The washable, ironable, packable raffia hats and bags of Leinné
Raffia lies at the core of our identity and has been used as the main materials for signature hats and bags lines. Humble as it may seem, raffia has long been considered the heart of high fashion. At Leinné, we source high-quality raffia to craft eco-luxury, sensual objects, an expertise that turns ordinary into precious.
What is raffia?
Raffia is a straw-like material gained from palm trees, a species native to Madagascar, where the very best of its kind flourish. Different kinds of raffia palm trees can also be found across South East Asia, and South and Central America.
Raffia harvesting is generally considered sustainable. The raffia fiber is obtained by peeling of raffia palm leaves and sun drying the strands, which means the plant isn’t harmed and can continue to grow and produce. As they begin to dry out, the green strands change into a beautiful natural beige color as we usually see. Raffia is totally natural, environmentally-friendly and biodegradable.
Characteristics
A true gem in textile, raffia earns love thanks to its excellent attributes. It’s strong, soft, anti-UV, and incredibly resilient. It contains natural resin which makes it flexible enough for manipulating, and durable enough to refrain from becoming brittle over time. Raffia is often preferred by craftsmen as it is lightweight, easy to dye, skin-friendly, and can be made into garments that are unique in appeal.
Raffia at Leinné
In Leinné workshop, raffia, under the hands of experienced craftsmen, will be manipulated to be unique artworks – from design to detail.
The manual works contribute the most to the perfection of the product, because these are semi-handmade items with great difficulty, requiring meticulousness and patience. Manual operations require skills and creativity. What our craftsmen use in our atelier are usually very simple: needles for sewing, crocheting, knitting; a professional sewing machine, a manual sewing machine for making small details, and different types of scissors, steam irons, bulldozers…
From natural raffia, we make sensual and beautiful hats, bags, shoes and accessories that follow you through voyages. Their quality and authenticity are best expressed in every thread and seam that showcase the manufacturer’s expertise and skill. Every piece reflects the quintessence of craftsmanship and natural beauty, enabling the owner to form a personal connection with the design they choose to own through just a single touch.
Black raffia: A unique creation
Always in quest for originality, Leinné has created its distinctive black raffia.
Not the solid black color, Leinné black raffia is flexible in tones, carrying the light from the lustrous natural raffia threads.
Raffia is dyed using natural dyes. A different dosage of each pigment can give a different shade, so there are no two pieces that are exactly the same.
Uneven shade or brownish spots on the black raffia designs are to be expected as the nature of the material.
The black color on raffia fades over time, depending on how you take care of your product(s). The color of black raffia or other dyes last longer when you limit the exposure to direct sunlight.
By reinventing our signature material, we affirm our commitment to challenging ourselves in the creative journey, and creating unique pieces that reflects our exceptional artisanship heritage.
Raffia care guide
1/ CLEANING
Your raffia designs can be spot-cleaned with a soft bristled brush, mild soap and little water.
DO NOT wring or soak raffia hats in water.
2/ DRYING
Natural raffia: Dry under sunlight, on a flat surface.
Black & dyed raffia: Dry in shade. Avoid drying under direct sunlight.
3/ PACKING
Your hat would not take any place in the suitcase if you follow our steps.
1. Place heavy clothes in your suitcase first. (With bag: you can skip this step).
2. Put paper/cloth into the crown and avoid crushing the hat for a long time with heavy items.
3. Place the hat into your suitcase/bag and ensure that the brim is straightened.
4. Put other things on to the brim, around the hat. Avoid folding the brim.
Avoid folding the brim with corners (brim can be curved on 2 sides in case there is not enough place for your large brim)
If your hat has a downturned brim, the brim should be curved up to be able to sit on the flat surface without bending the brim.
4/ IRONING
- If the brim is curved or folded:
Iron will smooth out the fold.
Use a home iron (more effective with a steam iron), then place a pressing cloth between the iron and the item to avoid scorching.
- If the crown is deformed:
It will be reformed when you continue wearing it, or push papers into the crown for a few days. You can also iron the item by putting clothes into the crown and iron it as ironing the brim.
LEINNÉ MAINTENANCE SERVICE
We do not have a warranty for products of natural origin.
If you need support with ironing raffia products, you can send your items to us (charges apply). Whenever you want to fix any part, please contact us. Leinné Concierge will do the best we can.
Raffia-based products are usually highly durable thanks to the processing techniques and selection of the Leinné workshop. Leinné raffia is divided into 3 types to suit many different product lines.
Over the course of use and washing, the shiny coat on the surface of the raffia designs will fade and the color will turn darker. It is a characteristic of raffia and many natural fibers.
Products of raffia origin do not get moldy in normal environments, but if kept in unventilated environments, the temperature difference between the outside and inside the product bag may cause the products to be moldy. It is even more common to raffia products that have experienced soaking in water.
When not in use, raffia products should be placed in a well-ventilated place. Do not leave it in the car for a long time.