An Akire object is made to enter life and, with the appropriate care, remain part of it.
Our relationship with each piece does not end when it leaves the hands that shaped it.
From visual confirmation before international dispatch to material-specific care and our Lifetime Craftsmanship Guarantee, these policies define how the House continues to care for its creations and the people who acquire them.
Every Akire object is shaped by hand using natural materials and artisanal processes.
Variations in leather grain, texture, colour, beadwork, stitching and hand-finishing are therefore expected.
These subtle differences are part of the individual character of each piece and mean that no two handmade Akire objects will be entirely identical.
Natural variations that do not affect the function or structural integrity of an object are not considered defects.
We want every client to understand the individual Akire piece they are acquiring
For leather goods purchased remotely, particularly those being shipped outside Kenya, the House will maintain direct communication with the client before dispatch.
Current photographs and/or video of the specific piece may be shared for visual confirmation, allowing the client to see its colour, material, detailing and handmade characteristics before it begins its journey.
Because leather is a natural material and screens reproduce colour differently, slight variations between digital imagery and the physical object may occur.
Custom and commissioned Akire pieces are created according to specifications agreed with the client before production begins.
Depending on the piece, these may include material, leather type, colour, beadwork, hardware, detailing or other personalised elements.
Because commissioned objects are made specifically for an individual client, the agreed specifications should be confirmed before production begins.
Each custom order will also receive care and maintenance guidance appropriate to the particular material used.
Akire Sculpted Leather and Gourd Forms are accompanied by our Lifetime Craftsmanship Guarantee.
If an eligible piece develops a structural or construction issue attributable to its original Akire craftsmanship, the House will assess the object and, where the issue falls within this guarantee, undertake the necessary repair without charging for repair labour.
The client remains responsible for delivering or shipping the object safely to Akire and for the cost of its return after repair.
Our Lifetime Craftsmanship Guarantee reflects our belief that an object made with care should be supported with care.
Leather changes naturally through use and time. Patina, softening, minor changes in colour and other characteristics of natural ageing are part of the life of the material.
The Lifetime Craftsmanship Guarantee does not cover damage resulting from accidents, misuse, inappropriate storage, incorrect cleaning or treatment, excessive exposure to water or heat, ordinary wear, loss or theft, or alterations and repairs undertaken by a third party.
Where damage falls outside the guarantee but restoration is possible, Akire may assess the piece and advise the client of the work required and any associated cost before proceeding.
Nothing in these policies is intended to limit any rights or remedies that cannot lawfully be excluded under applicable consumer law.
For Akire clients within Kenya, the House offers complimentary basic leather maintenance for Akire bags.
Depending on the material and finish, this may include appropriate conditioning, creaming or polishing.
Every piece will be assessed before treatment because different leathers require different approaches to care.
Complimentary maintenance does not automatically include restoration, replacement materials or extensive repair arising from damage.
Where additional work is required, the House will discuss this with the client before proceeding.
Leather is not one material requiring one method of care.
Cowhide, ostrich, crocodile, lizard, suede and other leathers each have their own characteristics and maintenance requirements.
Where applicable, Akire purchases will be accompanied by care guidance appropriate to the material and finish of the individual object.
Limited-material and custom pieces will receive specific maintenance instructions.
We recommend contacting the House before applying unfamiliar creams, conditioners, polishes, cleaning products, or waterproofing treatments to an Akire object.
Akire objects may travel beyond Kenya through appropriate shipping and documentation channels.
Before international dispatch, the client will receive the relevant shipping information and, where appropriate, photographs or video of the specific piece.
International shipping costs and any applicable insurance, customs duties, import taxes, clearance fees or destination-country charges will be communicated or identified according to the terms of the individual order.
Clients are responsible for providing accurate delivery and contact information and for complying with import requirements applicable in their destination country.
Certain Akire creations may incorporate materials that are subject to Kenyan and international wildlife-trade regulations.
Where applicable, Akire will provide the relevant Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) documentation or certificate issued to us for the regulated material.
For international orders, any additional export, re-export, CITES or destination-country documentation required will be handled or confirmed through the appropriate regulatory channels before dispatch.
International availability may therefore depend on the material, species and destination.
Provenance, documentation and responsible movement of our materials form part of the object’s journey.
Upon receiving your Akire object, we encourage you to inspect it before use.
If the piece has arrived damaged or you believe there is a craftsmanship fault, contact the House promptly and provide clear photographs or video.
Please retain the original packaging while the matter is being assessed.
Do not use, alter, polish, condition or attempt to repair the object before contacting Akire, as this may affect our ability to properly assess the issue.
Before sending an Akire piece to us for repair, maintenance or assessment, please contact the House.
We may request photographs or video first to understand the condition of the object and advise on the appropriate next step.
Objects should not be shipped to Akire for repair without prior communication and confirmation from the House.
For international repairs, the client is responsible for shipping and associated transport costs unless otherwise agreed in writing.
An Akire object is an intentional acquisition.
Due to the handmade nature, individual characteristics and limited production of our pieces, all confirmed purchases are considered final sale and are not eligible for return or exchange for change of mind.
For remote and international acquisitions, Akire provides photographs and/or video of the specific piece before dispatch.
This allows the client to review its material, colour, beadwork, finish and natural handmade variations before confirming shipment.
We encourage clients to use this stage to ask questions or request additional visual details.
Once the individual piece has been visually confirmed and dispatched, it cannot be returned or exchanged simply because of preference, change of mind, styling considerations, or the natural characteristics previously disclosed and accepted.
Where an object arrives with a fault, damage, or issue that may relate to its original craftsmanship, please contact the House promptly with photographs or video.
Akire will assess the piece and determine the appropriate remedy in accordance with our Lifetime Craftsmanship Guarantee and applicable consumer law.
Customised, personalised and commissioned objects are also final sale, except where applicable law requires otherwise.
Nothing in this policy limits rights or remedies that cannot legally be excluded.
Acquiring an Akire object begins another chapter in its making.
Leather will age.
Surfaces may soften. The object will encounter different places, hands, and moments.
These changes become part of its individual life.
We encourage our clients to remain in conversation with the House whether seeking advice on care, returning an object for maintenance, or allowing us to understand how a piece has evolved over time.
Made by hand. Cared for through life.
