Okay, so I wanted to remake this PRADA bag, the Small Prada Galleria Saffiano Special Edition one. It’s got this fancy name, but I just wanted to see if I could do it. I mean, PRADA? That’s a big deal, right?
First, I looked around online, you know, just to see what’s out there. I checked out FARFETCH, REVERSIBLE, ShopStyle, and some other places. These sites, they have all sorts of designer stuff. This bag, it’s like, everywhere. And it’s not cheap, starting around $7, I saw on ShopStyle. This PRADA bag is supposed to be special, from their 2023 collection, with brown and red Saffiano Lux leather. It’s got this color block thing going on, gold hardware, and rolled handles. Classy, huh?
I read up on PRADA a bit, too. Founded way back in 1913, they’re known for, like, top-notch stuff. I learned that their bags are lined with either Nappa leather or this Jacquard nylon. There’s a whole pattern thing with the lining, an unwound rope and the PRADA name, or something like that. It sounded complicated, but hey, I was up for the challenge.
So, I started gathering materials. I didn’t have any fancy Saffiano leather, but I found some decent leather scraps that were brown and red. I figured I could make it work. For the hardware, I dug through my old junk and found some gold-toned bits and pieces. They weren’t exactly like the real thing, but close enough, I thought.
Then came the hard part, actually making the bag. I drew out a rough pattern, based on the pictures I saw online. Cutting the leather was tricky, my hands are not as steady as they used to be. I messed up a few times, but I had enough material to spare, thankfully. I wanted it to have two pockets inside, just like the real one. So I cut out smaller pieces for those.
Next, I started stitching. Now, I’m no expert, but I know my way around a needle and thread. I used this thick, sturdy thread, similar to what I saw in the pictures. The stitching took forever. I pricked my fingers more times than I could count. But slowly, the bag started to take shape. I tried to mimic the rolled handles of the original, wrapping and stitching the leather strips. It wasn’t perfect, but it looked kinda like the real deal.
- Cut the leather pieces.
- Stitched the main body.
- Attached the lining.
- Added the hardware.
- Finished the handles.
Finally, after days of work, I finished it. My version of the Small Prada Galleria Saffiano Special Edition Bag. It wasn’t exactly like the original, not by a long shot. The leather wasn’t as smooth, the stitching wasn’t as neat, and the hardware wasn’t as shiny. But you know what? I made it. With my own two hands.
The Result
It’s rough around the edges, sure. But it’s got character. It’s a reminder that you don’t need to be a big-shot designer to create something. You just need some materials, a bit of patience, and a whole lot of determination. And maybe a little bit of crazy, to try and remake a PRADA bag. But hey, it was fun. And I’m kinda proud of my little creation.
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