloth. Baby wipes are an excellent alternative, as they are very gentle. If you find it difficult to clean the groves in the grain pattern, use a slightly damp soft brush instead. It is important not to press too hard on the leather, as this can damage the slight sheen and grain pattern. If you have a more serious stain that cannot be removed with any of the aforementioned methods, you may need to purchase a specialized stain remover for the specific stain you have. When removing stains from Palmellato or Saffiano leather, make sure the stain remover is approved for use on them.
If you choose any of these options, we recommend you clean the leather with the grain pattern. Allow the leather to dry naturally at room temperature, ideally in an area with dry air flow and away from heat sources. We recommend that if your leather has even more severe stains, you seek the assistance of a professional leather cleaning company. The investment will be worthwhile.
Storage and Use
Premium leather goods typically come with a dust bag. Always keep your product in its bag when not in use. Therefore, no dust or dirt will collect on it, and accidental spills aren't a concern. You should also store your Saffiano or Palmellato leather product away from direct sunlight, radiators, or extreme heat changes, as this may alter the color of the leather or modify its shape over time. Place some old newspapers inside Saffiano or Palmellato bags when you are not using them to keep their shape for as long as possible. If you want to keep the leather soft, you can also use a leather conditioner made for Saffiano or Palmellato leather. You might find all of this quite inconvenient in the short term, but you will reap the benefits in the long run.