Michino Paris' Palais Royal Bag: Is It Worth Your €1,100?
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Time to read: 5 min
Today, we have another exciting submission for the Rip My Bag challenge: the Michino Palais Royal bag.
Michino is a Paris-based designer who previously worked with top luxury houses, bringing a wealth of experience and craftsmanship into his own brand. I had the chance to speak with him on a call a few months ago, thanks to a friend-of-a-friend introduction. His submission for the challenge caught my attention, and after reviewing his collection, I found many attractive pieces. I ultimately chose the Palais Royal bag for its top-handle design, although I personally liked another bag from the collection slightly more in terms of overall aesthetic. This bag, however, provides a great insight into the quality and vision Michino Paris is bringing into the leather world.
DISCLAIMER: The “Rip My Bag Challenge” is a review series that tests leather products’ quality, price, and craftsmanship. While the brand supports the challenge financially, my opinions stay fair, unbiased, and truthful. Products featured are purchased anonymously without brand involvement. Brands have no control over content, publishing dates, or the review process.
In this blog, we will answer the following questions:
Does the Michino Paris' Palais Royal bag justify its €1,100 price through design, materials, and craftsmanship?
How well do the bag’s structure, internal engineering, and hardware support long-term durability?
Is Michino Paris' Paris offering better value than traditional luxury houses at similar or higher price points?
What's Inside?
Design: Minimal Yet Ingenious Craftsmanship and Structure: Precision in Every Detail Construction Details and Craftsmanship Leather: French Taurillon Excellence Hardware: Elegantly Customized Cost Analysis: Is €1,100 Justified? Final Thoughts: Worth Exploring the Michino Collection Want to read more? Frequently Asked Questions About Tanner
Design: Minimal Yet Ingenious
At first glance, the bag immediately impressed me. The way the handle is attached—emerging from the side of a hinged flap—is clever and visually striking. Minimal hardware is used, but every piece feels purposeful and well-placed. For these reasons, the design earns a 4.5 out of 5. The elegance and thoughtfulness of the design showcase both creativity and functionality, making it stand out in a market crowded with top-handle bags.
Craftsmanship and Structure: Precision in Every Detail
Opening the bag revealed masterful craftsmanship. The closure, made in Italy, meets the high standards you would expect from a “Made in Italy” label. Threading is clean and precise, with all endings carefully finished. Every internal element demonstrates meticulous attention to detail, from the seams to the internal supports. For this reason, craftsmanship also scores a 4.5 out of 5.
One feature that particularly impressed me is the internal weight-bearing structure. The non-stretch Tallinn material reinforces points where the straps attach, preventing damage or deformation over time. A small metal bar acts as a column to support the structure, showing the designer’s careful thought process. This level of internal engineering earns a perfect 5 out of 5, reflecting the bag’s durability and design intelligence.
@tanner.leatherstein Is the Michino Palais Royal really worth €1,090, or does it just look the part? Visit them at @michinoparis DISCLAIMER: The “Rip My Bag Challenge” is a review series that tests leather products’ quality, price, and craftsmanship. While the brand supports the challenge financially, my opinions stay fair, unbiased, and truthful. Products featured are purchased anonymously without brand involvement. Brands have no control over content, publishing dates, or the review process. #michino #michinoparis #paris #rmbc #leatherbag #bagreview #leatherbrand #tiktokfashion #tannerleatherstein ♬ original sound - Tanner Leatherstein
Construction Details and Craftsmanship
A standout feature of this sneaker is the incorporation of vegetable-tanned leather between the foot and the rubber sole. This layer serves a functional purpose beyond aesthetics, as vegetable tannins are naturally antibacterial and help prevent odor caused by sweat. The internal stitching and assembly are exceptionally clean, demonstrating strong craftsmanship. From inside out, the sneaker is meticulously stitched and finished, reflecting a level of attention to detail that justifies a craftsmanship rating of 4 out of 5.
Leather: French Taurillon Excellence
The bag’s leather also stood out. Described as French Taurillon, the leather has a light finish that preserves its natural texture while offering protection. An acetone test confirmed the leather quality—there is a finish, but it is not masking the hide. The hand feel, touch, and visual appeal all speak to the use of premium cowhide. Overall, the leather scores a 4.5 out of 5.
Hardware: Elegantly Customized
Hardware on the bag is equally impressive. The gold-toned elements are plated on brass and appear robust and luxurious. Every piece feels customized and thoughtfully applied, giving the bag an elevated finish. The hardware deserves a 4.5 out of 5 score.
Cost Analysis: Is €1,100 Justified?
From experience, the materials and production of this bag are quite transparent. The bag uses roughly seven square feet of French Taurillon leather, which would cost around €60. Hardware and assembly in Italy might add €120, giving a total estimated production cost of €180.
On Michino Paris' website, the bag is priced at €1,090 including VAT, yielding a price multiplier of about 4.8–4.9x. Considering the quality of materials, craftsmanship, internal engineering, and design, this falls comfortably within the acceptable top range of 3x–5x for high-end leather goods. In comparison, a similar bag from a luxury brand could easily cost €2,500–€5,000, making the Palais Royal a strong value proposition.
| Criteria | Score | Results |
| Leather | 4.5 |
Good leathers for the application in hand. Coming from environmentally conscious tanneries |
| Hardware | 4.5 |
Common alloy or brass hardware with high-quality plating and thin protection that will last a good while. |
| Design | 4.5 |
A creative take on a classical design concept |
| Engineering | 5 |
Highly organized, sophisticated shape and form engineering with high-quality materials inside the craft. |
| Craftsmanship | 4.5 |
Perfect machine stitching with excellent edge finishing. Immaculate inside and out, with no visible flaws, showing a commitment to quality. |
| OVERALL SCORE | 4.6 |
Very good example of great quality for a great price without any risk to try |
|
PRICE/COST MULTIPLIER |
4.9x | Fair Value for quality with a brand premium. |
Final Thoughts: Worth Exploring the Michino Collection
Overall, the Michino Paris' Palais Royal bag is a remarkable example of high-quality design, craftsmanship, and material integrity. From the leather to the hardware, every detail reflects thoughtful design and engineering. This bag has piqued my curiosity about the rest of Michino’s collection, and I’m tempted to reach out personally to congratulate him and explore what else he’s bringing into the leather world.
I hope this dissection gave you insight into the value and quality behind Michino Paris' creation. As always, feel free to suggest which brand we should examine next. Until then, stay leathertained!
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About Tanner
Tanner Leatherstein
Known as the "butcher of leather bags," Tanner has amassed over 2 million followers and 301 million views, with features in outlets like The New York Times and Financial Times. PEGAI, Tanner's brand, embodies his passion for crafting premium leather goods with unmatched authenticity and precision.
