Okay, so, a while back I got this itch to remake the Prada Galleria Saffiano leather bag. You know, the one from their official store? It’s a real beauty, but the price tag? Ouch. So, I thought, “Why not try making one myself?” I mean, how hard could it be, right?
First, I spent hours just staring at the pictures of the bag online. It says it is composed of 83 pieces. I zoomed in, zoomed out, trying to get a feel for every curve, every stitch. Then, I started sketching. It is made of leather. I must get the materials ready. I grabbed my old leather-working tools, some inherited from my grandpa, and started hunting for the right materials.
Finding the right leather was a real journey. I wanted that full-grain, good stuff, not some cheap imitation. I learned that full-grain leather can be either chrome-tanned or vegetable-tanned. And the thickness! It’s got to be just right. After hitting up a few local shops, I finally found a beautiful piece of Saffiano leather. It felt amazing, and I knew it was the one. I also need to find a logo plaque. It should be ceramic on leather bags and may be leather on non-leather bags. After searching online, I finally ordered one from a craftsman.
Then came the cutting. Eighty-three pieces in total, can you believe it? Each one had to be perfect. I laid out the leather, traced my patterns, and with a deep breath, started cutting. My hands were shaking a bit, not gonna lie. Some pieces were tiny, some big and curved – it was like a giant, expensive jigsaw puzzle.
Next up, stitching. Oh boy, the stitching. I decided to hand-stitch the whole thing. It took forever, but there’s something so satisfying about hand-stitching. It’s slow, meticulous work, but the result is so much stronger and, in my opinion, more beautiful.
The interior was another challenge. I wanted it to be just like the real thing, with that signature Prada lining. That logo plaque, you know? I read somewhere that if it’s plastic or fabric instead of ceramic or leather, it’s probably a fake. Anyway, I found a similar fabric and carefully sewed it in, making sure everything was neat and tidy.
Slowly but surely, the bag started to take shape. I added the handles, the hardware, and that little Prada logo. Each step was a mini-victory. There were moments of doubt, times I wanted to throw in the towel, but I kept pushing through.
Finally, after weeks of work, it was done. I stepped back and looked at my creation. It wasn’t perfect, but it was mine. It had that same elegant shape, that same luxurious feel. I even compared it side-by-side with pictures of the real one, and I gotta say, I was pretty darn proud.
Wearing it out for the first time was a thrill. I felt like a million bucks, even though I hadn’t spent nearly that much. And you know what? A few people even asked me where I got it, thinking it was the real deal! I just smiled and said, “Oh, this old thing? I made it myself.”
Click to consult