Denis Mwangi crafted a beautiful, practical leather backpack for Sabrina, perfectly meeting her desire for elegance and ample space for school essentials. What's your wish?
A request by Sabrina from Graz, Österreich
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am looking for a customized leather backpack. This should look something like the attached photo (darker leather with black details, extra front pocket and two side pockets). Gladly even larger. A4 format and a 13 inch laptop, as well as a water bottle, umbrella and other utensils that I need at school (chalk, colored pencils, compasses, geo triangles, pencil case, wallet) should have space without any problems. The interior should also have multiple compartments (photo attached from your website). I also really like the design of the interior with fabric. I would be happy to receive a quote!
The Journey of Creating Custom Leather Backpack – A4 & 13″ Laptop
Negotiation & Planning
Artisan's Proposals
Hello Sabrina, I am happy to provide an offer for your beautiful idea. I propose Kes. 24,000 for an amazing implementation of your backpack. We can enlarge the bag to hold a 15 inch laptop so you also have a larger packing space. Looking forward to working on this order with you.
Best Regards,
Denis.
Dear Denis,
the price fits for me. If a 15 inch laptop fits inside, the backpack should be big enough.
I am looking forward to working with you! (Automatic translation)
Dear Sabrina,
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to work with you on your backpack. I'm glad the 15 inch profile should be large enough to fit everything you need at school. I will get on with it right way. I'll be sharing pictures of the leather we'll use for your approval.
Best regards,
Denis.
Hi Sabrina.
I hope you are doing well today. Kindly find attached an image of the best leather combinations that we've managed to find so far. What do you think? Kindly share your thoughts on the same. Thank you.
Kind Regards,
Denis
Hi Sabrina.
I hope you are doing well today. Kindly find attached an image of the best leather combinations that we've managed to find so far. What do you think? Kindly share your thoughts on the same. Thank you.
Kind Regards,
Denis
Hi Denis, is there also darker brown leather?
Love greetings
Sabrina (Automatic translation)
Hi Sabrina,
Hope you had a lovely weekend. I've tried searching for more options and I have two for you. Kindly find these attached. Tell me what you think.
Best Regards,
Denis
Hello Denis,
I like this leather the best so far (photo attached). Do you have another darker leather that goes a bit into the reddish? If not, we'll stick with this option.
Also, do you already know how exactly the interior will be designed? So what compartments and what pattern? Or will we talk about that later?
Love and have a nice week
Sabrina (Automatic translation)
Hello Sabrina,
I also felt that particular one which you've chosen is the closest to yours. Unfortunately that's the closest we can get currently so I think we should proceed with that one. As for the interior, do you have any specifications in terms of compartments? As for the fabric, I'll send pictures for you to select the one you love the most.
Warm regards,
Denis
Dear Denis,
all right. Then we will continue with this variant.
I would like to have the interior similar to a backpack on the website (photo attached). So a subdivision about in the middle. The rear compartment should be wide enough in any case, as I would like to stow my laptop including sleeve and at least an A4 pad here. In the front part would be smaller compartments on the front wall and / or side wall handy. Also, I would like a zippered compartment to store my keys and headphones.
Am already curious about the fabric samples.
Love greetings
Sabrina (Automatic translation)
Dear Sabrina,
Great! Thank you for the confirmation I'll rush to buy that leather before it's sold. It's been quite tough sourcing it.
About the African Ankara fabric, I'll send you options so you can choose don't you worry. They're many with interesting colors and patterns 😊
Warmest regards,
Denis
Crafting Process
Artisan’s Progress Updates
Hi Sabrina,
I hope you've been well. I had no way to contact you with the prompt on your end but I'm glad I have it now since you confirmed the order. Kindly find attached images of Ankara currently available. Advise me if you like any so we can now begin. Looking forward to your response.
Warm wishes,
Denis.
Dear Denis,
I like the first fabric pattern (WA0008) the best. You can continue with it. Thank you very much!
Kind regards
Sabrina (Automatic translation)
Dear Sabrina,
Hi. I hope you are doing well since we last spoke. I need some clarification. 1. Our backpack should exterior design wise look exactly like the attached photo (darker leather with black details, extra front pocket and two side pockets), right?
2. The interior should have compartments exactly as from the bag from our website, right? Including the water bottle holder?
3. For the umbrella and other utensils that you need at school (chalk, colored pencils, compasses, geo triangles, pencil case, wallet, keys), these are to be carried either in the general area of the backpack and/or the zippered compartments, yes?
Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Warm regards,
Denis.
Hello Denis,
I am fine!
1. yes exactly. Externally, the backpack should look exactly like the attached photo. I also really like the light stitching on the dark details.
2. the interior should look like the backpack on the website. However, I don't need the water bottle holder.
So the general part should have a division about in the middle, so that the back compartment is wide enough that I like to be able to store my laptop including sleeve and at least an A4 pad here. In the front part, smaller compartments on the front wall and/or side wall would be handy (photo attached). Also, I would like to have somewhere in the front part a zippered compartment to store my keys and headphones.
3. my utensils I plan to accommodate on the one hand in the front general part or in the side and in the front pocket.
I hope that all questions are clarified.
Kind regards
Sabrina (Automatic translation)
Hi Sabrina,
Thank you for the guide. I have been analysing your bag which you attached yesterday. Kindly advise if my interpretation is what you have in mind. 1. On your bag's front wall is a double mesh compartment. For us this becomes the zippered compartment? 2. We move the mesh compartment to the side and/or the wall on the opposite which holds laptop compartment?
3. Do you have specific depth for these compartments or we maintain standard depth?
4. Would you like the laptop compartment to be snug for your laptop? If yes, kindly give the width of the laptop sleeve with the laptop inside it.
Thank you.
Warmest regards,
Denis.
Hello Denis!
1. on the front wall I would like to have again a double compartment like on the photo. If it is possible, gladly with zipper. But it can also be open compartments as in my photo - depending on how it is more feasible.
2. if both would be possible, so a zipper compartment on the wall to the laptop compartment and on the side, that would be super. The more storage space the better.
3. I do not know exactly what the standard depth is, but my compartments are about 10 cm deep.
4. the laptop compartment can please be a bit bigger, so that I can store a pad (A4) or a thin folder in addition to my laptop. If the laptop compartment takes up about 1/3 of the interior, I think it fits.
I hope that I have answered all the questions.
Kind regards
Sabrina (Automatic translation)
Hello Sabrina!
Usually a zippered compartment is best as single for maximum functionality. As you see on the website from the bag you quoted, that compartment is single, the size of two small ones merged into one. Would you consider one single compartment so we can fit a zipper?
Best Regards,
Denis.
Hello Denis!
Yes, a single larger compartment will fit as well.
Love greetings
Sabrina (Automatic translation)
Hi Sabrina,
I'm attaching two images of the bag from our website. 1. First image is a clarification of the sections highlighted, just confirming we maintain the design, that is: laptop compartment, two open compartments on the outside wall of the laptop compartment and zipper compartment on the opposite side as in the image. (for extra compartments we'll figure out where to place these, maybe along the width of the bag where in this case the cup holder was placed)
2. Underside of the flap, would you like to maintain how it is on the image or we make it a perfect rectangle or maybe even take the african fabric all the way to the edge maybe?
3. Your bag looks slightly wider than the one on our website. Would you like to specify the width you prefer for the bag because of everything that you need to fit inside to be safe?
Best Regards,
Denis.
Hello Denis,
1. yes that's how it fits!
2. is it also possible to make the flap entirely of leather?
If it is better with fabric, I would like to have a rectangle.
3. the backpack should be about 20 cm wide.
Kind regards
Sabrina (Automatic translation)
Hello Sabrina,
Thank you so much for the clarifications. They're very important so we don't overlook something.
1. Perfect
2. Rectangle Will be perfect.
3. 20cm means the laptop compartment takes about 6.5cm
Unless you have something else you'd like to clarify, I have one last clarification for now.
I. For the closing mechanism? Are you fine with drawstrings and functional double buckles on the outside?
Best regards,
Denis.
Dear Denis.
3. yes that fits for the laptop compartment.
I. Yes the closure mechanism fits so for me.
Otherwise, everything should be clear. I'm looking forward to the backpack!
Love greetings
Sabrina (Automatic translation)
Hi Sabrina,
I hope you are doing well. Was ready for you on Friday but the system was undergoing some maintenance and I had to wait. Kindly find attached images of your lovely backpack. I look forward to hearing your feedback about it. Thank you.
Warm Regards,
Denis.
Hello Denis!
Wow, the backpack looks great! Exactly as I imagined it. Really great! Thanks for your work!
Love greetings
Sabrina (Automatic translation)
Hello Sabrina,
I'm so happy to see that you love it. This is honestly one of the most beautiful bags I have created. It was very tough to create but the tough labor was worth it. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to serve you 😊
Warmest regards,
Denis.
Hello Denis!
Thank you very much. The collaboration with you was great. I'm very excited to see how the backpack looks in person.
I wish you all the best for the future!
Love greetings
Sabrina (Automatic translation)
Dear Sabrina,
I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to share some photos with you that showcase how the bag appears when loaded with various items. I've included a 2L water bottle, an umbrella, a 13-inch laptop, and some books in the main compartment. The other compartment comfortably accommodates a large pack of wet wipes and a sanitiser bottle, while the side compartment conveniently holds a standard-sized Rubik's cube without causing any awkward bulging.
I must say, the bag looks absolutely stunning and efficiently accommodates all these items with plenty of room to spare. In addition to these features, the bag offers several other compartments, making it a versatile choice that fulfils its intended purpose admirably.
To provide you with more information, the bag's dimensions are as follows:
Length: 32cm
Width: 24cm
Height: 38cm
Please review these details and let me know if there are any specific additional information or images you'd like to see.
Best regards,
Vicky Achieng.
Dear Vicky,
thank you very much for the photos! I am very happy with the result. You can send the backpack.
I am looking forward to it!
Love greetings
Sabrina (Automatic translation)
The Finished Unique Piece – Individually Handmade
Reference: ON010520E-52298
Detailed Cost Breakdown
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Cost of material |
80.47
|
| Cost of labour |
77.12
|
| Cost of packaging |
3.35
|
| Cost of delivery to local operations manager |
0
|
| Subtotal – payout to artisan |
160.94
|
| Customer acquisition costs (advertising etc.) |
16.09
|
| Handling fee Urban Change Lab |
16.09
|
| Shipping costs from Kenya to Österreich* |
44.43
|
| VAT (Österreich)* |
45.14
|
| Total |
282.68
|
*Shipping costs and VAT vary depending on your location.
