Urban Change Lab

Your wishes - custom made

Custom made leather rucksack with a feminine look

Designed with Christina from Berlin-Mitte, made by Stella Gikonyo in Nairobi.

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Stella Gikonyo made Valerie a leather rucksack that feels elegant, feminine, and ready for everyday life, with thoughtful touches inside and out. What's your wish? →

View material & custom-made details

This custom made leather rucksack with a feminine look was developed by Stella Gikonyo for everyday work carry, combining practical storage with softer decorative details. It is a useful example for anyone considering a leather backpack with laptop protection, organized compartments, beadwork accents and a bright printed lining.

  • Request: The aim was a brown leather rucksack that felt practical enough for work but still looked chic and feminine, with space for a laptop, books, a water bottle, keys, small essentials and an umbrella.
  • Final result: The finished bag included a padded compartment for a 14-inch laptop, a roomy main section, an inside phone pocket, an interior zipper pocket, a water-bottle slot and an outer pocket sized for an umbrella.
  • Design details: Warm brown leather was paired with an Ankara print lining, leather-trimmed inside pockets and beadwork along the outer pocket for a more refined look. The front buckles kept the classic rucksack style, while magnetic closures underneath made access quicker.
  • Fit and use: The layout left enough room to carry a laptop together with a couple of books and other daily items, and the deep outer pocket also worked well for keeping essentials close at hand.
  • Process: Public updates showed the pattern development, beadwork preparation and final photos before approval, and the completed bag was praised for its soft leather, well-finished stitching and thoughtful color combination.
Customer's rating: ★★★★★ “My bag is even better than I imagined it. The color is perfect, the leather is so soft making it co…Read more“My bag is even better than I imagined it. The color is perfect, the leather is so soft making it comfortable to carry. The beading on the outside pocket has been stitched very well and elevates the bag from a regular rucksack to a fancy one. I have already received many compliments because of it. I love the inner lining and the leather trim on the inside pockets. The laptop compartment on the inside is big enough for me to add a couple of books and still have space to put other things in the main compartment. And of course I love the pouch for my water bottle. The compartment for the umbrella that I asked for on the outside is the perfect size. I also realized I can also put my phone in and it’s deep enough to prevent anyone from taking it out. Stellar was always quick to give feedback and at no point in time did I doubt that was going to get a beautiful product in the end.” — Valerie Baumeister Berlin-Mitte, Germany (20. May 2023)
custom made leather rucksack with a feminine lookcustom made leather rucksack with a feminine lookMaßgeschneiderter Leder-Rucksack mit Extra-Fach.Beaded

Every unique piece tells a story. What’s yours?

This design was custom-made exclusively for Christina. 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.

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A request by Christina from Berlin-Mitte, Germany

I would like to have a leather rucksack that is practical but also has a chic, feminine look. I would like the lining on the inside to have a bright coloured print for example Ankara print. There should be a compartment for a laptop; and also enough space for a couple of books and a water bottle. And a compartment on the inside where I can place smaller items e.g. lip balm, tissues. I would also like a little compartment with either a button or zip where I can place my rings that I usually have to take off when I’m at work. I would also like to have a pocket on the outside where I can place my work and home keys for easy access without having to open the bag, and a slot for my umbrella on the side.

The Journey of Creating Custom made leather rucksack with a feminine look

Negotiation & Planning

Custom made leather rucksack with a feminine look - design ideas and artisan proposals

Custom made leather rucksack with a feminine look - design ideas and artisan proposalsCustom made leather rucksack with a feminine look - design ideas and artisan proposalsCustom made leather rucksack with a feminine look - design ideas and artisan proposalsCustom made leather rucksack with a feminine look - design ideas and artisan proposalsCustom made leather rucksack with a feminine look - design ideas and artisan proposalsCustom made leather rucksack with a feminine look - design ideas and artisan proposalsCustom made leather rucksack with a feminine look - design ideas and artisan proposalsCustom made leather rucksack with a feminine look - design ideas and artisan proposalsCustom made leather rucksack with a feminine look - design ideas and artisan proposalsCustom made leather rucksack with a feminine look - design ideas and artisan proposalsCustom made leather rucksack with a feminine look - design ideas and artisan proposals
Stella Gikonyo (3. February 2023)

Good day Valerie,
We are happy to provide an offer for your Rucksack.
Please find our proposed design to which we will replace the side pockets with a place for your umbrella.
We propose 15 inches or please let us know your Laptop size.
We have included our interiors that will provide:
One padded laptop compartment
Two phone pockets
One zipper pocket.
We will add a slot for your water bottle.
On the outside we will remove the small pockets and add one that carries an umbrella( Prefered height for theumbrella pocket?)
Do you have a preferred leather color?

We look forward to your feed back.

With thanks,
Gikonyo Stellar.

Valerie Baumeister (5. February 2023)

Hello Stella
14 inches for the laptop compartment. One phone pocket is enough. I like the style of the black rucksack especially the beading. I would love to have something similar on mine. For example having the beading lining the outside pocket and maybe also on the tassels. The length of the umbrella pocket should be about 9,5 inches.
I would like it to be a brown leather bag. See preferred colour in the picture attached. The colour of the beading should complement the colour of the bag.
In the black bag you attached do you have to open the buckles to open the bag or is that only for aesthetics and there's a button underneath to just pull the flap open?

Regards,
Valerie

Stella Gikonyo (6. February 2023)

Dear Valerie,
I appreciate your feedback.
Leather.
I have attached the brown leather in stock that we plan to use for your project. Please confirm if it works for you.

Beads
Yes we can add beading to line the pockets. Please confirm the marked pocket is where you prefer the matching beads.

Buckles
On the buckles, theres a magnet underneath for quick access.

Lining
I have attached the lining in Ankara print that will go well with the leather.

I lookforward to your response.

With thanks,
Gikonyo Stellar

Valerie Baumeister (7. February 2023)

Hi Stella.

The leather is perfect. And yes I would llike the beading on the marked pocket.
As for the ankara print for the inner lining, could you please send me some other options?
The cost of the bag is quite high. How can we make it cheaper?

Regards,

Valerie

Stella Gikonyo (8. February 2023)

Hi Valerie,
Thank you for your feedback.

Ankara print lining
Please find attached samples for your review and approval.

Cost
The main cost elements are leather and Metal Accessories.
We can remove the magnets behind the buckles( You will have to open the buckles to access the inside of the Rucksack).
All the other elements will have to remain to make the bag functional.

As requested we can discount the cost by 8% while maintaining tje quality of leather & workmanship.

Let me know if this works for you so i can adjust the details.

Kind regards,
Gikonyo Stellar

Valerie Baumeister (14. February 2023)

Hello Stellar.
I thought about it and would prefer tpo have the magnetic element to the buckles. As for the material on the inside I would like the Ankara-2.

Thank you,
Valerie

Stella Gikonyo (15. February 2023)

Hello Valerie,
Thank you for your feedback.
We will keep the magnets gor quick access.
Ankara2 fabric has been set aside for the work.
We look forward to realizing your Rucksack.

With thanks,
Gikonyo Stellar.

Valerie Baumeister (25. February 2023)

Ok thank you. Please proceed.

Stella Gikonyo (26. February 2023)

Goodday Valerie,

Thank for tge conformation.
We will get started.

With thanks
Gikonyo Stellar

Crafting Process

How to make a Custom made leather rucksack with a feminine look – work in progress

How to make a Custom made leather rucksack with a feminine look – work in progressHow to make a Custom made leather rucksack with a feminine look – work in progressHow to make a Custom made leather rucksack with a feminine look – work in progressHow to make a Custom made leather rucksack with a feminine look – work in progressVideo: How to make a Custom made leather rucksack with a feminine look – work in progressHow to make a Custom made leather rucksack with a feminine look – work in progressHow to make a Custom made leather rucksack with a feminine look – work in progressHow to make a Custom made leather rucksack with a feminine look – work in progressHow to make a Custom made leather rucksack with a feminine look – work in progressHow to make a Custom made leather rucksack with a feminine look – work in progress
Stella Gikonyo (23. March 2023)

Dear Valerie,
Thank you for the opportunity to realize your Backpack.
We will get started on the sourcing so we can make the bag.

Kind regards,. Gikonyo Stellar

Valerie Baumeister (27. March 2023)

Ok. Looking forward to seeing pictures of the progress.

Stella Gikonyo (29. March 2023)

Hello Valerie,
We are working on the beading detail.
Once we are ready i will share the photos afterwhich we can start on the Rucksack.

Kind regards,
Gikonyo Stellar

Valerie Baumeister (31. March 2023)

Noted. Thanks.

Regards,
Valerie

Stella Gikonyo (1. April 2023)

Hello Valerie,
Please find our progress report.
We have finished generating the pattern.
We will proceed with the production with plans to have tge Rucksack ready early next week.

Kind regards,
Gikonyo Stellar

Valerie Baumeister (3. April 2023)

Hello Stellar

Thanks for the update. I assume that the leather with the buckles on top of it is the one being used for the bag. Correct?
I'm wondering why the leather with the beading is much lighter then the one with the buckles on it.

Regards
Valerie

Stella Gikonyo (3. April 2023)

Hello Valerie,
Thank you for your feedback.
Yes the buckles & the leather are what is going into the bag.
On the beads, we will weave them into the pocket and in the final bag the beads will have thw same leather as the Rucksack.
We are finalizing and in the next update i will have full photos.

Kind regards
Gikonyo Stellar

Valerie Baumeister (6. April 2023)

Great looking forward to seeing them.

Regards
Valerie

Stella Gikonyo (8. April 2023)

Hi Valerie,
We have finalized on the Rucksack.
Please find the photos for your review.

Kind regards ,
Gikonyo Stellar

Valerie Baumeister (8. April 2023)

Hi Stellar.

The Rucksack looks great. I love the details you put into it. I'm glad we chose the colour combination. Thank you so much.

Regards,
Valerie

The Finished Unique Piece – Individually Handmade

custom made leather rucksack with a feminine lookcustom made leather rucksack with a feminine lookThe Finished Unique Piece – Individually HandmadeMaßgeschneiderter Leder-Rucksack mit Extra-Fach.BeadedThe Finished Unique Piece – Individually HandmadeThe Finished Unique Piece – Individually HandmadeThe Finished Unique Piece – Individually HandmadeThe Finished Unique Piece – Individually HandmadeThe Finished Unique Piece – Individually Handmade

Photo © Urban Change Lab · Photographer: Daryl Wanjiku · Model: Daryl Wanjiku

Reference: ON001482E-43426

Cost structure of this project

Price
Cost of material
112.85
Cost of labour
34.76
Cost of packaging
5.41
Local Transport to photoshoot and parcel drop-off
3.86
Subtotal – payout to artisan
156.88
Customer acquisition costs (advertising etc.)
15.69
Handling fee Urban Change Lab
15.69
Total (excluding shipping & taxes)
188.26
  • 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.

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