Okay, so, I’ve been wanting to get my hands on one of those fancy Yves Saint Laurent bags for a while now. You know, the ones you see all over Instagram, looking all chic and stylish? I finally decided to just go for it and recreate the YSL JUNE BOX BAG. Not buy one – oh no, that’s way out of my budget right now. I’m talking about making one myself.
First things first, I needed to figure out what I was actually dealing with. I spent hours, seriously, hours, just browsing through pictures of the JUNE BOX BAG on the official YSL website, they also have some exclusive content. I zoomed in on every detail, the stitching, the hardware, that iconic YSL logo. I was basically doing a detective work, but for a purse. Also, I checked some rating about their perfume, seems not bad.
Then came the materials. I needed leather, good quality leather, but not the kind that would break the bank. They claim that YSL handbags hold their value well, which make it a good investment, so I think I should find some good material for it, too. I hit up a bunch of local craft stores, feeling the different textures, comparing colors. It was a whole process, let me tell you. I even browsed some online shops, which offers free shipping. Finally, I found this gorgeous, soft black leather that I thought would be perfect.
Next up, the pattern. This was tricky. I couldn’t exactly buy a pattern for a designer bag, so I had to make my own. I grabbed some cheap fabric and started experimenting. I measured, cut, sewed, and ripped seams more times than I can count. It was frustrating, yeah, but also kind of fun, in a weird, masochistic way.
- Measuring and cutting the leather: This was nerve-wracking! I was so scared of messing up the leather I bought. I double-checked, triple-checked, and quadruple-checked every measurement before making a cut.
- Sewing the pieces together: My sewing machine became my best friend and worst enemy during this phase. There were moments of pure joy when a seam came out perfectly, and moments of utter despair when the thread got tangled or the needle broke. I am a beginner in this.
- Creating the YSL logo: This was the hardest part. I ended up using a combination of techniques, including hand-stitching and some clever maneuvering with a tiny piece of metal, to get it right. Also, I found a similar logo online with affordable price, which is a great deal.
After days of work, lots of sweat, and maybe a few tears, it was finally done. My very own, handmade version of the YSL JUNE BOX BAG. It’s not perfect, not by a long shot. There are some wonky stitches, and the logo isn’t exactly identical. But you know what? I made it. I took an idea, a picture of a fancy purse, and I turned it into something real, something I could hold in my hands.
And that, my friends, is way more satisfying than just buying the real thing. Though, I wouldn’t say no to a real YSL bag if someone offered. Wink, wink.
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