Okay, here is my sharing about remaking the PRADA Arqué Leather Shoulder Bag.
So, I saw this PRADA Arqué Leather Shoulder Bag at the specialty store the other day, and man, it was love at first sight. The sleek, curved design, that shiny leather… It just screamed “classy” to me. But the price tag? Not so classy. I thought there was no way I could justify spending that much on a bag.
But I couldn’t get it out of my head. I kept thinking about how versatile it looked. They said it could be worn over the shoulder or as a crossbody, thanks to the adjustable strap. I started looking it up online. Seems like everyone’s into this bag. I saw that Gigi Hadid, Gabrielle Union, and even Emma Watson have been spotted with it! That just made me want it even more. It’s like the new “it” bag, you know?
I spent days looking at pictures and reading about it. I learned that the maximum length of the strap is 93 cm, and the minimum is 83 cm. The drop length goes from 55 cm to 60 cm. Plenty of room for adjustment. That iconic triangle plaque on the front, that is what makes it stand out. I even found some behind-the-scenes stuff about how they make it. Super cool, but still way out of my budget.
Then it hit me. Why not try to make my own version? I’m pretty handy, and I’ve dabbled in leatherwork before. So, I started sketching, trying to get that curved silhouette just right. It’s the defining feature of the bag. I went out and bought some good quality leather that felt similar to the original. Not as fancy, of course, but still nice.
The first step was to make a pattern. This took forever, honestly. I made so many cardboard cutouts, trying to get the dimensions and the curve perfect. Then came the cutting. Cutting leather is no joke. You need a steady hand and a really sharp blade. I think I held my breath the entire time.
- Sewing it together was the next big hurdle.
- Leather is tough, so you need a special needle and thread.
- My sewing machine was definitely not happy with me, but we managed.
The signature curved bottom is a killer to make, but I tried my best and it turned out well. I had to redo a few seams, but hey, practice makes perfect, right? I decided to go with a simple magnetic closure. And that strap! Making an adjustable strap is a whole other level of complicated. But I figured it out, eventually.
And for the finishing touch, I couldn’t forget the triangle detail. I couldn’t find a suitable metal plate, so I cut out the shape from a piece of thick leather and embossed my initials on it.
The Final Result
It’s not an exact replica, but I’m pretty proud of how it turned out. It has that same sleek, curved shape, and it’s definitely inspired by the PRADA Arqué. Plus, I made it myself! It’s unique, and it cost me a fraction of the price. I’ve been using it for a few weeks now, and I get compliments all the time. People can’t believe I made it myself. It might not be a real PRADA, but it’s my PRADA, and that’s pretty darn special.