revival instinct

A growing number of specialist bag restoration services give cherished treasures a new lease of life.

- VALECIA LEE

“BUY LESS, CHOOSE WELL, MAKE IT LAST” said the late fashion designer and visionary Dame Vivienne Westwood. While this quality-over-quantity ethos runs contrary to the hyper-consumerist zeitgeist of today, there are encouraging signs that more shoppers are beginning to embrace this maxim. In particular, an increasing number of consumers are seeking to restore rather than replace their sartorial possessions, evinced by the rise of leather goods restoration services in Singapore to meet this burgeoning demand. One of the new kids on the block is Margo & Smith, founded by husband-and-wife duo John Chung and Salina Chai.

“Despite the abundance of luxury bag repair stores and bag spas in Asia, I found none that emphasised meticulous craftsmanship over quick sales and unnecessary services,” says Chai. So she decided to start her own. Margo & Smith combines her fashion industry and digital content creator experience with her husband’s decade-long expertise in repairing and restoring leather shoes. “We wanted to modernise the image of traditional handbag restoration kiosks and street cobblers, and promote sustainability and the craftsmanship behind each repair,” she emphasises.