Introduction: Leather Bags in Nepal
Leather bags in Nepal have taken the market and have set their place in the country's economy and culture. It has passed down from generation to generation and has grown into a huge market that produces different types of products. Leather bags are so popular these days within different age groups because of a number of factors. It is strong and durable, and can’t be easily broken. Likewise, it is water resistant, so won't be in trouble saving your belongings from the rain. Nowadays, people see leather as a fashion and it matches with every outfit. If you are planning to purchase a leather bag then make sure you check the quality. Moreover, proper care for your leather bag is needed as it will last for many years.
Different Types of Leather Bags Available
Entering into the leather bag category in Nepal, has a number of different products that match each customer's preferences. Each bag is unique to one another, so let's explore the different types of leather bags available in Nepal.
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Backpacks
It is the most popular bag in Nepal and it is mostly carried by students and businesspeople. Known for its simple design covered with different types of patterns and traditional motifs. Inside the backpack, you can find multiple compartments for laptops, books, and other things.
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Handbags
You can find handbags in different sizes and shapes to match the preferences of the customer. This type of bag is most popular among women. Handbags are perfect to carry some of the daily needs, with compact size and available in different designs. It matches both formal and casual outfits because of the mix of classic and modern design parts. Mostly women carry handbags while going to events or festivals.
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Purses and Wallets
As we look at wallets and purses made from leather, they are functional accessories. With a compact size, you can easily keep your money, credit cards and other things. Similarly, not only is it compact in size but also it is made by Nepalese artisans to showcase the tradition and heritage.
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Duffle Bags
These types of bags are made with durability and elegance. Mostly it is used for vacations or short travels. Duffle bags are strong and can carry a large number of weights while you are on exploration and adventure. It is available in different shapes and sizes, made by local artisans which shows their expertise by paying attention to each detail.
Cultural and Fashion Styles of Leather Bags in Nepal
The relationship between the culture and fashion trends has a huge impact on the way leather bags are made in Nepal. It represents the country's diverse cultural heritage, with the legacy of traditional craftsmanship. In the bags, we can see different Nepalese cultural motifs which are different from the other countries' leather bags. The motifs represent Nepal's architecture, festivals, and spiritual symbolism. Likewise, there are motifs that are painted and embossed by hand that show the different ethnicities and landscapes. Whenever people travel anywhere carrying these leather bags, it makes them feel that they have Nepal's heritage with them.
On the other hand, the Nepalese design of the leather bags follows the latest fashion trends which allows the business to attract customers from all round the world. With the combination of the local artisan's words and the modern design features it creates an amazing design. Such designs come in a number of varieties to match the tastes and preferences of fashion enthusiasts.
Types of leather used to make Leather Bags
You might be curious about the types of leather used in Nepal while making different types of bags. The leather industry in Nepal uses different animal skin like buffalo skin, yak skin, sheepskin, and goatskin, each has their own unique attributes and characteristics. Most leather businesses use buffalo skin as it is easily available and bags made from this skin are tough and rugged, making the bag more strong and durable for a long period of time.
Whereas, yak skin is a great option for the leather bag because of the compact woven collagen fiber and fine grain. Finally, goatskin and sheepskin are more likely to be used to make leather bags because of their grain and light weight. Likewise, leather bags made from these animal skins make elegant bag shapes.
Sustainable practices in leather sourcing
Last few years, there has been a problem in the sustainable practices in the leather business. So we will look at different sustainable ways that need to be used in the leather industry in Nepal. First, supply chains that are transparent would be really important as this will ensure the reliability of source for bags made from leather and also this will minimize the environmental impacts and promote ethical choices.
Likewise, there are still many companies that are using toxic chemicals while tanning, so it would be better if they choose a vegetable tanning process as it is considered as environmentally-friendly. Finally, in order to reduce waste and increase the resources with the leftover materials, the leather business can do different things. For instance, after making the end product with leather and still if there are leftover leather pieces then you can find some innovative ways to reuse it like making keychains, ornaments, and so on.
Local Availability and Import Trends
Raw materials for leather production are simply found in Nepal, mainly yak skin, buffalo skin, goatskin and sheepskin. With the availability of the raw materials it reduces that need for imported products. The leather industry in Nepal has all the needed materials to produce their own leather product therefore, they don't have to import any materials. But there are some cases if any customer needs a leather product of exotic animals like snakes or crocodiles then they might have to import legally for the production.
Production Process for Leather Bags in Nepal
The leather processing in Nepal is similar to other countries, as it starts with the animal's hide (skin) soaking in the water for a few hours in order to remove dirt or any other particles. Once it is done, the next step is to remove hair and tissues by liming. Again the hides are clean to remove any oils or fats that are attached to it.Then, tanning procedures start in order to make hides durable and soft. The tanning process is very important compared to other processes because it determines the quality of the end product.
Next phase for the leather production is cutting, stitching and assembling the hides. Then highly skilled workers cut the leather according to the needed sizes and shapes to make the design of the product. Leather pieces sewn together, nowadays it is mostly done by machine. Now it's time to integrate both traditional and modern strategies to produce leather bags in Nepal. This means it will mix old and new ways to produce leather items that attract customers and follow the latest fashion trends.
Conclusion
To sum up, leather bags are so popular these days and play a huge role in representing the culture and tradition of Nepal. It is popular because of its sturdiness, water resistance and it suits with any outfits. In the market you can find different leather bags in different sizes and shapes to meet different consumer preferences. Every bag is designed with the traditional motifs that represent the architecture, festivals, and spirituality of Nepal. Likewise, these traditional patterns in the leather bags not only shows the heritage and culture of Nepal but also follows the fashion trends globally, which helps these leather industries to attract international customers. Overall, leather business that makes bags shows how you should keep tradition and culture in bags, follow eco-friendly practices and integrate with innovation to stay ahead of the game.
