HOW TO LOOK AFTER YOUR LEATHER IN SUMMER

Leather carries stories - but summer in South Africa asks more of it. Long hours in the sun, days by the sea, and the rhythm of the Oranjezicht City Farmers Market in Cape Town all expose your bag to heat, sand, and salt. Caring for leather in this season is not about perfectionism, but about creating a ritual.

Direct sun can dry and fade leather. When not in use, place your bag in its dust cover - a simple gesture that preserves both shape and tone. A light conditioner, applied sparingly, keeps smooth leather supple. The Alba Mini, with its compact silhouette, only grows softer with this care. Suede requires a different approach. It should never be exposed to water or conditioner - instead, brush gently with a suede brush to lift dust and restore texture, and always store it in a cool, dry space.

Summer also asks for ease: a leather tote bag, unburdened by excess weight, retains its natural structure. Rotate between styles to allow each piece time to breathe. The ritual of changing bags is also the ritual of seeing them anew.

Caring for leather is less about rules and more about rhythm - a seasonal reminder that the objects we choose live with us, and become more beautiful over time.

Explore the full collection of VERSE leather bags online, or visit us at the Oranjezicht Market Cape Town every Saturday and Sunday.