I’m a sucker for genuine leather goods. I’m addicted to the smell so I as much as possible I choose to buy bags with real leather. I had the Cambridge Satchel which my husband hated so I sold it for an even higher price. (Ha!) I have a couple of Rabeanco bags which I so love.

Locally, I adore Our Tribe and Fino Leatherware for their leather goods. I just love going inside their stores because of the smell. My husband finds it weird but I know some of you will understand.

Browsing through Zalora (for some window-shopping because my I’m sad my husband is going on a trip), I saw this gorgeous leather backpack:

I’m thinking of buying this one because I’ve been searching for a really nice leather backpack for myself and as an alternative to Noah’s diaper bag. It’s a bit pricey for a backpack but I know this will last me a lifetime. I’m still on a shopping diet but I haven’t gotten myself a present for our 5th Wedding Anniversary. (Haha!) It’s cheaper than the bag husband wants me to buy for him so I think I’ll wait until he comes back.

Carabao Crafts is a new brand by Carlo Garcia. He comes from a clan of shoemakers in Marikina. He’s the grandson of Vicente Samson (owner of OTTO, ITTI, Cardam’s, and Caterpillar). Having studied shoe and bag design from Ars Sutoria Milanofrom, Carlo Garcia hopes to continue the Samson family’s legacy by starting his own line. His creations are elegant and more durable because they are made from materials combining recycled airplane tires, abaca, coconut fibers, and carabao leather.

I’m glad that young fashion designers like Garcia chose to use Philippines’ very own. I hope more people will support such products. Enough of synthetic leather please. They won’t last long. Buy real leather to get your money’s worth.

Here are some of Carabao Crafts products:

Gorgeous!