Alright, so, I’ve been eyeing this PRADA Cahier bag for a while now. It’s just so classy and different. But the price tag? Woof. It’s been going up, and now it’s like $4400 or something crazy. I checked the secondhand market, but no luck. It looks like they only have the ones with Saffiano leather, and I want the all-white one.
So I thought, “Why not try to remake it?” I mean, how hard could it be, right? First, I started by looking for reference pictures online. I scoured fashion blogs, online stores, and even those purse forums where people talk about their bags. I needed good, clear pictures of the Cahier from every angle.
Then I started thinking about materials. I definitely wanted to use real leather. I went to a local leather shop, just to see what they had. They had some nice white leather, but it didn’t feel exactly like the Prada bag’s leather. I figured it would be okay, though, it will not be that different. I guess.
- White leather
- Gold-toned hardware (this was gonna be tricky)
- Black Saffiano leather for the strap and detailing
- Fabric for the lining
The hardware was a bit of a nightmare. I couldn’t find anything that looked exactly like the original, with the specific shape and the Prada logo. I ended up getting some generic gold-toned pieces that were kind of similar. I thought about trying to engrave the Prada logo myself, but I wasn’t sure I could do it without ruining it.
Next, I had to figure out the pattern. I took a bunch of measurements from the pictures I found online and tried to draft a pattern on some paper. It was tough! I’m no expert, but I think I got it close enough after many attempts.
Then came the actual construction. I cut out the leather pieces, sewed them together, and tried to attach the hardware. I used my old sewing machine, and it was quite a learning experience. The leather was thick, and I broke a few needles along the way. And let me tell you, getting those corners to look neat was a real challenge!
I managed to get the main body of the bag together, and it actually looked pretty decent. It wasn’t perfect, but it was definitely recognizable as a Cahier bag, at least in shape.
Then I moved on to the strap. I used the black Saffiano leather for that, just like the real one. It was easier to work with than the white leather, and it turned out pretty well.
Finally, I lined the bag with some fabric I found. I chose a black fabric, just to keep it simple.
The Result
Okay, so it’s not an exact replica. The leather isn’t quite the same, the hardware is different, and the stitching probably isn’t as perfect as a professional’s. But you know what? I made it myself! And it actually looks pretty good, if I do say so myself. It’s got that same vibe as the real Cahier, and I’m pretty proud of it.
It wasn’t easy, and it definitely took a lot of time and effort. But I learned a lot in the process. And hey, now I have a unique bag that no one else has, and it cost me way less than $4400. Would I do it again? Maybe. But next time, I think I’ll try something a little simpler!
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