Atelier Pegai: A New Era of Leather, Starting With the Flora Tote

What I found was both surprising and predictable. Most of the bags I cut open were just expensive—nothing special. They had nice materials, sure, but nothing that truly justified their astronomical price tags. In many cases, the premium cost came from the brand name, a shiny logo, and the illusion of exclusivity rather than superior craftsmanship.

But among the many bags I opened, a few stood out as truly exceptional. These were the ones that, even as someone who doesn’t care about flashy branding, I would gladly pay thousands for—not for the name, but for the experience of the leather and craftsmanship. These rare finds were the real deal, demonstrating a level of artistry that made them worth every penny.

Through my research and dissections, I became obsessed with two standout leathers that represented the pinnacle of luxury. The first was Togo, the legendary shrunken calf leather from Germany, renowned for its distinctive pebbled texture and incredible durability. The second was Silk-Elba, a smooth, refined calfskin from a tannery near Barcelona that struck the perfect balance between softness and structure.

As a tanner myself, I know just how difficult it is to achieve the ideal blend of natural beauty and expert finishing. These two leathers do it flawlessly, making them some of the finest materials available in the luxury world. However, their rarity and quality also meant they came with an extremely high cost. 

One of the most common requests I get from my audience is to create exceptional leather goods at a fair price—something that offers the same quality as top-tier luxury brands without the insane markup. So, I started thinking:  could I design a bag using these world-class materials while keeping it reasonably priced? 

The challenge quickly became clear. Even with my lowest pricing multiplier of 3x, I couldn’t bring the price below $500. These leathers are among the most expensive in the world, and high-end bags often include hidden internal engineering — reinforcements, layers of structure, and precision craftsmanship — that significantly add to their cost. If I wanted to make this idea work, I needed a new approach.

Then, I had a breakthrough. Instead of using traditional construction methods with heavy internal reinforcements, I decided to let the leather’s natural temper create its own structure. By relying on the inherent qualities of these luxurious materials instead of additional stiffeners, I could maintain the integrity of the bag while significantly reducing costs.

And that’s how the Flora Bag was born.

The first prototype exceeded my expectations. Made with Togo and Silk-Elba, it had an organic, natural shape that showcased the beauty of the leather without unnecessary bulk. It was soft yet structured, luxurious yet practical. It felt like the perfect balance between high-end craftsmanship and everyday usability.

For those who love to geek out over materials (like I do), here’s the full breakdown of what went into making the Flora Bag. 

• The Togo leather I used cost €135 per square meter, making it one of the most expensive calfskins I’ve ever worked with. 
• The Silk Elba leather was slightly more affordable at €88 per square meter, while a high-quality semi-aniline calfskin alternative, which doesn’t come from a famous tannery, cost around €35 per square meter. 

I believe in full transparency, so I shared the entire pricing breakdown on my website. Unlike many luxury brands that keep their costs hidden behind a veil of mystery, I wanted people to understand exactly what they were paying for and why these materials were so special.

The Flora Bag is now available on Atelier Pegai, a spin-off of my PEGAI brand, where I focus on specialty leathers crafted into simple, accessible designs. This first release is a limited batch, but if there’s enough demand, I can quickly produce more in Ubrique, the heart of Spanish leather craftsmanship.

To thank my early supporters, I’m offering 20% off for those who preorder, making it an even better deal for those who appreciate high-quality leather goods.

This entire journey — from dissecting luxury bags to crafting my own — has been an incredible learning experience. Now, I’d love to hear from you. Would you like to see more experiments like this? Does the idea of a luxury-quality bag at a fair price excite you? Let me know what you think, and if you’re interested, go check out the Flora Leather Tote  today!