FAQs : The Archive Protocol

The Essentials

Is the Archive Protocol safe for all luxury brands?

Yes. Our formulas are crafted to be compatible with the finest leathers, canvases, and fabrics used by leading luxury houses. Whether you are caring for a heritage Mulberry, a Dior monogram, or any other fine leather good, our protocol is designed to purify and nourish without compromising the integrity of the material.

Is @fortheloveofMulberry part of Archive Essentials?

Yes. @fortheloveofMulberry is our social accounts through which we share our interest in caring for and preserving bags.

Archive Essentials is our independent leather-care brand. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to Mulberry.

Is Archive Essentials affiliated with the luxury brands featured on your site?

No. Archive Essentials is an independent brand specialising in professional leather care and preservation. We are not affiliated, associated, authorised, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Mulberry, or any other luxury fashion house featured in our educational case studies.

Our mission is to provide independent, expert-led care rituals to help you preserve the heritage and longevity of your collection. All brand names and trademarks mentioned are used solely for descriptive purposes to identify the specific leather types and silhouettes we are working with.

How often should I perform the Archive Ritual?

For active collections, we recommend a light purification every 3 months and a full nourishment ritual every 6 months to keep the leather supple and protected.

How long will one bottle last?

Our formulas are highly concentrated. One 100ml bottle typically provides enough formula for 10–15 full preservation treatments, making it a long-term investment for your collection.

Can I use these products on exotic leathers?

We recommend caution with exotic leathers (such as ostrich, python, or lizard). While our products are formulated for high-end calfskin, lambskin, and coated canvas, exotic leathers require specialised care. Please contact our concierge team before applying any product to exotic finishes.

Care & Application

How do I know which kit is right for my bag?

* The Preventive Kit: Best for new bags or those in excellent condition. Use this to shield your investment from the elements before wear begins.

* The Deep Cleanse & Protect Kit: Best for daily-wear bags, coated canvases, and heritage leathers that need a refresh and a barrier against future wear.

* The Luxury Restore & Replenish Kit: Best for vintage, dry, or "thirsty" leathers that have lost their natural oils and need deep hydration to regain their depth and suppleness.

Why not just send my bag away to be professionally cleaned?

That's a great option for major damage, but for regular maintenance, the Archive Ritual is the best way to keep your bag's original character intact between now and then. It's designed to prevent the need for major restoration in the first place — proactive stewardship, not emergency repair.

Why not just follow my brand's own care guide?

Official guides are a great starting point, but they're often written to be extremely cautious and generic across an entire product line. The Archive Ritual gives you expert-level techniques tailored to your leather's specific needs, helping maintain its health and lustre in ways broader guides often miss.

Is the Archive Protocol safe for all leather types?

Yes. Our formulas have been rigorously tested and are proven effective on a wide range of luxury finishes, including Congo-embossed, Ostrich, Lambskin, and Calfskin. We focus on gentle, effective purification and nourishment that respects the unique grain and texture of every leather type.

Do I need to test the product first?

Always. We recommend performing a "patch test" on an inconspicuous area—such as the inside of a strap or the base of the bag—to ensure colourfastness and compatibility before applying to the entire piece.

What should I do if my bag has edge wear or structural scuffs?

Edge wear is a natural part of a vintage piece's journey. Our Archive Protocol focuses on stabilising the material to prevent further fraying. For deep structural repairs or colour restoration, we recommend consulting a specialist artisan.

How do you source your vintage pieces?

We personally source every piece in the Archive Essentials collection, looking for bags with provenance and potential. Our mission is to act as stewards for these heritage items—finding them, meticulously preserving their character, and ensuring they remain in rotation for the next generation of collectors.

Orders & Shipping

Do you ship internationally?

Yes — we ship to France, Germany, Spain, and the United States, with more destinations coming soon. All international orders are dispatched from our UK studio within 1 business day (orders placed before 1pm).

How much does international shipping cost?

* European Union (France, Germany, Spain): £15

* United States: £22

Will I have to pay customs charges or import duties?

Import duties and taxes are not included in the item price or shipping cost for international orders. Depending on your country's customs policy, you may be asked to pay these charges when your parcel arrives. We're working on offering duty-paid checkout for international orders — in the meantime, please check with your local customs office if you'd like to estimate these costs in advance.

How long will my international order take to arrive?

* European Union: 5–10 working days

* United States: 7–14 working days

What are your UK delivery times?

We aim to dispatch in-stock UK orders placed before 1 pm on the same dispatch day, including Saturdays, subject to Royal Mail accepting the parcel. Orders placed after 1 pm are processed on the next dispatch day. At checkout, you can choose Royal Mail Tracked 24 or Royal Mail 48. Delivery times are estimates, not guarantees, and begin after dispatch. Pre-orders follow the estimated dispatch date shown on their product page.

Choose your preferred delivery speed at checkout:

* Royal Mail 24: Typically arrives within 1 business day after dispatch.

* Royal Mail 48: Typically arrives within 2–3 business days after dispatch.

What are your UK shipping rates?

* Royal Mail 24: £4.65

* Royal Mail 48: £3.65

Can I return an international order?

International orders are non-returnable unless the item arrives damaged or defective. If your order arrives in an unsatisfactory condition, please contact us within 14 days of delivery with your order number and photographs of the damage, and we will arrange a replacement or refund.

What is your UK returns policy?

We want you to be completely satisfied with your Archive Essentials ritual. If you are not happy with your purchase, please contact us within 30 days of receipt. Items must be returned in their original, unused condition. Return postage is the customer's responsibility, unless the item arrives damaged or faulty — in which case we will cover all return costs in full.

How do I return an item?

Please contact our concierge team via the contact form on our website or by emailing us directly. We will provide you with clear instructions on how to return your item safely.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept all major credit and debit cards, PayPal, and other secure payment methods at checkout.

Can I change or cancel my order?

If you need to make changes or cancel your order, please contact us as soon as possible. We'll do our absolute best to assist you before the order is dispatched.

How can I contact you?

You can reach our concierge team via the contact form on our website or by emailing us directly. We

aim to respond to all inquiries within 1 business day.