The passion for high-quality leather accessories
Fashion and luxury handbags have already fascinated me as a teenager. When I was at school, I adored the latest bags from luxury labels in magazines and shop windows and knew that one day I would like to have one of these too.
At the same time, I was always a bit of a saver, 3,000 euros for a handbag is a statement. I couldn't even think of buying something like this during school and university, then I said to myself: When I have my first full-time job, I'll put some money aside every month for a year and then treat myself to my dream bag.
After that year, it wasn't the absolute luxury model, but a bag for 400 euros - I just couldn't bring myself to give up a three-week vacation in Australia for it!
I still like and use my bag to this day. But what struck me from the start, despite all the love I had for my beautiful bag: Basically, it "only" consists of four different pattern parts - so it's not particularly complex. Since I've always loved to sew and draw, I thought to myself: "Maybe I can do that too!"
... and then the journey began!
I learned about leathercraft, sewing leather, cutting, gluing and processing edges. I ordered tools, bought leather, looked for metal details and tried. Eternal hours and many YouTube tutorials later, I held a finished handbag in my hands. Anything but perfect, but: a self-made leather handbag.
What I particularly noticed during this time: Information to expand one's own knowledge is rare. In addition, there are hardly any instructions for beautiful leather bags. Pieces that can be made with the tutorials that are available are not very feminine and have little in common with the designs of great luxury brands.
Of course, traditional leathercraft, like any craft, is not something that everyone can do just like that, and with good reason. For a short time I even thought about an apprenticeship. In my adopted home of Munich and in the surrounding area, however, there has not been a single company in the last three years that has trained fine bag makers. This fact surprised me so much and I found it such a pity that such an admirable profession is almost dying out! I wanted to do my part to ensure that this type of handwork is more appreciated again and that everyone, whether DIY-savvy or not, can dare to tackle such a topic.
The idea for BAGS & PIECES was born
My goal with the DIY boxes: to bring leathercraft closer to interested parties in such a way that no huge investments in tools and materials are necessary, and the implementation is easy and fun.
In my opinion, the result should always be a sense of achievement and a high-quality finish. Homemade is fabulous - but if the bag looks too DIY, it's not a fashion statement.
From the idea to the prototype of the BAGS & PIECES DIY boxes, it took almost a year, including many setbacks, various rescheduling and a few visits to trade fairs and suppliers in Italy.
My biggest challenges were first and foremost the compilation of the required material in small quantities for a handbag, the search for affordable tools and the preparation of the leather so that no machines are needed for finishing at home.
The accessories
When it comes to the leather accessories from BAGS & PIECES, I attach great importance to a design that is timeless and stylish at the same time. If you put your heart and time into it, I think you should end up with something that doesn't go out of fashion after one season. An accessory that you will use with pride for many years.
The processing and longevity play an important role in addition to the optics. Our DIY boxes contain everything you need to make your own leather accessories - i.e. materials, tools and step-by-step instructions.
At the end you hold a stylish one-off in your hands, about which you can confidently say: " I made it myself".
I hope you enjoy the boxes as much as I do - and I wish you lots of fun getting creative and then making your BAGS & PIECES leather accessories!
Founder of BAGS & PIECES
PS: If you want, you can share your personal unique piece with me on Instagram and link it with #bagsandpieces . I look forward to every post like a little child celebrating its birthday - and I don't think anything will ever change about that.