I agree that all bespoke work is not cheap. But neither are the top luxury bags — Hermes, Chanel, Dior, Prada, et al. If you are buying these brands, then you can afford bespoke.
Duret and Nitz are at the top price wise, but these makers are located in Paris and Zurich, very high priced cities. Both makers are at the top of their game. The cost for these bags reflects those factors.
I have not worked with Duret, but Nitz’s prices range from about $4K for a Flaxton in leather to $50K for a butterfly bag in Croc.
Lili Storella (Mila Jito) is located in rural New Hampshire. She does not have the years of experience under her belt as Nitz or Duret, but that does not mean her craftsmanship is any less than Duret or Nitz.
Her bags range from $5.5K to ~$15K for croc.
Jetalla Anieu is in Indonesia. And she is a relative newbie. Her bags are remarkably well priced under $3,500 for normal leather bags.
Aesthetically, Nitz is the most refined and imaginative. The butterfly bag, while ultimately not my style, is a masterpiece of design. The Flaxton is similar in design and use as an Hermes Evelyne, BUT improves on all the drawbacks of Evelyne. If anyone wants an extremely wearable and usable bag at a good price point, the Flaxton is the way to go.
Mika Jito’s aesthetic is bold, casual, and perhaps a touch chunky. She has no mini or micro bags. 25mm Mirius or Dearling is as small as she goes. If you haul around stuff or like big bags, Mila Jito’s your creator. Her new Dearling design is jaw dropping. I have a Dearling that will be done next Spring. My Wander bag will deliver around January 1, 2025.
ETA: Mika Jito does have some smaller bags!
Jetalla Aneiu principally works with the trapezoidal shape of a Kelly bag with her Natalya bag. It is way easier to open and close as opposed to an Hermes Kelly. I have a 21cm horizontal version that I got as a going out, hands free bag. It serves its function very well. I have another 25 cm version on order that should deliver in February.
It’s fun to sell my Hermes and replace them with bespoke.
I love working with talented craftspeople and putting my hard earned money in their pocket instead of multinational corporations who could not give a rat’s a** about me.
