Alright, so I decided to remake that fancy Prada bag, you know, the Small Prada Galleria Saffiano Leather Bag, straight from their official flagship store. Yeah, that’s right, I did that.
First off, I got myself some of that Saffiano leather. I found out it’s real leather but they treat it and stamp it, which makes it tough. They say it doesn’t get that old, worn look like regular full-grain leather, which is either chrome-tanned or vegetable-tanned, whatever that means. And I picked the thickness based on what I needed, ’cause apparently, it comes in different thicknesses.
Then, I started cutting the leather. Man, that was a job. I had to make sure I got all the pieces right, you know, for the front, the back, the sides, and the bottom. And let me tell ya, working with leather ain’t like working with fabric. It’s way tougher and you gotta use the right tools. I also found out that using a rotary cutter is way easier than sccisors. I also found out that Prada bags are well made but they don’t hold their value. I’m not even sure I will use this bag or sell it. I also found out that browsing through Prada’s and Louis Vuitton’s products, the pricing story differs slightly. Comparing product lines between these two brands, you’ll find LV to be slightly more expensive. For example, leather jackets, passenger bags, totes, or high-heel women’s shoes are more expensive in LV. I’m not sure what passenger bags are but maybe I will make it next time.
- Cut the leather pieces
- Sewed them together
- Added the lining and pockets
- Attached the handles and strap
Next up, I sewed the pieces together. Now, I’ve done some sewing in my time, but this was different. I had to use a heavy-duty machine and even then, it was a struggle. But I managed to get it all together, and it actually started to look like a bag!
After that, I added the lining. I picked a nice, soft fabric that I thought would go well with the tough leather. I also added some pockets inside ’cause a bag ain’t a bag without pockets, right? They got all kinds of these Prada bags, you know? Big ones, small ones, different colors. They call them shoulder bags, mini bags, bucket bags, handbags. I also learned that this Saffiano leather can handle scratches, stains and even water.
Finally, I attached the handles and the strap. That was probably the trickiest part. I had to make sure they were secure ’cause nobody wants a bag that falls apart, especially not a Prada, even if it is a remake. They say this bag is good for everyday use. Sounds like a fancy thing, but it’s a bag. This one, it’s a Small Prada Galleria Saffiano Special Edition Bag. But mine is a remake, not the real one.
And there you have it. I remade a Prada bag. It took a lot of time, a lot of effort, and a whole lot of patience. But I did it. And you know what? It actually turned out pretty good. I mean, it’s not exactly like the one from the store, but it’s close. And it’s mine. I made it. And that’s something, right?
So, is a Prada bag worth the money? I don’t know. But I can tell you this: making your own, that’s definitely worth something. It’s a whole other level of satisfaction. Trust me.
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