Just spend some time soaking in the beauty of the work on this bag. Just scroll down through all the photographs bearing in mind that only something of impeccable quality can bear the scrutiny of a high-powered camera lens. It is no secret that I admire the work being done at Chiaroscuro Bags by Smriti Sain. Gorgeous, one-of-a-kind leather bags after a year of research with her lead craftsperson at her workshop. Smriti has studied design and worked at an Italian leather brand before she came back to India and set up her work space and started retailing these beauties.
The bag featured here is the Raisin Gigi and I fell in love with it the moment I laid eyes on it on the Chiaroscuro website ( the website itself is a well-done piece of work and you can buy the bags on the website as well – I’ve lost count of the number of great quality, niche brands I’ve seen over the last twelve months and almost none of them even have a website let alone a store on the website – this is a massive lost opportunity especially if you have products that can be photographed ).
I’ve seen so many leather products over my lifetime, the first thing I notice is how many scraps of leather have been stitched together on the straps – it is an instant dismissal of quality – which is why I have been thrilled to see that Chiaroscuro bags’ straps are one solid piece of leather, which makes the bag durable, apart from more beautiful.
I love the simplicity of this bag as well as its fat bottom. The pockets and a different style of the strap. I removed the middle portion of the strap and locked together the hooks into the metal clips and carried it around in my hand as well – not the most elegant solution but can be done if you’re into that sort of thing. I prefer the longest setting on the strap and wearing the bag cross-body. It is currently my go-to bag regardless of whether I’m going in for a formal client meeting or relaxing with friends – the Burnt Sienna Scottie is also one of my favourites, which I prefer to carry when I also want to carry my Nikon D810 with the 85mm 1.4 lens on it.
Hand-crafted, single artisan made, one-of-a-kind leather bags #MadeInIndia It’s no wonder they’re mostly out of stock! Don’t forget to get your bag monogrammed too – especially if you’re buying one as a gift for someone this season.
Thank you Jahangir Ansari for putting together such an impeccable beauty!
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