Kooba Handbag - Natasha Convertible - Black - Leather

Kooba Handbag – Natasha – Black – Leather

I purchased this lovely bag from a retailer frequented by celebrity stylists and Purse Forum members. It’s Kooba’s “Natasha Convertible Bag” in soft, deep luster satin finished black Italian leather with black patent leather edging and shiny silver-toned nickel hardware. Closure is provided by a belt flap that swings over the top and attaches to the front via a turnlock device. The double handles are looped within rectangular grommets mounted within the horizontally encircling leather band at the top. What’s so cool about this style, which continually appears in each new collection, is the ability to convert the bottom from a bucket to a flat shape, depending on how much height you need. There are belt flaps on the sides with a grommet at the flap top that fits over the bottom half of a turnlock device. One is mounted near the top; the other is mounted closer to the bottom. It’s lined with chocolate twill and inside there’s a zippered pocket, three leather top edged function pockets, a hanging dog clip for attaching keys and plenty of room for everything you need to carry, including a PDA, MP3 player, cosmetics bag and small bottled water. I’ve included a couple photos of my husband modeling the bag as well as different positions to demonstrate both the flat and bucket shaped bottoms. To help you envision size, Ron is 5’ 6” tall and weighs 140.

This updated version has the thicker, cushy leather Kooba used in prior years but incorporates the lovely patent trim on the edges of the handles, top band, top and side belt flaps. It has the newer interior configuration which includes a key holder and third function pocket which is the perfect size for a pen, pencil or lip gloss. The color will coordinate with every outfit and the subtle patent edging makes it nice enough to use for dressy events where carrying a larger size bag is appropriate. Although “gently used”, the bag has been professionally cleaned and based upon the like new condition both inside and out, it was probably only carried a couple of times. Other than the intentional imperfections in texture, shading, finish you find in authentic fine leather bags that have been “washed” (process used to distress and soften the leather hides), there are no scratches, scuffs, rips, tears, stains, odors (smoke free household); the interior is pristine. There’s no reserve and insured UPS ground shipping within the USA is free. An added incentive to bid/buy is that it's the only one I have like it and since I'll be retiring from ebay selling once my existing inventory is listed/sold (except for my own personal collection downsizes a couple times per year), I won't be getting another. Once it's gone, it's gone. International buyers, to determine the shipping cost to your location, choose your country from the drop down menu in the calculator behind the “Shipping and Payments” tab at the top of this listing. The available services with costs will then appear below the menu. If the calculator doesn’t work for you, please contact me for assistance. 

About the Designer/Brand: 

Kooba was founded in 1998 by mother-daughter team Bonnie and Abbe Held (Kooba is Bonnie’s maiden name). Known for its irresistible line of handbags with a cult following among the fashion-forward set, the bags are practical, comfortable, relaxed, beautifully detailed with distinctive hardware, signature shapes; they are undeniably lush. Kooba is the answer to every woman's desire for a handbag with distinctive characteristics and features that reflect her mood. Kooba is about creating individual style, and celebrities from the streets of New York City to the Hollywood Hills have heard the call of the modern, vintage-inspired leathers and deep colors. These bags work with every style and will definitely get you noticed. From the streets of New York City to the Hollywood Hills, the demand for Kooba continues to grow amongst both style icons and Hollywood’s fresh faces. Kooba was one of my favorite bag brands because the quality of the leather, hardware, workmanship and attention to detail was equal to/even better than those of the more famous/expensive designers. Plus, there's always enough room to carry lots of "stuff", which for me is a must have bag feature. I’m so pleased to see that they have returned to using the thicker, cushier leather that feels, looks and smells wonderful. Kooba has lots of celebrity fans whose specific names I cannot mention here or ebay will pull the listing. But if you check out the celebrity, style or fashion magazines, you can spot them yourself.   

Bag Specifics:

• All measurements are approximate and in inches.
• Soft, thick, cushy, distressed, deep luster satin finished Italian leather in rich, luxurious black. Based upon the look/feel and my experience with this brand, I believe that it’s probably lambskin.
• Black patent Italian leather edging on handles, top horizontal band, top closure “belt flap” and side “belt flaps”.   
• Shiny silver toned nickel hardware.
• “Belt flap” turnlock device top closure.
• Engraved logo plate centered on back where “belt flap” originates.
• “Belt flaps” on sides contain the top half of a turnlock device that can be positioned over the bottom half, which is mounted to the bag body. There are two different turnlock bottom portions and depending on which one you select, you can change the shape of the bag bottom from a bucket to a flat surface. The “bucket” turnlock is positioned near the top, which pulls up the bottom corners. The “flat” turnlock is positioned nearer to the bottom. When “flat” shaped, the height increases for those times you need more room.
• Double handles loop through rectangular hardware grommets positioned within the 2-3/4 inch leather band that horizontally encircles the top. The handles measure 1-1/4W X 21L; the drop is 9 inches, which is ideal for both toting and secure shoulder carrying.
• Lined in chocolate twill.
• Interior back wall zippered pocket measures 8W X 7D; patent leather encased hardware zipper w/logo engraved zipper pull (the outer end of the pull is thicker than the end attached to the zipper head). Centered on a black patent leather background below the encasement is a logo engraved plate.
• Interior front wall patent leather edged function pockets measure 4-1/2W X 5D; 1W X 5D and 5-1/2W X 5D. Hanging beneath the patent leather top edging by a patent leather strip is a dog clip for attaching keys.
• Overall bag body dimensions are 18L X 9-1/2H X 8D. As previously stated, when the side “belt flaps” are positioned over the top turnlock, the bottom corners pull up and the height on the sides decreases by 1-1/2 inches. I know it's difficult to envision a bag's size without seeing it "in real life" even when the listing includes measurements, modeling photos and the height/weight of the model. Therefore, I recommend that you do what I myself do when considering an online bag purchase. Measure one you already have and compare those measurements to the ones in this listing. You should then be able to determine whether or not the size of this bag will work for you.
• Retail price of bag is $645.00.
• Comes with sales receipt and packing slip for my purchase, plastic overwrap, retailer’s business card and Kooba logo, chocolate twill drawstring dust bag.  The retailer also places a bag specific numbered tag (03788) guaranteeing authenticity and unused since professionally cleaned condition by preventing “bait and take” and “modeling”. (“Bait and take” is where someone buys an authentic bag, takes it home, removes the tags and places them on a replica which is then returned to the store for a refund. “Modeling” is where someone removes the tag and uses the bag on one or more occasions before replacing the tag on the same bag and returning it for a refund) If the tag has been removed or compromised in any way, the bag cannot be returned to this retailer. As you can see in the photos, the tag is intact.

Authenticity Money Back Guarantee:

I am a member of the Purse Forum (TPF) and attest that this is absolutely, positively an authentic Kooba bag; money back guarantee including return shipping at my expense. Regardless of whether you’re interested in this listing or that of another seller, I strongly recommend copying and pasting the auction link to the authentication thread of Kooba group on the Purse Forum (www.purseforum.com). Although not professional authenticators, members there have special expertise in recognizing genuine bags. It’s what I do when I’m not sure myself from reviewing the listing photos or the seller doesn’t respond to or answer my questions appropriately. My TPF co-members have never steered me wrong. It’s always best to ask questions and check listings out BEFORE you bid or buy. Please contact me if you’d like to know my TPF ID.

I’ve very familiar with Kooba bags and purchased this one myself from a retailer with whom I have lots of experience. I’m positive it’s authentic. However, if upon receipt and inspecting it yourself you have any doubts, please contact me to relay your concerns and request return. I would also encourage you to take the bag to the reputable store of your choice that regularly sells Kooba bags and ask them to confirm authenticity. If the retailer is of the opinion that the bag is not genuine, I would truly appreciate receiving that opinion along with the reasons therefore and contact information in writing so I can provide that to and have a serious discussion with the retailer’s customer service manager. If a return is requested, the tag must still be intact, the bag unused and all of the accompanying materials present, I will issue a refund once I inspect the bag to make sure it indeed is the same one that was sent, hasn’t been used and has all the aforementioned components (sorry, but I’ve got to protect myself from those who practice “bait and take” and “modeling”),

Payment Information:

The payment method accepted for this auction is PayPal, where anyone can use e-check, direct bank debit or the credit card of your choice. (It is not necessary to have an existing PayPal account or create one to use their service to make a payment using a credit card account you already have).  

Shipping Information:

Shipping via insured UPS ground within the USA is free. To ensure there is a mechanism to cover potential damage or loss during shipment and document that the package was delivered to the intended recipient at the address specified on the PayPal payment notification, all packages shipped within the USA will be insured and require a signature for delivery. For those of you who work full time (like me), requiring a signature can be inconvenient. However, since the package will be shipped to the address specified on the PayPal payment notification, you can change the address in PayPal for that specific payment to your work or other location of your choice, such as a UPS store in your area. I wrap packages very securely and have not yet experienced damage or loss. But, there is always a first time for everything so the insurance protects us both. I'm sorry that I cannot afford to offer USPS as a free shipping alternative. If you choose USPS, please understand that the estimated cost includes not only the postage based upon the weight of the bag inside the shipping box w/packaging materials to keep it safe/undamaged during transit but also insurance coverage based upon the replacement value of the bag and the fee for signature required delivery.

I will do my best to securely wrap your package but if on the rare chance your bag does get damaged, please contact me immediately and keep the box and all packaging as the carrier will need to see it for the insurance claim. If you use a knife or other sharp object to open the box, be careful not to let it slip inside where it could penetrate the dust cover and cut the bag. Shipping insurance will not cover that type of damage.

International buyers, I'm sorry but I cannot afford to absorb your shipping cost, but I will do all you need me to do to "facilitate" customs clearance. Depending on value declaration, up to $100 of shipping insurance is included (the max amount the USA will cover and allow me to purchase). 

Thanks for understanding. If the actual charge for international or domestic USPS shipping is less than my estimate, I will refund you back the difference. I firmly believe you should never have to pay more than it actually costs me. Please check my feedback for shipping speed and cost; it speaks for itself.