DIY-ing a Mulberry postman’s lock

I was really upset last Friday when I saw that the Mulberry Bayswater I received had a missing postman’s lock. I thought of ways on how to remedy this because I just don’t feel like carrying a Bayswater without a lock.

I had two options with polar consequences: 1) send the item to Mulberry to repair it; however, this means I will be shelling quite a sum of money not only for the repair, but also for the two-way shipping since we don’t have a stand-alone Mulberry store here in the Philippines (and the total price may even cost me more than what I paid for the bag); or 2) have the postman’s lock replaced by myself by getting the necessary part. But where do I get it? It’s not like they would send out parts upon request because of the fear of counterfeiters. *DING DING DING* Counterfeiters.

Fake Mulberry Postman's Lock from an Alexa

Fake Mulberry Postman’s Lock from an Alexa

I have combed online shopping sites here in the Philippines looking for the cheapest Mulberry bag with the postman’s lock I was looking for. When I found one, I have contacted the seller of the Mulberry Bayswater in Congo leather and asked her if we could divide to cost between us and she gladly agreed. So yesterday, I met up with the seller of a fake secondhand Mulberry Alexa just to get that turn lock!

When I got home, I inspected the bag to see how to accomplish the job. Well the first thing I thought of was how different this fake really is from the authentic one. And I think it merits a separate post. It left me with no choice but to just force that particular turn lock. In doing so, I know that it would make the part unusable but it did not bother me.

You see, all I wanted is to fill that absence of the turn lock in my Bayswater and it was just a problem of aesthetics. That was the most cost-efficient solution I can think for the moment, and maybe I would have this properly repaired by Mulberry in the future when they already have their own store in the Philippines. =) As for the fake Alexa, it was then stashed somewhere it won’t be seen by anybody in my house.

My tools for this DIY task! Two longnose pliers and a tube of Mighty Bond Extreme!

My tools for this DIY task! Two longnose pliers and a tube of Mighty Bond Extreme!

I pulled the metal plate with the turn lock from the bag using two longnose pliers, and separated the turn lock itself after. I then used a tube of this Mighty Bond Extreme superglue, which claims to work on metal as well.

Mulberry Bayswater Postman's Lock repair - Before and After, Manila, Philippines

Mulberry Bayswater Postman’s Lock repair – Before and After

 

Mulberry Bayswater Postman's Lock repair - Before and After - Manila, Philippines

Et voilà! The postman’s lock looking much better now! I know I can no longer turn it but that’s the least of my problem. It closes on itself without the turning action and I can always put the provided padlock if I want to. Then what followed was taking an official photo to be added on my collection post!

Official portrait of this Mulberry Bayswater in Congo Leather - Manila, Philippines

Official portrait of this Mulberry Bayswater in Congo Leather

Photo of the back of this Mulberry Bayswater in Congo Leather - Manila, Philippines

Photo of the back of this Mulberry Bayswater in Congo LeatherAnd as I’m the messenger-bag-with-the-top-handles type of person, I decided to give this Bayswater a twist. Well, I technically can’t carry a top handle bag all day long and will eventually sling it on my shoulder.  My remedy was to attach a detachable Gucci strap in the leather straps inside the bag.

A detachable Gucci strap on the leather strap inside

A detachable Gucci strap on the leather strap inside

 

Pretty nifty huh? =) I have also stuffed the bag all day to make the gussets open wider to add width to the bag and make it less structured. I hope so. My mother has been eyeing the bag since yesterday and I have told her she can use it whenever she wants to because I will most probably use the bag every weekend when I’m wearing very casual clothes.

Modified Mulberry Bayswater in Congo leather with detachable straps - Manila, Philippines

Modified Mulberry Bayswater in Congo leather with detachable straps

ETA (08/12/2014):

I abandoned the use of this old strap and used a separate Mulberry strap I dyed myself. More details here.

bryologue

10 Comments

    • Thanks for finding it great! I momentarily thought that it might make the bag “impure” or something, but the heck with that! I wanted to use and enjoy it ASAP! =D My happiness is all that matters in the end!

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