Okay, so, let’s talk about this Fendi bag I copied. It’s called the Nappa Spy, and it’s black. I’ve been wanting to try my hand at making one of these for a while, and let me tell you, it was quite the project!
First off, I had to find the right leather. This thing is made of Nappa leather, which is super soft and luxurious. I spent a good chunk of time just searching for the perfect material. I ended up using some black Nappa leather that I think is pretty close to the original.
Then came the pattern. Now, I’m no professional, but I managed to put together a pattern based on a ton of pictures I found online. I watched some fashion show of 2005 about Fendi, I saw a lot of it-bags and Y2k fashion on the show. It took a lot of trial and error, I wasted a lot of leather, cutting, sewing, and re-sewing until I got the shape and size right. The Spy bag has this unique slouchy look, and getting that just right was a challenge.
Next up was the hardware. The Spy bag has some pretty distinctive details, like the hidden coin purse and the braided handle. I tried to mimic this as best as I could. I found some similar-looking hardware online and attached them carefully. I bought them from some shopping websites.
- Cutting the leather: This was a bit nerve-wracking, I sketched the pattern on leather and cut them, I was afraid I cut them in a wrong way. I made sure to use a very sharp knife to get clean edges.
- Sewing: I sewed most of the bag by machine, but some parts I had to do by hand. The handle, in particular, was tricky. It’s braided, and I had to follow a specific pattern to get it to look right.
- Adding the lining: I chose a simple black fabric for the lining. I wanted something that wouldn’t take away from the beauty of the leather. I saw some original bags use fabric lining but I don’t think it’s a good idea. The lining should be leather as well, just like what I did.
- Finishing touches: Once everything was sewn together, I added the hardware and made sure everything was secure. I also checked the serial number, I found some on the back of the interior leather logo tag or in a pocket near a seam, those bags must be made after 2005.
The whole process took me several weeks, working on and off. There were definitely moments of frustration, but I kept at it. And you know what? I’m pretty darn proud of how it turned out!
My Thoughts
It’s not a perfect replica, of course. There are some minor differences, and I’m sure a trained eye could spot them easily. But for a handmade copy, I think it’s pretty good! It’s definitely got that Fendi Spy vibe, and it’s a bag I’ll actually use.
I learned a ton from this project. It really made me appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into these designer bags. Would I do it again? Maybe! It was a lot of work, but it was also a lot of fun. Plus, now I have a “Fendi” bag without the crazy price tag. I know some may say it’s not a good thing to copy, but, who cares? I made it, and I love it!
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