Peter Nitz Libby Bag Review: Is It Worth Your €1,300?

The packaging was stunning — his signature terracotta box with a marbled texture, neatly presented with two dust bags, including a tiny one for the mini charm. The moment I opened the box, the smell of leather filled the room — a rare, intoxicating scent that only top-quality leather gives off.

Inside was the Mini Libby bag in Arosa calf leather. From the very first touch, I knew this was special. The texture was buttery-soft yet structured — that perfect balance that only a carefully tanned calf leather can achieve. The handle’s shape and firmness hinted at a vegetable retannage that gives the leather more temper and structure.

The design is simple yet refined, featuring overlapping side stitching and inward-turned seams that provide subtle form and stability. The proportions are adorable — compact but balanced. From a design standpoint, I’d give it a 4 out of 5. Clean, minimal, and deceptively simple — which often means a lot of work behind the scenes.

Examining the bag closely, I found a blend of hand and machine stitching. The side attachments appear to be saddle-stitched by hand, while the main body is neatly sewn by machine. What impressed me most was the leather reinforcement on the back of the machine stitches — a thoughtful touch that enhances durability and gives a polished look.

The charm — a miniature version of the Libby — was a delightful surprise, adding character and charm to the piece. Inside, the bag maintains a minimal structure with carefully chosen reinforcement points to preserve the silhouette. Every stitch end is edge-painted for a clean finish.

This is Romanian craftsmanship at its finest. It’s actually my second encounter with bags made in Romania, and once again, I’m impressed by the precision and quality. I might just need to visit Romania next to explore their growing reputation for leatherwork.

For craftsmanship, a solid 5 out of 5.

When it comes to structure, the Mini Libby strikes a delicate balance between softness and form. The handles and base provide just enough reinforcement to keep the silhouette upright, while the rest of the body remains supple and tactile. This is achieved through smart craftsmanship — the side stitching supports the desired shape, and all edges are cleanly painted for polish and longevity.

It’s a minimalist structure done right — not overly engineered, but still thoughtfully designed to hold its charm and proportions. While it’s not the most complex construction I’ve seen, it’s elegant in its restraint.

Structure score: 4 out of 5.

Now, let’s talk about what makes or breaks a luxury bag — the leather. The Arosa calfskin used here is pure aniline, meaning it’s almost untouched, uncorrected, and minimally finished. You can see the natural pores and grain — nothing is covered up.

When I applied acetone to the surface, it absorbed immediately — proof that the leather isn’t coated. This is an extremely expensive and delicate type of leather that requires flawless hides. You don’t mask imperfections here; you celebrate them.

This kind of material is nearly unheard of in mainstream fashion because it’s so hard to work with and demands perfection at every step. For that, the leather easily earns a 4.5 out of 5.

There isn’t a lot of hardware on the Libby bag, but what’s there counts. The swivel hooks attaching the handle are custom-branded and made from stainless steel — and they’re nearly indestructible.

I actually learned everything I know about stainless steel hardware from Peter himself. He connected me to his supplier and shared his knowledge openly, which says a lot about the kind of artisan and person he is.

In my scratch test, even a razor couldn’t damage the coating — that’s the mark of truly premium hardware. For that, hardware gets a 5 out of 5.