Who creats Custom/ fully bespoke handbags?

[A bottle of Red]

I have read posts about Duret, Peter Nitz, Mika Jito , etc where you can choose your leather choices , lining color and so on; but you're limited to their existing options.

However, is there anyone who custom creates a bag to your exact specifications, the exact size you want in order to fit your items, with exact strap length that fits you best, what width of strap feels best on your specific shoulder and balances the weight perfectly, etc?
For example, I'm short with thin sloped shoulders, so many straps don't sit well on me and a custom strap would be helpful.
Or I might want a mini bag, but the items I regularly carry would not fit in a standard mini , but a fully customized bag can be made to fit my things.

 

[880]

@Christofle might know

 

[Christofle]

I have read posts about Duret, Peter Nitz, Mika Jito , etc where you can choose your leather choices , lining color and so on; but you're limited to their existing options.

However, is there anyone who custom creates a bag to your exact specifications, the exact size you want in order to fit your items, with exact strap length that fits you best, what width of strap feels best on your specific shoulder and balances the weight perfectly, etc?
For example, I'm short with thin sloped shoulders, so many straps don't sit well on me and a custom strap would be helpful.
Or I might want a mini bag, but the items I regularly carry would not fit in a standard mini , but a fully customized bag can be made to fit my things.

99% sure you can do that with Mila Jito (at least she used to). Same for Duret and Nitz, unless they changed but usually artisans love custom projects!

 

[A bottle of Red]

99% sure you can do that with Mila Jito (at least she used to). Same for Duret and Nitz, unless they changed but usually artisans love custom projects!

Oh interesting I hadn't realized just how custom they go. I do notice they prefer no hardware, however I love that on my bags, a beautiful functional clasp is like a bit of jewelry for me ; I'm not sure how amenable they are to that.
Also do they take input onto size/shape/weight of the bags as well?

 

[Christofle]

Oh interesting I hadn't realized just how custom they go. I do notice they prefer no hardware, however I love that on my bags, a beautiful functional clasp is like a bit of jewelry for me ; I'm not sure how amenable they are to that.
Also do they take input onto size/shape/weight of the bags as well?

In the past, Peter had some crazy gem set sterling silver clasps made through a jeweller for him if I recall correctly…

Usually the constraints for bespoke are just time and money 🤣

It’s best to be very specific with what you want because the worst they can say is no for a particular detail. (They also will make recommendations for fit issues like your strap)

 

[earswithfeet]

I have read posts about Duret, Peter Nitz, Mika Jito , etc where you can choose your leather choices , lining color and so on; but you're limited to their existing options.

However, is there anyone who custom creates a bag to your exact specifications, the exact size you want in order to fit your items, with exact strap length that fits you best, what width of strap feels best on your specific shoulder and balances the weight perfectly, etc?
For example, I'm short with thin sloped shoulders, so many straps don't sit well on me and a custom strap would be helpful.
Or I might want a mini bag, but the items I regularly carry would not fit in a standard mini , but a fully customized bag can be made to fit my things.

Marco Massaccesi comes to mind. He's super nice and easy to work with. I'm currently waiting for my first bespoke bag from him. I'm not sure, if there's any leeway on the general sizes of bags they offer, but asking can't hurt. You can definitely choose your preferred leather from their stock, hw color, stitching color, extra strap/no strap, different strap/handle lengths and how the interior of your bag looks (lining color/material, extra pockets, dividers etc).
But going off the other brands you mentioned, his bags may not be "exclusive" enough for you.

 

[A bottle of Red]

Marco Massaccesi comes to mind. He's super nice and easy to work with. I'm currently waiting for my first bespoke bag from him. I'm not sure, if there's any leeway on the general sizes of bags they offer, but asking can't hurt. You can definitely choose your preferred leather from their stock, hw color, stitching color, extra strap/no strap, different strap/handle lengths and how the interior of your bag looks (lining color/material, extra pockets, dividers etc).
But going off the other brands you mentioned, his bags may not be "exclusive" enough for you.

I'm not looking for exclusivity, just better functionality and the specialness of a bag made just for me.
I'm finding that all my bags , as much as I love them, have an issue that gets in the way of being used. Either no top closure, too heavy, a drop too small, straps that slip off my shoulder etc.
So I wondered if there was a way to customize all that.

Eta there's a local leather worker who first mentioned this idea of customization for exact specs but unfortunately he is just starting out and his skills are pretty rudimentary.
But I certainly don't need a big name to create my bag, just someone skilled who can create it.

 

[Christofle]

I'm not looking for exclusivity, just better functionality and the specialness of a bag made just for me.
I'm finding that all my bags , as much as I love them, have an issue that gets in the way of being used. Either no top closure, too heavy, a drop too small, straps that slip off my shoulder etc.
So I wondered if there was a way to customize all that.

Eta there's a local leather worker who first mentioned this idea of customization for exact specs but unfortunately he is just starting out and his skills are pretty rudimentary.
But I certainly don't need a big name to create my bag, just someone skilled who can create it.

I fully understand you! It’s the reason why I’ve gone fully bespoke with my shoes and bags/slgs.

The issue is that term bespoke is thrown around constantly by people who are actually offering made to order. (Modification of an existing pattern)

The very essence of bespoke is the creation of a pattern for a customer… similarly handmade has also lost its meaning over the years.

For your project the main options would be to decide between saddle stitched and machine stitched since both can be applied to a custom pattern. Albeit the traditional route would be saddle stitching for extra durability.

 

[lurketylurk]

If you love beautiful hardware, check out Quyn - https://quyn.vn/en/danh-muc/bespoke-products/for-women/handbags-totes/
I am pretty sure you can customize anything. I haven't personally ordered from him but I follow him on Instagram and he has exquisite work.

 

[Christofle]

If you love beautiful hardware, check out Quyn - https://quyn.vn/en/danh-muc/bespoke-products/for-women/handbags-totes/
I am pretty sure you can customize anything. I haven't personally ordered from him but I follow him on Instagram and he has exquisite work.

His work is beautiful and i recommended him to a TPFer a few years back… he assured her that he would provide the CITES for her Himalayan croc which he ended up dropping the ball on. (Which is a major issue with exotics). Completely soured my perspective on him and I cancelled the sterling silver engraved belt order from him due to the above situation.

 

[A bottle of Red]

His work is beautiful and i recommended him to a TPFer a few years back… he assured her that he would provide the CITES for her Himalayan croc which he ended up dropping the ball on. (Which is a major issue with exotics). Completely soured my perspective on him and I cancelled the sterling silver engraved belt order from him due to the above situation.

Wow I appreciate the information, that's very irresponsible of him

 

[A bottle of Red]

I fully understand you! It’s the reason why I’ve gone fully bespoke with my shoes and bags/slgs.

The issue is that term bespoke is thrown around constantly by people who are actually offering made to order. (Modification of an existing pattern)

The very essence of bespoke is the creation of a pattern for a customer… similarly handmade has also lost its meaning over the years.

For your project the main options would be to decide between saddle stitched and machine stitched since both can be applied to a custom pattern. Albeit the traditional route would be saddle stitching for extra durability.

Right so who can do a completely bespoke bag to my exact specifications of size, weight, compartments inside, strap width and length, the kind of clasp I want, etc?

 

[Christofle]

Right so who can do a completely bespoke bag to my exact specifications of size, weight, compartments inside, strap width and length, the kind of clasp I want, etc?

I would reach out to the above people and see what they say. (They answer super quickly and are very passionate about their craft)

(The clasp is the only characteristic which is a bit tougher but I’m sure still doable considering Peter’s past bags and the fact that Mila is using custom hardware for her bags rather than prefab ones)

 

[Christofle]

Right so who can do a completely bespoke bag to my exact specifications of size, weight, compartments inside, strap width and length, the kind of clasp I want, etc?

Mila Jito said it’s tough for a single client’s order since her manufacturer usually requires an order of 200 units for a new design. (Hardware custom)

 

[A bottle of Red]

Mila Jito said it’s tough for a single client’s order since her manufacturer usually requires an order of 200 units for a new design. (Hardware custom)

Ah thank you