This designer inspired bag is lovingly handcrafted of Italian Vachetta leather in jet black. Roomy enough for the essentials, small enough to transition seamlessly from day to night - it features a gratuitously studded base and unique, thick adjustable shoulder strap. 
 
Constructed from the highest quality, specialty leather from a renowned tannery in Tuscany, Italy. Vachetta leather is a vegetable tanned leather often used by luxury brands (for example Louis Vuitton). The body of the bag is made using 4.5-5oz (1.8-2mm thick) leather, with a metal zip closure and a chunky buckle for attaching the strap at each side, and 36 bag 'feet' lining the bottom for an eye-catching look.
 
The adjustable strap is 1.5" wide and roughly 50" in length, made using 5-6oz (2-2.4mm thick) high quality Latigo leather. *Latigo is a vegetable tanned leather that is then permeated with oil and wax - giving it a more supple handfeel. Known for it's exceptional durability, it develops beautiful patina -deepening in color over time, while also being easy to care for and has a comfortable, broken in feel from the start. Strap is very adjustable to allow you to wear this piece as a shoulder bag worn high or low, as a cross-body bag - you can also wear this strap longer on one side for a unique asymmetrical style.
 
This piece is completely hand-stitched, providing sturdy, durable construction and flawless stitching. 
 
Shown with silver hardware, this piece is also available with gold or black hardware upon request (see last photos) - just add a note in the space provided when adding to cart.
 
This mid-size bag is the perfect size, at 7.5" in length, 6.5" high, and 3" deep.
 
Inspired by the Ricco Small Bag, from Alexander Wang, which retails for $850 (and is currently sold out). I offer select designer inspired pieces alongside my original designs, to make these pieces more accessible. Get the look for a fraction of the price - along with personalized, exceptional customer service from the leather crafter who made it!                                                                                             
 
I accept custom orders and special requests; want this in a different color or have some small changes in mind? I'm all ears! Send inquiries or preferences prior to placing your order, to hello@culteducuir.com. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions!
 
These are made to order - please see site banner for current production time; quantities may be limited due to availability of the leather used. I will ship immediately after production via USPS Priority mail (2-3 day delivery time).
 
I do offer international shipping on this piece; however, my website is only configured to sell within the US. Please inquire for a shipping quote (I subtract the shipping price for the US from the amount; I only ask that you pay the difference for international shipping, which has typically been a small amount).
 
For information on caring for and maintaining Vachetta leather, check out this post for tips and product recommendations!
 
 
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**Additional information for those interested**
 
What makes Vegetable Tanned Leather the highest quality and most sought after?
Vegetable tanning is the O.G. tanning method - going back to when people first started tanning leather using tannins extracted from tree bark to treat and preserve hides. It's downside is how time consuming it is, which is why we've developed accelerated tanning methods which reduce time, and so costs, of tanning leather. Most of these new methods use harsh chemicals, but reduces the tanning time drastically. For example, chrome tanning with modern machinery can reduce the tanning process to just a day - while vegetable tanning is a meticulous process that takes 2-3 months.
 
But there is a cost down the line, including for the consumer, by accelerating this process. From exposing workers to harsh chemicals, and heavily polluting the environment with the chemical laden waste water, to an inferior finished product. Chrome tanned leather doesn't have the same durability, surface character, or even smell, as vegetable tanned leather. No tanning method can match the leather produced with vegetable tanning: it offers the most durability and longevity (this leather will last for decades with proper care), it breaks in and improves over time, developing patina, deepening the color of the leather with use. It's also the most environmentally friendly method of tanning - utilizing all natural materials from which tannins are extracted, instead of harsh chemicals.
 
I don't work with chrome tanned leather, because the quality just isn't there. Much of my work is offered in oil tanned leather, which is a hybrid tanning method that is finished off by soaking the leather in vegetable oils, producing a high quality and incredibly supple leather that's great for harnesses especially, due to it's already 'broken in' soft hand feel. While my oil tanned leather is sourced from ethical and eco-consciously operated tanneries located in highly regulated European tanneries, my goal is to transition to using more vegetable tanned leather in the shop for a more environmentally friendly, sustainability focused business.
 
For now, I will continue to offer high quallity oil tanned leather, as it is more affordable and allows me to make my work more accessible. But you'll see more and more vegetable tanned leather pieces being added to the shop, not only to achieve environmental goals as a business, but to provide the highest quality and longest lasting pieces to my clients.
 
For additional information on Vachetta Leather, check out this post!