Virginia Kariuki crafted a beautifully rugged yet smart brown leather laptop bag for Valerie's husband, ensuring it was perfect for business and everyday use. What's your wish?
A request by Valerie from Berlin, Germany
I would like to have a laptop bag made of real leather, preferably brown for my husband. The leather should have a rugged or weathered look to it, like a vintage look but the bag should look smart enough to be taken along to business meetings. A MacBook Air should be able to fit in it. The compartments should be well padded for protection, with a compartment for the cables and a phone.
The Journey of Creating Custom made laptop bag made of real leather
Negotiation & Planning
Custom made laptop bag made of real leather - design ideas and artisan proposals
Hi Valerie,
Thank you for this project. I am looking forward to working on your project.
Please choose what kind of design you'd like, if it's a feminine trendy laptop bag or vintage laptop bag.
Regardless of the design you choose, I will use genuine Kenyan leather that has been aged to give it that raggedy vintage look.
Hallo Virginia
The laptop Bag is a vintage bag for a man. Could you please send pictures of suggestions for the brown leather tone you would be working with?
Hi Valerie, Apologies for the delay. Here is one of my bags and a design for the laptop bag.
Hi Virginia.
I would prefer have the bag without the outer pockets. Even though it should have a vintage look I would still like to have it on the sleek, elegant side since my husband (who's receiving it as a gift, already has a bag that's more on the casual side) But I do like the type of leather depicted in that particular photo (with the Ferell bag).
Hi Valerie.
Great. So I will pad it and put a compartment for the Mac book for shock protection. If you want the laptop to fit perfectly, I'll need the dimensions if it's the 11' or the 13'
It will also have a compartment for a notebook and pens an a lager compartment.
Hi Virginia.
It's a Mac Book Air 13'
Size
Height: 0.11–0.68 inch (0.3–1.7 cm)
Width: 12.8 inches (32.5 cm)
Depth: 8.94 inches (22.7 cm)
And there should be enough room for the charger.
Hi Valerie.
Yes the charger will have room in the bigger compartment. And I will include a lining for scratch protection. 🙂
Awesome! Thank you.
Great So I think am comfortable with starting the project on Monday. It will take at most 3 days so by Thursday or Friday latest I should deliver it to the Kenyan office.
Hi Virginia
Could you please provide photos during the work process? And also a picture of the type of leather so I can see what we're working with?
Thanks
Hi Valerie.
Yes, I will take pictures as I work on it. I don't have the leather in the workshop as we speak but come Monday I'll go to the tannery and get the exact vintage brown leather that you had approved. If it's ok I can send you the pictures of the leather when I get it?
Yes that’s fine.
Crafting Process
How to make a Custom made laptop bag made of real leather – work in progress
Hi Valerie.
I went to the tannery on Monday as promised and this is what I got as per our earlier discussion. Please let me know if it's what you had mind.
Hi Valerie,
I have sent the general idea of how the bag will look like. Today I cut the leather patterns and got everything except the zips which I plan on using brass zip to make it even more manly. Will send the other pics tomorrow as I work to finish it.
Sounds good.
Please go ahead.
Hi Valerie,
Apologies for the delay but good news is the bag is ready. Here are the photos of the process.
I hope you like it.
Hi Virginia.
The bag looks amazing. The only thing my husband is worried about is that the hand straps are too long, making it look like a ladies bag. Could you please make the straps shorter?
Hi Valerie.
I'll adjust them on 27th and give you feedback. Glad you like the bag.
Merry Christmas 🙂
Hi Valerie,
I hope you've been well, I adjusted the straps' length and design too. Let me know how you like it.
Hi Virginia.
The length is perfect. Would it be too much trouble to make the straps rounded like in the first version (as in where the straps were too long) ? Because my concern is that there is more friction carrying it with straight straps rather than when they’re rounded.
Hi Valerie,
Hope you're well. I hope that's good? I used the same straps I hope it's not too small.
Hi Virginia.
The straps are fine.
I’m looking forward to seeing the final product.
Thank you.
Final Delivery – The Completed Piece in Photos
Customer Photos After Delivery
The Finished Unique Piece – Individually Handmade
Reference: ON001103E-3765
Detailed Cost Breakdown
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Cost of material |
89.93
|
| Cost of labour |
19.67
|
| Cost of packaging |
1.87
|
| Cost of delivery to local operations manager |
0.94
|
| Subtotal – payout to artisan |
112.41
|
| Customer acquisition costs (advertising etc.) |
11.24
|
| Handling fee Urban Change Lab |
11.24
|
| Shipping costs from Kenya to Germany* |
15
|
| VAT (Germany)* |
28.48
|
| Total |
178.37
|
*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.
