I’ve been wanting a new purse for a while. I am tired of “designer bags”–their price tags and their logos. And although I am liking the new small bag trend, I need room for a diaper or two, some toys, and gummy bears. After not finding what I wanted in the shops, I decided to try and “make” my own low-profile tote–it has been a while since I’ve made something for myself.
So I headed over to São Paulo’s leather neighborhood: Brás. The smell of all those hides was intoxicating and it was hard for me to leave with one pelt. But I opted for the simplest I could find, a raw untreated leather that would soften and age with time.
Execution was a bit more labor intensive. I remembered a small shop on Avenida Santa Amaro that I passed whenever I was heading to buy cookware at the infamous Dragonetti. And although I wouldn’t buy anything in the boutique, I remembered seeing a sign saying that they could make any purse you like. Once I met the Italian immigrant owner, Gino, I was, indeed, convinced that he was willing to make any style I wanted. And after much explaining that I didn’t like shiny nor fancy (hard for him to understand) and several images of random bags from the internet, he understood the bag I was after. He made several muslin samples for approval (patient guy). Pleased, I ended up making two versions. I’ll give the linen bag to my mother-in-law for her birthday.
And although I am very far from a career in handbags, I am happily toting around my new satchel and looking forward to the raw leather looking worn. I am certain it will be prettier with age. And I love that it doesn’t have a single logo.
Sources:
Nino Couros for leather
Marina Maresca: 3845 – 7999 (ask for Gino)
14 de novembro de 2010, às 06:38
Tammy, você ia se divertir em Xangai… aqui eu mando fazer tudo, até sapato!
19 de novembro de 2011, às 09:42
Estou impressionado de ler uma história tão poderosa sobre LEATHER GOODS | minas de ouro. Vou postar um link no meu site cupom para este blog . Eu estarei de volta para ler mais.