Virginia Kariuki crafted a beautifully coordinated handbag for Valerie, transforming a vision of elegance, perfect hues, and practical style into a stunning reality. What's your wish?
A request by Valerie from Berlin, Germany
I actually considered having a handbag made through you. And maybe I am still the first ?Most important criterion: Made of light blue suede leather. Color should exactly match the shoes in the photo. Otherwise a handy small size with an over-the-shoulder strap. Greetings, Valerie
The Journey of Creating Custom made handbag
Negotiation & Planning
Artisan's Proposals
Hey Valerie. Yes you're still my first. Special place for you with me in this platform 🙂
From the pictures I uploaded, do you like the design in black and red? I can look for the colour shade you want and advice accordingly. It's big enough but not too big.
Seeing that it's genuine leather, it will be a bit more costly than synthetic leather and serves you for way longer but if you prefer synthetic leather then we can talk about it.
Will give you a short service and it cannot hold any bead work. (special advice for my first)
Hello Virginia,
Thank you for your mail and your first ideas. Unfortunately, they are not quite in the direction I had intended. The bag is designed as an accompaniment for an evening dress. It should therefore be small and handy and discreet, so that the dress is the main focus. Please no beads, embroidery or anything like that. Only the suede and no artificial leather. I have attached the picture of a bag, which I like very much, but it doesn't have the right colour. The leather should be soft and the strap should be made of the same material. Thanks in advance!
Hey Valerie.
Hope you've been good. I finally understand what you want. Am sourcing for the leather you want, I keep you posted on both the price changes and material 🙂
Hello Virginia
Great, looking forward to it.
Hi Valerie,
There are the samples I got that were closest to what you wanted. The African fabric (kitenge) will be the lining and will only be visible when you open the bag.
I hope you like them
Hallo Virginia,
I think the lighter-coloured leather would be more suitable. You couldn't find leather in the exact colour and without patterning? I like the idea with the lining material. But please select a pattern with only blue and white. Thank you very much, I'm looking forward to seeing the result!
Hey Valerie, I believe the send fabric comes closest to what you wanted.
Crafting Process
Artisan’s Progress Updates
Hey Valerie,
Apologies for the silence. Sewing machine broke down but I'll have an update for you this week and try to deliver by end of week.
Please bear with me. Thanks
Dear Virginia, I am looking forward to the first results.
Hey Valerie,
I hope you have been well. Apologies for the delay. I finally got the sewing machine fixed.
I have provided the bag plan and will be uploaded the images as I proceed.
I expect to finish by tomorrow and deliver it to urban change lab on the same day or Monday morning.
Have a lovely day
Hello Virginia, I am excited. Thanks
Hey Valerie.
I hope you've been well. I have sent you pics of the exterior, will finish up on it tomorrow midday. Will send you the pics of the finished bag.
Again, Apologies on the delay. Too many mechanical issues with the sewing machine.
Only the straps and cover remain. The hard part is done.
Talk tomorrow. Have a lovely night.
OK! looking forward to the result
Hey.
Here's the finished bag. I have a feeling I got the texture right but not the colour. Let me know if you like it or if I should try get leather with a lighter shade of blue. 🙂
Hello
The bag is very beautiful and I'm looking forward to it. It can remain like that.
Thank you very much.
Hey Valerie,
Am glad you love it.
It was a pleasure. I'll include a little something for you when I deliver it come Thursday afternoon. 😉
The Finished Unique Piece – Individually Handmade
Reference: ON000726E-2627
Detailed Cost Breakdown
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Cost of material |
18.96
|
| Cost of labour |
21.8
|
| Cost of packaging |
1.9
|
| Cost of delivery to local operations manager |
0.95
|
| Subtotal – payout to artisan |
43.61
|
| Customer acquisition costs (advertising etc.) |
4.36
|
| Handling fee Urban Change Lab |
4.36
|
| Shipping costs from Kenya to Germany* |
0
|
| VAT (Germany)* |
9.94
|
| Total |
0
|
*Shipping costs and VAT vary depending on your location.
