Alright, so I’ve been wanting to get my hands on one of those fancy Prada Galleria Saffiano Leather Bags for a while now. You know, the big ones? They’re super classy, but man, they cost a fortune! I saw some folks talking about them online, and they were saying how some celebrities like Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid are always carrying them around. Makes sense, they look great, but I wasn’t about to drop that kind of cash. Especially since some people online said that Prada bags don’t really keep their value over time.
But then I got this idea. Why not try to make one myself? I mean, I’m pretty handy, and I figured it couldn’t be THAT hard, right?
First thing I did was look up what kind of leather they use. Turns out, it’s this stuff called Saffiano leather. And it’s not just any leather, it’s full-grain, which is like, the best quality you can get. They say it can be either chrome-tanned or vegetable-tanned, and the thickness depends on what it’s used for. This Saffiano stuff is treated and embossed, so it doesn’t get that worn-in look over time like regular leather.
So, I went hunting for some Saffiano leather. I checked out all the usual spots, but it was either too expensive or just didn’t look right. But then, I stumbled upon this little shop, and bam! They had this gorgeous blue Saffiano calf leather that looked just like the real deal. It was even thick and sturdy, just like the stuff Prada uses. I was stoked!
Next, I needed to figure out how to put this thing together. I found some pictures online of the inside of the bag, and it looked like there were a couple of zippered pockets and some other compartments. I also noticed that the bag has these rolled top handles and a detachable shoulder strap. I figured I could probably find some similar hardware online or at a craft store.
- Started cutting: I took measurements from some pictures and then started cutting the leather.
- Sewed it up: Got out my sewing machine and started stitching the pieces together. It was a bit tricky, but I managed.
- Added the hardware: Found some zippers and metal rings online, and attached them to the bag.
It took a few days, and there were definitely some frustrating moments, but in the end, I had my very own “Prada” Galleria bag! It’s not perfect, of course, but I’m pretty proud of it. It looks surprisingly good, and it’s definitely functional. I can fit all my stuff in there, and it feels pretty sturdy.
I even took it out to a fancy dinner the other night, and a couple of people asked me where I got it. I just smiled and said, “Oh, this old thing? I made it myself.” They were shocked! It felt pretty good to see their reactions.
So, yeah, that’s my little adventure in trying to remake a designer bag. It wasn’t easy, but it was definitely a fun project. And hey, I saved a ton of money, which is always a plus! Maybe I’ll try making another one sometime, maybe in a different color. Or maybe I’ll just stick to buying them from now on. We’ll see! But if you like the bag, you can go find some shop and buy it. Or you can get the Re-Edition one, that’s the cheaper, they say it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. You can buy it, and it is not very expensive. That’s good. But I’m keeping this one for sure. It’s my little masterpiece, haha!
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