Mariam Kaba crafted a durable and sleek black leather rucksack for Achim, blending elegance with practicality to fit all his essentials seamlessly. What's your wish? →
View material & custom-made details
This bespoke leather backpack for 14-inch laptop was made by Mariam Kaba as a clean black everyday carry with dedicated space for work essentials and large side pockets for water bottles. The finished project is a useful example for anyone planning a custom leather laptop backpack with structured shape, organized interior and understated styling.
- Request: A black leather backpack with a top handle, a minimalist exterior, strong YKK zip closure, a padded section for a 14-inch laptop, room for a tablet and practical storage for daily items.
- Final result: The completed backpack used matte black leather with silver-tone YKK zip teeth, a structured build so it could stand on its own, and an exterior depth that reached around 15.5 cm when packed with side bottles in place.
- Design details: Inside, the bag was divided into a padded laptop compartment and a larger main compartment, with additional organizer pockets, two full-width inner zip pockets, a key loop and a light-colored lining to make contents easier to see.
- Fit and use: The outer side pockets were tested with full 1 litre bottles, and one photo check even used a 1.25 litre bottle, showing this layout worked for commuting, office use and day travel.
- Process: Progress photos documented leather selection, construction and finishing, and the shoulder straps were later reworked for correct alignment before final approval; the customer described the backpack as very nice and confirmed they were satisfied with the result.
Every unique piece tells a story. What’s yours?
This design was custom-made exclusively for Achim. 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.
A request by Achim from Nuertingen, Germany
Hello,
I would like to request a black leather backpack.
Width approx. 33cm, height 42cm and depth 15cm. Top handle.
Outside: robust, but not too thick, weatherproof leather, washable bottom, rather no metal feet. The rucksack should not collapse when put down.
It should be closed from the outside with a waterproof zipper. Zippers must be of the best quality.
The inside is divided into a padded laptop compartment (14″ notebook; min. 1.55 cm thick; 31.26 x 22.12 cm) and a large main compartment. A loop with magnetic closure prevents the laptop from slipping out.
The laptop compartment should still have space for a tablet (12.9″, min. 6.4mm thick; 28.06 x 21.49cm), as well as pockets on the divider for a cell phone, passport, power bank and pen.
Two additional zippered pockets across the entire width on the inside of the rear part of the backpack. The lower pocket is higher than the upper one.
In the main compartment there should be a loop for storing a bunch of keys (e.g. with an eyelet)
The inside should be made of a light-colored material (not leather) so that the contents are clearly visible.
There should be a compartment for a bottle on the right and left of the backpack. At least a 1 liter water bottle should fit there (approx. 8.5 cm diameter?). The compartment should be made of a stretchy material and/or leather.
I look forward to your first feedback!
The Journey of Creating Bespoke Leather Backpack for 14-Inch Laptop
Negotiation & Planning
Bespoke Leather Backpack for 14-Inch Laptop - design ideas and artisan proposals
Hello and thank you for the order with very detailed information. Lovely.
I can do the back pack just need to know what you mean about the washable bottom? Also no metal studs as feet? Please explain those two.
I use best quality zippers of YKK brand. There is a choice of metal teeth (antique gold color, silver color or gold color) or plastic teeth (black). But none are waterproof zipper. Let me know if this is okay and which you prefer.
Hello Mariam,
with the washable bottom I thought that either a more robust leather would be used or perhaps a plastic "tub" or something similar.
I am also open to other suggestions!
For the zipper I think YKK is a good choice, I prefer silver. I can do without waterproof. (Automatic translation)
Hello Achim,
Okay, we are in agreement regarding the YKK zip - black fabric with silver teeth.
For the bottom shall I use a pvc material? Though I think the same leather all through the bag including the bottom would be better. Or do we do the normal leather all through and put a detachable pvc cover for the bottom?
Hi Mariam, I like the idea of using the same leather for the whole bag best. (Automatic translation)
Hi Achim, that’s a good direction to go. Might you have photos of the front of the bag? The photos you shared are only side and back view.
Hello Mariam, yes I have! Have attached them. I imagine a very clean look without the logo. (Automatic translation)
Thanks, I see the clean look you are after.
Should the bottles spaces L and R be inside the bag or outside the bag?
Also I have attached a photo of the zip and closure.
Hi Mariam, I would like to have the space for bottles on the outside. (Automatic translation)
Thanks Achim, that’s understood. Let me inquire from UCL as to the next step.
Hello Mariam, I don't understand what the next steps are now. Is there anything required from me? Thank you, Achim. (Automatische Übersetzung)
Hello Achim.
I have calculated the costs and indicated. Please advise if okay with you.
Thanks.
Hi Mariam, thanks for the calculation, that's fine with me! When could you start with the backpack? (Automatic translation)
Hello Achim. I will look for the appropriate leather today and this weekend and get back to you with the photo.
Crafting Process
How to make a Bespoke Leather Backpack for 14-Inch Laptop – work in progress
Hi, I will go source the leather next week.
Hello Mariam, very nice! Is there a possibility to get photos of the leather before we make a decision?
Thank you very much,
Achim (Automatic translation)
Yes Achim, as soon as I get the leather, I will show you photos before starting the cutting.
Ok, I'm curious! (Automatic translation)
Hi, what do you think of this black leather?
Hi Mariam, I like the structure and color of the leather. How thick is it? Is it robust enough to stand on the floor? (Automatic translation)
Hello Achim. The leather is soft so I will have to reinforce it to give the bag structure to be able to stand on the floor on its own.
Today I will go to purchase the accessories being buckles, zips etc.
Hello Mariam, do you already have photos of the other material? I would love to take a look! (Automatic translation)
Hi Achim. I had written a message with photos and thought it came to you but appears it didn’t.
I have attached some photos of leather. Please advise if you prefer the matt one with bigger dots. Or the shiny leather with smaller dots. In my opinion the matt one looks classier. Please let me know what you think. Regards, Mariam.
Hi Mariam, I have now received the pictures. I also like the matte leather better, I'll opt for that. Thank you very much, Achim (Automatic translation)
Perfect.
I will start on the bag tomorrow and share photos of the progress as we go along.
Great, I'm very excited! (Automatic translation)
Super.
Let’s do this.
🚀 are there any pictures yet? 🙂 (Automatic translation)
Yes. Just took some of progress.
Will send more when we start cutting the lining and when we are stitching.
Yes. Just took some of progress.
Will send more when we start cutting the lining and when we are stitching.
Wow, that was quick now! Looks very good and exactly how I imagined it 😍 (Automatic translation)
I’m so happy to hear from you.
Yes, your bag is complete and it came out beautifully. Your leather choice was very good. It’s ready for dispatch to Urban Change Lab.
Wonderful, I'm really looking forward to it! Would it be possible to send a few scraps of leather in case I want to mend or change something? (Automatic translation)
Hello Achim,
This is Vicky, the local operations manager. I just received your bag from Mariam and it looks so beautiful and very sturdy! The material and accessories used are all of very good quality. I have shared several other photos of the bag, so kindly look through them to get a better picture of the item you will be receiving.
I reached out to Mariam regarding your request for the leather scraps from your custom bag, unfortunately, I must inform you that she and her team no longer have those scraps available as they were discarded after the completion of your bag in line with their usual process for managing materials. I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please rest assured that we are committed to supporting any future needs you may have.
Best regards,
Vicky Achieng.
Hello Vicky,
I have looked at the pictures and have two more questions:
- Could I get another picture where you can see them better? It looks on picture IMG_2836.jpeg as if it were 13cm? That would be a shame, because I was imagining 15cm.
- the bottle holders on the sides: Could I get a picture with the backpack filled and full 1l bottles on the sides?
Thank you very much (Automatic translation)
Hello Achim,
I made more photos showing the width of the bag when filled. And also with 1 litre bottles on the side. Actually, one of the bottles I used was 1.25 litres. When filled to capacity, without the bottles on the side, the width was at 17.5cm, so to accommodate the bottles I removed a few things at which point the width was 15.5cm. Please take a look at the new photos and let us know what you think.
Do not hesitate to reach out to us if you need any more clarification.
Best regards,
Vicky Achieng.
Hello Vicky,
Thank you for the pictures. My questions are now answered and I am very satisfied 🙂 The backpack can be shipped!
Many greetings,
Achim (Automatic translation)
Hi Achim,
I hope you're doing well. I’d like to apologize again for the previous oversight with the backpack straps and the delay in resolving it. Mariam has now reworked the straps, and they are correctly aligned. I’ve attached some photos for you to review. Please take a look and let us know what you think.
Thank you so much for your patience, and I look forward to your feedback.
Warmest regards,
Vicky.
Hello Vicky, many thanks to Mariam for the revision and you for the new pictures. The belt looks good now, for me it fits. Many greetings, Achim (Automatic translation)
The Finished Unique Piece – Individually Handmade
Reference: ON-AI-000036D-60025
Cost structure of this project
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Cost of material |
102.41
|
| Cost of labour |
34.14
|
| Cost of packaging |
1.37
|
| Local Transport to photoshoot and parcel drop-off |
2.05
|
| Subtotal – payout to artisan |
139.97
|
| Customer acquisition costs (advertising etc.) |
14
|
| Handling fee Urban Change Lab |
14
|
| Total (excluding shipping & taxes) |
167.97
|
- 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.
