Okay, so I’ve been obsessed with this Prada Galleria Saffiano bag for a while now. It’s the small one, special edition, and it just looks so classy. I saw it online, and it mentioned something about “refined craftsmanship” and “industrial precision”, which made me curious. This bag is not cheap, so I really wanted to see if I could remake it myself.
First, I started digging around to learn more about this Saffiano leather. I found out it’s genuine leather, but it’s treated and embossed, so it won’t get that worn-in look over time like full-grain leather. Apparently, the thickness of the leather can vary depending on what it’s used for. Prada is known for its high-end stuff, especially its bags, but I also read that their nylon bags are still super popular. It said a black Re-Edition shoulder bag was the most bought bag in 2022! That’s wild. So this bag is a big deal, the brand is too.
I watched a bunch of videos online of people unboxing and reviewing the real bag. I wanted to get a good look at the details, the stitching, the hardware, everything. I took a lot of notes and screenshots.
Then, the real work began. I had to find similar materials. I went to a few local leather stores and finally found some Saffiano-like leather that felt right. It was hard work, and I had to touch the materials on my own to ensure their quality. Finding the right hardware was a pain too, but after searching and searching online, and local stores for a while, I managed to find some pieces that were pretty close to the original.
Next, I started working on the pattern. I used the measurements from the Prada website and my notes from the videos to draft my own pattern. It took a few tries to get it right, but I was determined.
Cutting the leather was nerve-wracking! I didn’t want to mess it up. But I took my time, followed my pattern carefully, and it actually turned out pretty good. Assembling everything was a challenge. I had to figure out how everything was put together on the real bag and then tried to replicate it. There was a lot of trial and error, and some parts were really tricky, especially the inside lining and the pockets. I had to get a friend’s help to do this part, and it took us a lot of time.
Finally, after weeks of work, I finished it! It’s not perfect, but I’m so proud of how it turned out. It looks pretty darn close to the real Small Prada Galleria Saffiano Leather Bag, at least to me. I learned so much during this process, and I have a whole new appreciation for the craftsmanship that goes into making these luxury bags.
- Started with research.
- Watched videos for details.
- Sourced materials locally.
- Drafted a pattern.
- Cut and assembled the bag.
- Finished the project and felt proud.
It was a tough project, but totally worth it. Now I have my own “special edition” bag, and I made it myself!
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