BIA
TOTE BAG
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Type: SCHOLA Project
Year: 2024
Role: Designer & Leather Artisan
The Bia tote bag is a modern take on the classic throw-all tote—practical, versatile, and effortlessly chic. Designed for everyday ease, this bag elevates a timeless silhouette with sleek lines and a contemporary buckle detail.
DESIGN CONCEPT
Inspiration: Elevated classic tote with a twist.
Key Elements:
- Spacious, throw-all structure.
-
Sleek modern buckle detail.
-
Timeless, minimal design.
The goal was to create a practical day-to-day bag with a contemporary, refined touch.
TECHNIQUES AND MATERIALS
Materials:
-
Smooth cowhide leather
-
Faux leather lining (Microfibre)
-
Seta (fabric pocket lining)
-
Salpa 3.0mm, 4.0mm
-
Microfibra 1.7mm
-
Talyn
-
TNT
-
Zipper
-
Bag feet (studs) – 5 pcs
-
Eyelets
-
Swivel hook
-
Reinforcement tape
-
Edge paint
Techniques used:
-
Edge painting – Strap and belt
-
Piping
-
Lapped seam
-
Hand stitching
-
Machine stitching
-
Hand pattern making
-
Hand pattern cutting
INITIAL SKETCH
Challenge
Panel side seams. Initially, the design was a turned-edge finish. However, with the stiff and dehydrated leather, it was impossible to execute.
Solution
Implementing a lapped seam to connect the front and back panels, using an extra piece of leather to imitate a French seam.
​
​
Challenge
Miscalculation with leather panels, causing the exterior panels and interior lining to be misaligned.
Solution
Recalculate and adjust the lining panel measurements to match the external panels’ measurements.
​
​
Challenge
Attaching the strap to the bag was difficult, as the combined thickness of the bag’s body and the leather strap made it too bulky for machine stitching.
Solution
The straps were carefully hand-stitched to the body of the bag to ensure a secure and clean finish.
PROTOTYPE
PROCESS GALLERY
