If I Were a Rich Girl, I’d Buy This: nicchi bag

Nicholas Riis founded nicchi after being introduced to leather craftmanship in 2019 at HOT-SHOP, ECCO Leather's annual creative leather workshop. Good Morning Miracle, his debut collection, was released in September 2021.

The brand works with an intimate team of designers to produce what they call a bittersweet universe. The employees are listed on the website so that information is available if you’re curious. As a consumer, I will always give brownie points for that level of transparency.

They claim that the leather is “responsibly” sourced from within the Netherlands, Italy, and France. I didn't put quotation marks around responsibly to take the piss. I'm quoting the word they use on the nicchi website.

Perhaps I'm skeptical. Okay. I'm definitely skeptical.

I don't blindly trust brands as I once did. And I'm particularly wary about sustainable and ethical brands. Every word on the nicchi website may be true, but the age of greenwashed cynicism has made me fickle. I'll give the brand the benefit of the doubt because I want to believe in a good thing.

I hope they’re 100% when they say their bags are made in Maison Macadamia, a workshop in Amsterdam. If you worry about waste like me, don't stress! The bags are on a first-come, first-served basis. Limiting stock is an easy way for brands to reduce waste. I respect initiatives that aim to minimize the 92 million tons of waste generated by the fashion industry.

I appreciate the emphasis on shape, texture, and craftsmanship. According to the website, artisans handmake the bags, which accounts for their unique origami structure. The human craftsmanship justifies the nearly $2,500 price tag. However, they offer a less expensive Peanut line that’s factory-made.

I’ve never seen a cow leather bag modeled into this shape. It reminds me of when a dumpling is left in the steamer too long. That design element makes me light up inside, as does the thought that the artisan stamps the bag. I also can’t get enough of the vibrant selection of colors and adorable illustrations is right up my alley.

The only criticism I have of the bag is the opening. Even the product description admits this fact. If you love tiny bag energy, then this won’t be a problem for you. I happen to be one of those people who likes to fit their entire life in their bag.

Worryingly, the brand hasn’t updated its Instagram, @nicchi.life, since December 24, 2024. Additionally, the brand doesn’t have a TikTok or other forward-facing social media accounts. However, if you like the bags, they are currently available for purchase on nicchi’s official website, L'Oeuvre, and the APOC store.