Okay, so, I just gotta share this little project I did – remaking a Prada Galleria Saffiano leather bag. You know, the medium-sized one, yeah, that one.
First things first, I got my hands on some Saffiano leather. Let me tell you, finding the right stuff wasn’t easy. I did some research and found it is a type of genuine leather, but not full-grain leather. It’s treated and embossed, not like full-grain which develops a cool patina over time. It’s different but still good quality. I went through a few different suppliers before I found one that had the texture and feel I was looking for. I bought some samples first, felt them up, made sure they were the real deal.
Next up, I got all the hardware together. The gold-toned hardware the original bag has? I managed to find some that looked pretty darn close. Zippers, buckles, those little feet at the bottom of the bag, the whole shebang. The real challenge here was getting the measurements right. I used the measurement 30 x 20 x 14 cm from online, and I spent hours measuring and double-checking and triple-checking my materials. And I compared it to pictures of the real Prada bag, you know, to make sure I was on the right track.
- Saffiano leather – check
- Gold-toned hardware – check
- Measurements – 30 x 20 x 14 cm – check
Then came the fun part – putting it all together. I got my trusty sewing machine out, took a deep breath, and started stitching. It was slow going, I’m not gonna lie. This kind of thing takes patience, and I definitely messed up a few times. Seam ripper became my best friend during this whole thing, haha.
I focused on getting the shape and structure of the bag right, which is what makes the Galleria so iconic, it is presented in the medium version. I wanted that classic, timeless look, the kind that just screams “Prada”. I studied pictures of the original, paying close attention to how the panels were joined, how the handles were attached, all those little details.
Finally, after many late nights and a lot of coffee, it was done. My very own “original order” Prada Galleria bag. It’s not perfect, but I’m pretty darn proud of it. It’s got that same sturdy feel as the real thing, the same elegant look. And you know what? It’s unique. There’s not another one like it out there.
If you’re thinking about trying something like this, my advice is to do your research, be patient, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. And remember, this is the advice about cleaning: only clean your Saffiano leather products with a soft damp cloth or a specific leather cleaning solution. It’s all part of the learning process. And who knows, you might just surprise yourself with what you can create!
Click to consult