DIY Studded Handbag Inspired by Alexander Wang's "Rocco" with Hardware

Hi Guys!

I'm super excited about this DIY today!  Mainly bc I'm really proud of myself, sorta.  lol.  Anyway, maybe you've seen this Alexander Wang "Rocco"with Hardware handbag hanging inside of some window displays.  The handbag has been around for some time now but I recently did see it at a local Neiman Marcus and thought ooh (plus it was a good reminder from when I first saw it a year or so ago)!  So naturally, that turned into a moment for me of maybe I could make something like that, or try at least.



Here's the Alexander Wang Rocco with Hardware Handbag $875.00USD Can be purchased through this link:  http://www.alexanderwang.com/shop/accessories/bags/top-handle-bags/203003/rocco-with-pale-gold-hardware It's a Citrus colored one I linked you to, but there are various colors.

Photo Borrowed from PursePage.com

Photo Borrowed from PurseBlog.com

Here's my DIY version:

Another photo showing you how it looks from below.

This project was easier than I thought it would be and although it took a bit of time, I feel it was definitely worth my time :]  I LOVE how it turned out!

Materials Needed:

1. Any purse you currently own and were thinking about tossing out.  I used my Tiganello that's like super duper old that I had in my going out pile.  Guess it's staying now.
2. Studs ordered from StudsAndSpikes http://studsandspikes.com/buy/stud-on-sale-cones-standard-english77-bag-of-100.html $2.75 + $3.29 S&H = $6.04 total (I searched ebay and other retailers and found some better prices on different studs but I specifically like how these look and wanted these English Cone ones and StudsAndSpikes offered the best price.  I used silver colored cones so I might change out the gold hardware on my handbag, but it doesn't bother me to mix up hardware - I know it drives some ppl nutso haha.
3. X-Acto Knife
4. Ruler
5. Scissors
6. Needle Nose Pliers
7. Seam Ripper (Optional, you can pick apart the closure with some pointy tipped scissors then chop away.)
8. Needle & Thread
9. Painter's Tape (Optional) - You can use post-it notes or something else to mark where you'll be studding!
10. Total cost of this project for me = $6.04
11. Time = about an hour

Directions:

Gather your materials! (I forgot to take photos of all the materials, whoopsie.)

Pull out the lining of your handbag and undo the stitched closure.

Then use your ruler & measure where you want to stud.  I measured 4 rows going one way and 11 rows the other.  I used blue painter's tape since it's easy to remove and doesn't cause damage to the handbag.

Then take your cone head (haha - sounds funny) and mark where you'll put your first one.  I started in the corner and went down the 4 rows first.  Before using your X-Acto knife to cut into your handbag, take a cone and press it down where you'll be cutting.  You'll be leaving two indentation marks so you'll know where to slice :]

After making the indentation mark, use your X-Acto knife and cut two small slits (enough for you to put the stud into).  Then put in the stud.  This next step you can either wait to do at the very end or you can do it after you put in your stud.  I chose to wait until the very end so I could do it all at one time.  Depending on what type of material your handbag is, you may need to do it right after or your stud may pop back out.  Basically, you'll open up and look inside the lining.  Take your needle nose pliers and bend the pointed tips outward from the position they're in.  That way, they stay fastened more securely than if you were to point the tips inward.

Be careful when using your X-Acto knife.  Safety first!

This is how your handbag should look like inside when you're done needle nose plier-ing everything ... be patient, this part can wear out your fingers a bit with the turning & bending :] 

I just used some gold thread and a needle and stitched up the lining.

Now it's ready to be used again!  I really hope you enjoyed this DIY!  I love my handbag and now it won't be sitting in the going out pile.  Yay!

Jen