Okay, so, you all know I’ve been totally obsessed with the PRADA Re-Edition 2000 bag. It’s such a vibe, you know? But that price tag in the official flagship store? Ouch. My wallet was crying just looking at it. So, I did what any resourceful fashion lover would do – I decided to try and remake it myself!
First things first, I started my research on the official website. I opened the official website. I needed to see what collections they had for bags, clothes, accessories, and more. I checked out all the close-up photos of the original bag. I took notes on the material – looked like nylon, maybe with some leather details. I also tried to see what the inside looked like, the stitching, the zipper, everything. I also tried to read some tips about buying an original one, to know what details are important.
Then, I went on a fabric hunt. I didn’t search for the official store but searched for some local stores. I hit up a bunch of local fabric stores, looking for that perfect, slightly shiny, durable nylon. It took a while, I am telling you some stores didn’t even know what nylon was. But finally, I found something that was pretty darn close. I also grabbed some black leather scraps for the handle and those little triangle logo things.
Next up, the pattern. Now, I’m no sewing expert, but I’m pretty good at figuring things out. I found some basic tote bag patterns online, just normal ones, nothing fancy, and used those as a starting point. I spent hours looking at the official website, measuring and modifying, trying to get the shape and size of the PRADA bag just right. I made a couple of mock-ups with some cheap fabric I had lying around to make sure I got it before cutting into my good nylon. After that, I cut everything out of my nylon and leather.
Then came the actual sewing. I dusted off my old sewing machine – it’s seen better days, haha – and got to work. I started with the main body of the bag, sewing the nylon pieces together. I even managed to add a lining, just like the real one! The zipper was a bit tricky, I had to redo it a couple of times, but I finally got it in there.
The hardest part was definitely the handle and the logo details. I had to hand-stitch those because my machine was not having it. It took forever, my fingers were so sore, but I was determined. I even managed to find a little metal PRADA-ish logo online. It’s not the real deal, obviously, but it adds a nice touch.
The Result
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It’s not an exact replica, but it definitely has that PRADA Re-Edition 2000 vibe.
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The nylon I found is super similar to the original.
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The size and shape are pretty spot on, if I do say so myself.
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The hand-stitched details give it a unique, handmade feel, which I actually love.
All in all, I’m really proud of my little DIY project. It was a lot of work, and there were definitely some frustrating moments, but it was totally worth it. Now I have a bag that looks pretty darn close to the real thing, and I made it myself! Plus, I saved a ton of money. Win-win!
What do you guys think? Should I try making another designer bag? Let me know in the comments!
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