Outer fabric composition: Natural Raffia and LWG Leather Trim and Detail

Inner fabric composition: Cotton drawstring bag

Raffia has a natural resin making it innately soft, supple and resilient; Unlike straw, raffia has longevity and won’t crack or get brittle over time. 

Craftspersonship
Craftspersonship is central to the Helen Kaminski brand ethos. Their raffia products are handcrafted by skilled artisans in Sri Lanka using time-honoured techniques and natural materials.

They honour the hands behind their  craft – many of them being women – and the artistry that defines every Helen Kaminski piece.

Storing your Bag

Follow these simple rules for storing your raffia and leather accessories to ensure they stay in pristine condition when you’re not using them.

1. Store your bag in its original dust bag
2. Make sure it is in a ventilated space away from direct light and moisture. Air once every two weeks to halt any growth of mould
3. Fill with stuffing to ensure it maintains its shape. Note: avoid printed or coloured paper as it may transfer onto your accessory over time
4. Ensure the bag isn’t pressed against any hard surfaces. The key here is to ensure your bag keeps its shape, and doesn’t squash down or flatten
5. Rotation is key. Everyday use of your bag contributes to wear, so switch things occasionally.

Maintenance
The raffia Helen Kaminski uses has been sorted and split by their artisans, who form each braid by hand. As raffia is a natural fibre, overtime, these edges may come loose causing strands to poke out and look a little ‘hairy’.

Simply use a pair of scissors to carefully snip off the fly away strands. It won’t damage the braid at all.

Reshaping
Raffia has a natural resin and while it may start to break down and soften after a while, you can help reactivate the natural resins and bring your bag back to shape by using a little steam.

1. Stuff the bag with plain acid free tissue paper to support its original shape
2. Use a domestic iron on the steam setting or a traditional clothes steamer. Steam the outer and inner sections of the bag until warm and slightly moist to touch. Make sure the iron plate is about 10cm away
3. Reform the bag to the desired shape with your hands
4. Allow to cool and dry naturally in a well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight.