Isabell Mathenge crafted a sleek, chic handbag for Constanze, blending elegance and utility, with space for essentials and the perfect strap for her bike. What's your wish?
A request by Constanze from Berlin - Charlottenburg, Germany
Hi, I would be interested in a handbag that is very chic, but I need to be able to place my small 14 Inch (+- Din A4) laptop in it. The leather should be not too thin or weak but certainly without prints. Parts with goat- or cowhide would also be possible. And I a long, thin belt to secure it on my bike.
The Journey of Creating Custom made chic handbag
Negotiation & Planning
Custom made chic handbag - design ideas and artisan proposals
Hey Constanze, my name is Ephraim. It would be a pleasure to realize your idea. If you don't mind there's a couple of questions I would love to ask to get a clear picture of your idea.
1)Would you prefer we work with genuine hide only, synthetic leather (highest quality) or a blend of both?
2)What is your preferred colour and in case that one won't be available, what is your second option?
3)What are your estimated dimensions in length, hight, and width of the handbag?
4)Which part of your bicycle will be used to carry the bag? Also kindly send an image of the part of the bicycle.
Kindly send more images of the inspiration photo from different angles and also feel free to share other features you would like the bag to have. Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Hi Ephraim - nice to hear from you. Sorry I am getting back late. So happy new year to you!
1. I would prefer genuine leather.
2. Chocolate brown would be super. If not available black would go, too.
3. The bag should be about 35-40 cm wide, about 26 cm high and 18 to 20 cm in the depth. It should have a division inside so that I can put my notebook in then one half and whatever else I have in the other side. And maybe one more pocket inside. The lining should be textile. Do you have photos of a possible pattern? Can be a completely different colour.
4. I will put the handbag in the basket of my bike - don't worry about that. But it should have a long additional thin belt to fix it against theft.
Hey Constanze, apologies for the late reply. I have been doing some research on some unique leather handbag designs that are closely related to your idea. I have attached the images. Kindly inform me which design best appeals to you. However, I am currently on the hunt for the perfect textile to use as an interior lining. Would you be interested in something colourful or a plain colour?
Hi Ephraim, the interior lining should definitely be colourful. Maybe even a light green (Pantone 802). The bag that I am aiming for should be close to the Bag "Speedy" by Louis Vuitton - only with a divider in the middle, so that I can put my Computer in it plus everything that a woman needs to carry ;-).
https://www.google.com/search?q=speedy+40&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj5h7adhd7fAhWFEVAKHWAFAikQ_AUIDigB&biw=1438&bih=706#imgrc=P_FuhFl5-NHx3M:
All the best - Constanze
Hey Constanze, today I visited a local tannery and managed to find genuine leather (dark chocolate) with the same texture as the material used in the Louis Vuitton bags. Sorry my camera didn't do the colour justice but I managed to capture the texture.
As for the interior lining, I managed to find two fabrics that are closest to Pantone 802 . All the images are attached.
Kindly share with me your opinion on the options above.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Great, Ephraim! I like the 'more complicated' pattern with the thin yellow lines. The leather is awesome. Is there any chance to build in an element of hide at some place? All the best - Constanze
Hey, I also love the 'more complicated' fabric option it gives the bag a unique contrast. At the moment we won't be able to work with hide since it is only sold in large quantities. However, in the case whereby you are interested in having several bags custom made, there are several options available. I am ready to start working on your bag. I have to admit I am very excited to see how this bag comes out.
I have to admit I am very excited to see how this bag comes out. 🙂 . --- Me too!
OK - then no nee to hide 😉
Is there a choice between zippers or buckles? If there is, I'd like to choose to... this really works very well despite the thousands of kilometres between us.
All the best - Constanze
Hey Constanze, sorry for the late reply... Yes, the convince is really great. What a time to be alive... 😎
The images have the available options for attaching the handle to the bag, the buckle to work as an accessory and the adjuster for the long strap.
I will share the zipper and hook options soon.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Hallo Constanze,
Trust you are fine. My name is Isabel my speciality is Leather bags. Dealing mostly with bags made of genuine African Leather. I will be taking over from here.
I have read though your briefs and communication all is very clear and I am aware of your bag specifications. I have attached different cowhide that you can check through and select as per the colour and the finish you want. I would propose you use the high quality pullup leather about 1.6 to 1.8mm for a strong bag. The finish can be course or semigloss as you will see from the photos. I have given you high end leather options that I know will make a quality leather bag. The next is the fittings and hardwares I propose we use solid casted brass as it goes very well with leather for that antique look. The brass hardwares will be handmade from recycled brass then sand casted. For the lining inside we have a wide selection of the African fabrics which I will attach or you can opt for a plain cotton in black or darkbrown. For the zippers I would propose metal Brass antique YKK or MAX brand size 5 as it is strong and blends well with leather...please find a photo of the same. I have also attached few bags we have done so you can see the ideas and quality we have. Just some suggestion we can have an add on of bag charm that we can attach but make it removable, also if you wish to have a message or your name in printed or embossed in the bag it is also and open option for you.
Hope I have given you enough information to help you make the right decision.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Best Regards
Isabel
Hi Isabel - sorry for the late reply. Here some answers to your questions.
- I like the dark brown leather
- The lining with the little bird is fine
- The Hide looks awesome too
- The Add is a fun idea. It should be TEAM CODE ZERO
Here are questions from me:
- I think I would prefer a zipper also in dark brown. Is that possible?
- Can you send the photos of your bags again? I can't see them.
- Will you place the hide on the sides? Are we clear about that already?
I am looking forward to hearing from you.
All the best for now - Constanze
Hi Constanze
Thanks for your response well appreciated.
Going straight to the answers.
1. Yes the zipper will be a matching dark brown colour. No problem getting the dark brown zips.
2. We can place the hide on the sides or at the bottom and below the bottom half around it.
3. I have attached some of my work.
Crafting Process
How to make a Custom made chic handbag – work in progress
Hi Constanze
I have started the project today hoping to finish in the next 3 days at the very latest.
Thanks.
Hi
The project is underway. Please find work in progress video and photos.
Thanks
Isabel
Hi
Find attached photos and a short video of the bag. Hope you like it. Also I have embossed the name as you had suggested.
Awaiting your feedback!
Regards
Isabel
Hi Isabell,
this is really exiting and the bag looks great already. So the hide will not be on the sides but below? That's fine. Only if it was visible on the front (half hide/half leather) I would not agree 100%. And one more idea - will you protect the hide with little buttons or something? Because if the bag always stands on the hide it will be scraped off, soon don't you think?
All the best - Constanze
Hi Constanze,
Please have a look at how the bag look like.
If you feel we put the hide only on the sides only i will do it how you want. Just have a look and let me know if we do full leather and hide only on the sides. I have also added metal stands at the bottom to protect the leather from getting scraped off. I have added a belt to to help fastening it on the bike check if it is ok.
Otherwise if you like it am ready to ship it.
Awaiting your feedback.
Kind regards
Isabel
Hi Isabel - it's a bit different from what I would have imagined, but it looks fine, too like this. The belt should be long and fixed on the sides and be long (so I can also wear it over the shoulder) - if you can still change that I would be very happy. And also I would be very interested on how it looks from inside, because I am keen on a division - one side for the laptop, the other side for all the things that a woman needs in the handbag. My initial painting was not so clear obviously 😉
But I think soon we will be there 🙂
All the best from Constanze
Hi Constanze
Hope you have been well. Sorry I took long to reply but am back now.
See the image of the belt let me know if this is the idea you had.
Also attached is the photo showing the inside of the bag. Inside linning as you had chosen. It has a laptop compartment, iPad compartment. Laptop charger pocket, water bottle pocket and other auxilliary pockets.
Awaiting your input.
Many thanks!
Best regards
Isabell
Hi Isabel, now the belt is exactly how i imagined it. I have no more questions than nothing to add so you can ship the bag, if you want. I am very excited to hold the bug in my hands and I thank you very much for making it for me. I will send you a photo when it's there. All the best - Constance
The Finished Unique Piece – Individually Handmade
Reference: ON002043E-7176
Detailed Cost Breakdown
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Cost of material |
68.57
|
| Cost of labour |
25.71
|
| Cost of packaging |
2.57
|
| Cost of delivery to local operations manager |
3.43
|
| Subtotal – payout to artisan |
100.28
|
| Customer acquisition costs (advertising etc.) |
10.03
|
| Handling fee Urban Change Lab |
10.03
|
| Shipping costs from Kenya to Germany* |
15
|
| VAT (Germany)* |
25.71
|
| Total |
161.05
|
*Shipping costs and VAT vary depending on your location.
Each price shown is based on a unique, custom request. Final prices may vary depending on materials, effort, and delivery location.
