So, I decided to remake the small Prada Galleria Saffiano leather bag. I’ve always thought this bag was cool, but I’ve never seen such a high price tag before. I figured, why not try to make one myself?
First, I looked up everything about this bag. It’s made of this Saffiano leather, which is supposed to be super tough. This bag is not too big, not too small, and it comes in a bunch of colors. Some even have two colors at once! I also found out that the real bag is made up of 83 different pieces. 83! That’s a lot.
I went to a few stores to look at the real Prada bags. Man, they looked nice. I really liked the red interior on some of them. The contrast with the outside color is awesome. I learned that the inside is made of something called Nappa leather. Feels pretty good.
Next, I had to figure out what kind of leather to use. Apparently, Saffiano leather is real leather that’s been treated and embossed. The thickness can change depending on how it’s going to be used. Full-grain leather is also an option, and it can be either chrome-tanned or vegetable-tanned. But I also read that unlike full-grain leather, Saffiano doesn’t develop a patina over time. I’m not sure what that means, but I guess it doesn’t change much as it ages.
Finding the Materials
- I started searching for leather. I knew it wouldn’t be easy to find the exact same kind as Prada uses, but I wanted to get as close as possible.
- It took a while, but I finally found some leather that looked and felt pretty similar to Saffiano. It wasn’t cheap, but it was way less expensive than buying a real Prada bag.
- I also needed to find some red Nappa leather for the interior. That was a bit easier to find, thankfully.
- Then came the hardware. The real Prada bags have these shiny metal pieces, and I wanted mine to have them too. I found some online that looked pretty close to the real deal.
Putting It All Together
With all the materials gathered, I started cutting and sewing. It was definitely a challenge, especially with so many small pieces. I had to be super careful to make sure everything lined up perfectly.
The interior was a bit tricky too. Getting that red Nappa leather to sit just right took some patience. But I eventually got it looking pretty good.
Finally, I attached all the hardware. That was the most satisfying part. Seeing those shiny metal pieces on the bag made it feel like a real luxury item.
It took a lot of time and effort, but I finally finished my remake of the Prada Galleria Saffiano bag. It’s not perfect, but I’m really proud of how it turned out. It looks pretty darn close to the real thing, and it didn’t cost me a fortune. Plus, I got to learn a lot about leather and bag-making in the process. Not bad for a DIY project, right?
It’s true what they say, Italy is one of the cheapest places to buy Prada. I wish I could go there and compare my bag to a real one in person. Maybe someday!
I also learned that real Prada bags have a logo plaque inside. It’s ceramic on leather bags and leather on non-leather bags. If it’s plastic or fabric, it’s probably a fake. Good to know!
This Prada Galleria bag came out in 2007, so it’s been around for a while. It’s definitely a classic, and I can see why it’s so popular. Making my own version was a fun challenge, and I’m happy I gave it a shot.
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