My BV wallet (Lamb Skin) 20 months on...
REVIEW OF MY VERY FIRST LUXURY WALLET
In a blink of an eye, 20 months has passed since I first started using it... I still vividly remember more than 2 years ago I was using a Black Bonia Men's Wallet, a birthday gift from my 4th Uncle. (Till today, this wallet is still serving me very well as a Travel Wallet together with my BV.)
After working for a couple of years, I finally decided that I should pamper myself a little and get a better wallet. So I started looking at several luxury brands I knew like Prada, Burberry, LV, Gucci, Ferragarmo, Balley, Ralph Lauren, Tumi. Reading through different forums and websites talking about the pros and cons of these wallets and i also asked my group of friends about their recommendations, until one of them recommended Bottega Veneta.
I thought to myself: "I have never heard of this brand before..." and that started my research about BV...its manufacturing process...its history...
The more I research, the more I am attracted to the rich history of BV and their dedication on making fine wallets.
I still remember I went down to MBS BV boutique a couple of times to look at theirs mens wallet range until one of the SA recognised me lolx... So paiseh...
I didn't buy from the shop actually. I bought it through a MO in HWZ. I remembered it was like $200 cheaper than Singapore BV shop. But the visit to MBS BV helped to build a friendly relationship with them.
When I received this wallet, I was over the moon... I gently ran my fingers over the smooth and soft surface of the lambskin and I developed a habit... I like to smell my wallet... =P
In the first few months after I started using I was extremely careful because i read from forums that Lamb skin BV wallets require much more care than Calf skin series... Therefore, I never put my wallet in my front pockets or back pockets of my pants. Either hold in my hands or put in my work bag.
But gradually, as the months rolled on, the wallet started to season and the grains of the lambskin began to show its real beauty... The leather itself also started to become slightly tougher and was able to withstand slightly rougher handling.
After about 8months, I started to put my wallet in the front pocket of my pants. But I still have the habit of holding it in my palm.
But what I like most about this wallet is during overseas trips. Unlike other brands like Gucci, LV, Burberry, whereby the brand name is printed all over their wallets and sometimes it is easy to attracted unnecessary attention.
BV wallet is far more quieter, due to its weaving pattern and more importantly, their persistence on the "NO LOGO" design. Its extremely easy to mistake this wallet as a $10 "Pasar Malam" wallet which sports similar design LOLX.
Over the last 20 months, I have relatives and friends asking me whether I bought my wallet at "Wallet Shop" or Pedro or Isetan or BHG and how much it cost. Most of them actually don't know about BV and was shocked when I told them the price of BV wallets.
Now, 20 months later... Although cracks are starting to appear on the corners and places whereby the leather will bend... The wallet is still holding up very well. And of course certain level of "Tender, Loving, Care" is still necessary.. It is at the end of the day, Lambskin...
Next review??? maybe 4 months later... to commemorate 2 years =)
