Presenting the HISBAG – A custom reveal...

[jomirod]

Thanks everyone! This is primarily an exercise in bending a product to work for you, and not the other way round. What excites me here is that this relatively simple "hacking" of an already quality product, with minimum fuss, has resulted in something that is infinitely adaptable, modular, as long as Ulysse's are still around, with a theoretical lifespan just as long as a "real" Hermès item.

Fantastic! Dear, will you be taking orders?

If only I had the time, you'd be my first customer

very interesting idea, but isn't the strap a tad too short? or it's adjustable? even better.....

Completely adjustable with minimum of fuss. More or less everything has been considered, down to the fact that the hardware pivots where it connects to the bag, so the shoulder strap can extend from the bag at any angle without stressing the attachment point

Resourceful, luv these DIY projects
Did you line this?

Oooo, Now just find me a barenia GM, I can sew this and use my kelly strap

No, no, unlined. For me, the beauty of the Ulysse is also in the unfinished reverse, with it's beautiful soft feel and colour. I'm a fan of unlined bags so I kept it as is, with minimum fuss about it (and just a light spray of suede protector).

And a Kelly strap was my original idea, ideally a black amazone strap, buy I couldn't find on on eBay or via resellers, so I went with this simpler solution. I like the way the Tooloop hardware reads as a "H" at the front of the bag. Surely as "H"-spirited as a home-made bag will ever get. Down to the waxed linen thread, and hand-sewn ends.

Love the multiple rainbow colors you can interchange!

Did you consider the old Dogon TGM that can be found on secondary market as an alternative as well! It has built in pockets/dividers already and would make a wonderful bag like yours with some brilliant redesign!

Great idea! I struck with the Ulysse solution as they're an Hermès standard, so I can just pick up a fresh colour in-store when I'm tired of what I have. Suddenly I have a H bag that doesn't feel too precious, and is that little bit more casual than a "legit" bag - which works perfect for me

Seriously. I think Hermes NEED to hire you. you'd take their creativity and ideas to new heights. I love what you have taken and how you've transformed it to something practical for your needs. And it's awfully stylish too.

Thank you Jadeite, and I agree with you! Also, I'm a touch ashamed to report that a little piece of contrast-stitch Etoupe Chèvre (from the Tooloop) died a second time for the greater good, here. But don't fret, it's being reincarnated as a luxe zipper tab

 

[Dhalia]

Wow! I love it!

 

[fashionistaO]

Best part of H, thought of turning this into a jewelry roll I think I will tackle this over the weekend

Gives me a reason to go to H again

Thanks everyone! This is primarily an exercise in bending a product to work for you, and not the other way round.

 

[jomirod]

Best part of H, thought of turning this into a jewelry roll I think I will tackle this over the weekend

Gives me a reason to go to H again

I'd thought of that too, and I think it'd work beautifully. Simply take it to a decent leather service place and ask them to punch a "male" snap back at the right position under the tab button. You could even go so far as creating a pouch with two, three snaps to sit inside for smaller jewelry pieces.

Do it and report back!

 

[fashionistaO]

Yes, will need snap-on removable pouches!
Been musing to create something for transporting CDCs, clic clacs!
And the suede interior can act as auto/instant buffing for the metal parts too
I won't need a polishing cloth all the time lol

I'd thought of that too, and I think it'd work beautifully. Simply take it to a decent leather service place and ask them to punch a "male" snap back at the right position under the tab button. You could even go so far as creating a pouch with two, three snaps to sit inside for smaller jewelry pieces.

Do it and report back!

 

[Hermes Only]

I think it's FABULOUS!! ... Bravo.. I LOVE IT!!

 

[etoupebirkin]

Love this!!! It's so clever. I love that it's modular. I wish Hermes had more cross body options. I agree with the others, H should hire you!!

 

[fendibbag]

I absolutely love it!! I think Hermes should hire you in their product development department, such a wonderful idea and I would definitely buy it in stores!! Keep them coming !!!

 

[nycaesthete]

First, some background: I'm a daily bicycle commuter, and general casual cyclist, and a few weeks ago I decided it was high time that I find the right bag to bike with, because a backpack wasn't the right fit for my needs. I looked at LOTS of options. Nothing on the market, in the flesh, nor online worked for me because they're either too large and unwieldy, or oddly-shaped and "urban utalitarian" with fluoro zipper pulls and whatnot. All I need is a sleeve of a thing to hold my flat wallet, phone, earphones, my notebook (A Ulysse PM), a few sheets of paper and my iPad on occasion. I want a very nice, simple bike bag. Unfortunately Hermes doesn't make such a thing, and if they did, it'd be 4k minimum, guaranteed. But they don't, so I decided I'd make exactly what I wanted myself.

What got me thinking originally was a moment a few years ago when I gave my mum a Ulysse PM as a gift, and she exclaimed that she's like to wear it as a little bag, placing it on her hip.

Aha!

So, the "ingredients" are as as follows:

• A Ulysse GM. Here in practical, all-season Etain.
•A Tooloop two-ended keyring. Crucial. I was only prepared to go through with this customisation if I could source matching Hermes hardware. I looked at a variety of keyring styles online, but this has turned out to be the perfect fit, and you'll see why below.
•A black nylon/synthetic strap that would work with the hardware, and be of a quality enough to team up with Hermes leather. Again, I looked absolutely everywhere, including having just the strap custom-made, but then I realised I had the perfect thing in a Prada belt that never really functioned as a belt should. Repurposing is the name of the game!
• A leather alteration/repair service that would be able to put it all together, AND give this project the attention to detail that altering Hermes items deserves. I found it in a fantastic leather man here in Sydney.

So, here we go. I've christened my perfect everyday bag (and I have been using it everyday. It is perfect) the Hisbag. "His" as in mine, not hers.

THE MISSING LINK – Shown here is where the shoulder strap and fixed hardware meet the bag via the permanently attached strap and loop. I chose a sturdy black patent leather the leather man recommended, to contrast against the body and match the shoulder strap. Trying to find a match to Etain togo would have been impossible, and somehow much more sacrilegious than going for a sporty/synthetic-looking black.

I WANT A DIVORCE – The shoulder strap is removable thanks to the clever Tooloop hardware. Rest in peace, little keychain. It's also adjustable (shown at bottom at shortest) and can be lengthened by another 20cm so it can be worn as a regular messenger bag cross-body or over one shoulder. No extra pieces are needed, as the Tooloop hardware's buckle style holds the strap tight.

DETACHMENT – The shoulder strap and strap and loop side-by-side.

THE HANDHELD – The bag body can be used as a hand-held sleeve/case/clutch when shoulder strap is removed. Note that it's stitched shut in an L-shape, preventing things from sliding out, and providing just enough resistance for my iPad to ease it's way in. It's essentially an open-top bag, but because it sits close to the body, and what I carry is very flat, it always stays shut.

SMOOSHY ENOUGH FOR YOU? – Ahhhhhh. Unfilled, the bag is as smooshy and bouncy as togo gets. I've used an amazing material called Sugru to cover the backside of the button/snaps inside the bag. So there is no fear of these buttons scratching phones, iPads etc.

EASY PEASEY! – With a Ulysse PM, phone, wallet, earphones. The bag fills out a little more, but still sits nice and close to my back when wearing it. It sits at the small of the back, and behaves like a good bike bag should (ie. it doesn't budge)

YOU'RE SO VEIN – Ta-da! Here he is holding an iPad, phone, wallet and one of my standard A5 flat notebooks. Super slick, no fuss. I'm more than happy.

AND, the best bit. Because the strap is removable, this is essentially a modular bag, much like the Herbag. My SA knows to alert me of just the right colours in the Ulysse GM, but he doesn't know that I won't be writing in them

ROUGE H FOR THE REGAL

BLEU HYDRA FOR THE BRAVE

And a modelling picture, why not.

Bravo! This is awesome.

 

[mario.af]

Wow! I love it!

 

[nats]

That is so very cool. I love it

 

[seahorseinstripes]

oh LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! just look at that veiny leather "drool"

 

[mp4]

necessity is the mother of invention! so glad you found your solution!

 

[noonoo07]

Love this!! Congratulations!!

 

[r.b_boi]

Omg! I love love love this! They need to expand their mens accessories and bags anyway, who knows maybe they'll get wind if this and make something similar. I'll bookmark this as it woukd be perfect when I move to new york and just need the bare essentials.