Okay, so today I’m gonna show you guys how I went about remaking the Small Prada Galleria Saffiano Leather Bag, original order style. It wasn’t easy, but it was definitely a fun project.
First off, I had to really study the bag. I mean, I looked at every picture, every angle I could find online. This Galleria bag, it’s a classic, you know? Launched back in 2007, it’s still super popular. I wanted to get every detail right. The shape, the size, the way it’s put together – everything had to be spot on.
Then came the leather. This bag is made of Saffiano leather, which is real leather that’s been treated and stamped with a special pattern. It’s not like regular full-grain leather that gets that worn-in look over time. Saffiano is different. It stays looking pretty much the same. You can get full-grain in chrome-tanned or vegetable-tanned, but for this one, it had to be Saffiano. Finding the right stuff was a bit of a hunt, I’m not gonna lie. I ended up ordering a few different swatches online before I found one that looked and felt right, and that was thick enough. The thickness really depends on what you’re using it for, and what kind of animal hide it came from.
Next up, the cutting. Man, this was nerve-wracking. I made templates based on the dimensions of the original bag. Double-checked, triple-checked, and then finally made the cuts. Each piece had to be perfect.
Then, the stitching. This took forever. I decided to hand-stitch the whole thing to get that authentic look. My fingers were definitely sore afterward, but it was worth it. The stitching is such a big part of the bag’s design, you know?
- Started with the main body panels, stitching them together.
- Then attached the bottom piece, making sure it was all lined up.
- Next, I worked on the handles. Those were tricky, had to get the shape just right.
- Finally, stitched the handles onto the bag.
The interior was another challenge. This bag has a rectangular plaque inside that says “Prada Milano” and “Made in Italy.” It’s different from the triangle logo on the outside. I had to find a similar piece of metal and engrave it myself. It’s the little details like this that make all the difference, I think.
Putting in the lining took some effort, and getting all the inside pockets right, was also kinda tough. It’s like a puzzle in there.
Finally, I put it all together. Added the hardware, the zipper, the little feet on the bottom. Stepping back and looking at the finished bag, I gotta say, I was pretty proud. It looked just like the real deal, or at least pretty darn close! I saw some sites selling bags, advertising all types, like Shoulder Bags, Mini Bags, Bucket, Handbags, Totes, even Backpacks. Some places even offer discounts and free shipping to get deals. But doing it myself was definitely more satisfying!
The Result
It took a lot of time, a lot of patience, and a few messed-up pieces of leather along the way, but I finally did it. I remade the Prada Galleria bag, and it looks amazing, if I do say so myself. It’s not perfect, but it’s mine, and I learned a ton in the process. Might even try another bag soon! Maybe a different style next time. I saw there are also leather and nylon designs, so who knows!
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