Okay, so, I’ve been wanting to remake a YSL bag for a while now, you know, the JUNE BOX BAG they sell at specialty stores. It’s a classic, and I thought, “Why not try to make one myself?” So, I did, and let me tell you, it was a journey!
First off, I spent a good chunk of time just staring at pictures of the bag online. I needed to get every little detail right. The way the leather looks, the stitching, the hardware, everything. I even watched some videos of people unboxing their YSL bags to see how they’re put together. It’s the small stuff that makes a difference, you know?
Next, I had to find the right materials. This was tricky because I wanted it to look and feel like a real YSL bag, but I also didn’t want to spend a fortune. I ended up going to a few different leather shops and feeling the different types of leather until I found one that felt just right. It’s soft but also sturdy, just like the real deal. I also needed to find some good quality hardware, like the clasps and the chain. I found some online that looked pretty close to the original.
Sourcing the YSL Cassandre Logo
The famous YSL Cassandre logo was probably the most important part. Some folks think YSL and Saint Laurent are different. But guess what? They are not! I learned that this logo is a pivoting closure, not a magnetic or snap button mechanism. And get this, this logo style is only on their Ready-To-Wear stuff from Spring/Summer 2013 onwards. I searched high and low and finally found a place that sold replicas. They were not perfect, but they were the best option I could find.
Putting it All Together
Once I had all the materials, it was time to start making the bag. I’m not going to lie; it was a lot of trial and error. I’ve done some sewing projects before, but this was definitely the most challenging one yet.
- Cutting the leather was the first step, and I was so nervous about messing it up. I used a pattern that I drew myself based on the measurements of the real bag.
- Then came the stitching. This part took forever. I wanted the stitches to be super neat and even, just like on the real bag. I probably ripped out and redid the stitching a hundred times before I was happy with it.
- The hardest part was probably attaching the hardware. I had to be extra careful not to scratch the leather or the metal.
After many late nights and a few (okay, maybe more than a few) frustrated moments, I finally finished the bag. And you know what? It turned out pretty darn good! It’s not exactly like the real YSL JUNE BOX BAG, but it’s pretty close. I’m really proud of how it turned out, and I’ve been using it all the time. It’s a great conversation starter, too. People are always asking me where I got it, and they’re always surprised when I tell them I made it myself.
So, yeah, that’s the story of how I remade a YSL JUNE BOX BAG. It was a lot of work, but it was definitely worth it. I learned a lot about leatherworking and sewing, and I ended up with a beautiful bag that I’ll cherish for years to come. If you’re thinking about trying something like this, I say go for it! Just be prepared to put in the time and effort, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes along the way. That’s how you learn, right?
Click to consult