Stella Gikonyo made Victor a sleek, sturdy leather backpack that brings everyday ease, comfort, and confidence to his workdays. What's your wish? →
View material & custom-made details
This Bespoke Small Leather Backpack for 13-Inch Laptop shows how Stella Gikonyo turned a compact everyday carry idea into a finished leather backpack with a clean, understated look. It is a useful example for anyone considering a custom small black leather backpack that fits a 13-inch laptop without becoming bulky.
- Request: The brief was for a small black leather backpack with a main zipped compartment, a front zipped pocket, a secure inner compartment for valuables, adjustable padded straps, a top carry handle and reinforced seams for daily use.
- Final result: The finished backpack was made in smooth black leather with a solid black lining, black zippers and antique metal fittings, with final checked dimensions of about 35 cm high, 28.5 cm wide and 10 cm deep.
- Design details: The layout included a padded pocket sized for a 13-inch laptop, two flush pockets, an internal zip pocket, a front zip pocket and a vertical zip pocket on the back, while the shoulder straps were set apart at the top rather than meeting in the center.
- Fit and use: This project was intentionally kept compact, so it works well for everyday essentials and a 13-inch laptop while avoiding the oversized feel of a larger commuter backpack.
- Process: Progress photos, close-up images and a video were shared during production and final checking, and the completed backpack was received very positively, with the customer saying it was even better than expected.
Every unique piece tells a story. What’s yours?
This design was custom-made exclusively for Victor. Let it inspire you: customize this design to fit your vision or start with a completely new idea. You chat directly with our artisans, and we handle the secure process.
A request by Victor from Munich, Germany
I would like a backpack made of black leather with a capacity of 10 liters. The backpack should be about 35 cm high, 27 cm wide and 10 cm deep. It should have a main pocket with a black zipper, a small inner compartment for valuables and a front pocket that can also be closed with a black zipper. The shoulder straps should be adjustable and padded, and there should be a carrying handle at the top. All seams should be reinforced to make the backpack robust and durable.
The Journey of Creating Bespoke Small Leather Backpack for 13-Inch Laptop
Negotiation & Planning
Bespoke Small Leather Backpack for 13-Inch Laptop - design ideas and artisan proposals
Good day Victor,
Gikonyo stellar is my name and I would like to take up your order as specified in the details.
Thanks for sharing the detailed specifications for your black leather backpack. This helps a lot in making sure we understand exactly what you need.
To make sure everything is spot on, could you let us know:
Leather type
Do you prefer smooth or textured type of black leather?
Lining
Do you have a preferred lining ie plain, checked etc.
Design
Is it safe to assume the attachment is your preferred design?
Back zipper
Do you prefer the zipper horizontally or vertically positioned.
Internal structure
We propose a functional structure where we provide for one padded laptop pocket, two flush pockets and an internal zipper rocker.
We look forward to your feedback.
Thank you.
Gikonyo stellar
Smooth leather, black solid color lining.
I'm not sure what exactly is meant by the fastening. Same with the question about the zipper, horizontal or vertical.
It is important to me that the overall size of the bag remains rather small - a laptop over 13 inches should not fit inside. (Automatic translation)
Good day Victor,
Thank you for the feedback, we will observe your size guide.
We will work with black smooth leather and black lining.
Design: We work as per your photo(See preferred design image).
Backzipper: Please see attachments and advise if you want it horizontally or vertically placed.
We look forward to your feedback.
With thanks,
Gikonyo Stellar
Hello,
I am happy with the project and just want to confirm the following before placing the order:
+ The zipper will be of black color (and not silver color).
+ The backpack straps will not start from the middle of the backpack but will be separated so they start directly from the shoulders (my assumption is that they should be separated by approx 7 cm, but I leave it to you, you know best, important is only that they do not start from the middle).
Thank you!
Victor (Automatische Übersetzung)
Good day Victor,
Thank you for your feedback.
Yes, the zipper will be of black color (and not silver color).
Yes the backpack straps will not start from the middle of the backpack and will be separated with enough space to make sure the backpack is carried with ease.
Back zipper
On The back zipper, please select if you need it vertically or horizontally placed (Both photos are attached and named so).
We look forward to your feedback.
With thanks,
Gikonyo Stellar
Hello,
I would like the zipper to be Vertical please.
Thank you,
Victor (Automatische Übersetzung)
Hello Victor,
Your feedback is well received on the vertical placement of the zipper.
Kind regards.
Gikonyo Stellar
Crafting Process
How to make a Bespoke Small Leather Backpack for 13-Inch Laptop – work in progress
Good day Victor.
We are grateful for your order.
We will get started tomorrow November 3rd and keep you updated, with the intention of being ready by in 6 days.
With thanks,
Gikonyo Stellar
Thank you (Automatic translation)
Good day Victor.
Please find the attached photos of your custom order for your review and confirmation.
We look forward to your feedback.
Kind Regards,
Gikonyo Stellar.
Hello,
The backpack looks good, but I wanted smooth leather with a black zipper, didn't we agree on that?
Otherwise I find the handle at the back a bit too big, but that's not so bad.
Thank you very much! (Automatic translation)
Good day Victor.
Your feedback is well received.
We are in production using smooth black leather and Black zipper.
We will also adjust the back handle.
Kind regards,
Gikonyo Stellar
Great thanks! It would be great for all the other metal parts like buttons, etc. are black too. (Automatische Übersetzung)
Good day Victor.
Please find the attachments for your review.
On Black metals: The available options are in nylon which we feel will not last as long as the bag.
As a result,We have used Antique metals .
If the nylon accessories are acceptable to you, we can replace the same.
We await your feedback.
Kind regards,
Gikonyo stellar
Thank you (Automatic translation)
Hello Victor,
This is Vicky, the local operations manager. I recently received your backpack and have done a thorough quality check and would like to confirm that all aspects of the bag aligns with your specifications. The backpack’s height is 35 cm, width 28.5 cm and depth is 10 cm. It’s clearly sized as a small backpack and the placement and proportions of the pockets and compartments match the referenced sketches. The shoulder straps are separated at the top with the correct gap of 7 cm as requested, and all pocket openings and compartment placements fall within the agreed positions and dimensions.
The main body is made of smooth black leather with a consistent finish, the lining is a solid black fabric, and every zipper is black. Metal fittings are the antique-metal finish approved in the last customer feedback. The shoulder straps are both adjustable and padded, and the carrying handle is also present.
Every zipper i.e main compartment, internal zippers, the front pocket and the vertical back zipper all operate smoothly without catching thus passing the functionality test. The small inner valuables compartment closes securely and reliably. The vertical back zipper is positioned and finished to match your chosen option and referenced photo. The shoulder straps are adjustable as intended, and the carrying handle also feels robust under load.
The finishing is neat and professional. All seams are reinforced with no skipped stitches or loose threads. Edges are even and smooth with no fraying or sharpness. Stitching is uniform and tight with no visible gaps, and the shoulder strap padding is evenly distributed and sufficient for comfortable wear. The leather surface is clean and free from marks or rough patches.
Visually the backpack reads exactly like the approved design: the shape, strap separation, pocket layout and hardware are harmonious and consistent with the reference images. All colors are consistent across materials black leather, black lining, black zippers and the antique metal complements the overall look. The backpack presents as robust and well-made.
I have shared more close-up photos and a video to show you what to expect once you get your item. Kindly have a look and let us know what you think.
Warmest regards,
Vicky Achieng.
Thank you very much!
Victor (Automatic translation)
The Finished Unique Piece – Individually Handmade
Reference: ON-AI-000793D-95303
Cost structure of this project
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Cost of material |
79.87
|
| Cost of labour |
34.72
|
| Cost of packaging |
3.47
|
| Local Transport to photoshoot and parcel drop-off |
3.13
|
| Subtotal – payout to artisan |
121.19
|
| Customer acquisition costs (advertising etc.) |
12.12
|
| Handling fee Urban Change Lab |
12.12
|
| Total (excluding shipping & taxes) |
145.43
|
- Secure: Transparent ordering & approval
- Personal: We support you at every step
- Fair: Direct local value creation in Kenya
Note on shipping & taxes
The cost breakdown above shows how the value of this individual project is composed.
Shipping costs and any applicable taxes (e.g. VAT) depend on the delivery country and the specific setup and are therefore not shown as fixed amounts here.
All additional costs are communicated transparently before placing a binding order.
If you have any questions, you will find our contact details further down this page.
