Valerian

A timeless large crossbody bag, designed for those who like to have everything at hand. 

The model

Created in 2014, the Valériane is the very first bag designed by Faméthic. Its prototype quickly found a new life thanks to an exchange with French-Mexican jewelry artisans, before going to live in Mexico, where it remained in use for many years. More than ten years after its creation, it remains one of the brand's iconic models and is still one of its bestsellers. It is also the model that marked my beginnings as a leatherworker and revealed, from the very first years, my way of designing bags meant to last.

Inspired by a bag discovered during a trip to Burkina Faso, the Valériane is halfway between a messenger bag and a bucket bag. Its deliberately sober design leaves full room for the leather: its two faces are identical and offer large surfaces that fully reveal the grain, texture, and patina of full-grain leather. Its timeless aesthetic particularly appeals to women sensitive to design, architecture, or the creative industries, who are looking for a bag that is at once discreet, functional, and deeply thoughtful.

Its design is based on a simple principle: a large bag must remain comfortable, even when it is well filled. Its wide 4 cm shoulder strap naturally distributes the weight on the shoulder and allows it to be carried for a long time without discomfort. It is made as a direct extension of the bag's body, without an attached fastener, thus eliminating one of the most common weak points in leather goods. This construction choice directly contributes to the model's exceptional sturdiness.

Over the years, only a few technical improvements have been made to further enhance its durability, notably the stitching at the bottom of the bag and the discreet addition of side rivets. Its design, however, has remained faithful to the original, proof of a balance that has stood the test of time.

Inside, two very large flat pockets make it easy to organize everyday essentials, while a long key strap prevents having to detach your bunch of keys to open a door. Simple details, designed to make its use increasingly pleasant.

Features

• Exterior dimensions: 35 cm wide, 32.5 cm high, 13 cm deep at the base, 5.5 cm opening at the top. 
• Interior dimensions: 33 cm wide, 31 cm high, 12 cm deep
• Weight: approximately 0.9 kg
• 4 cm wide strap, adjustable between approximately 70 cm and 145 cm with a sliding buckle for tight shoulder, long, or crossbody wear. 
• Magnetic snap closure.
• Pockets: 2 side interior pockets, 33 cm wide by 27 cm high
• Very long key strap.
  

Material

This model is made from full-grain cowhide leather from the Italian artisanal tannery Virgilio Conceria Artigliana, specializing in vegetable tanning. 

Dyed through with natural pigments, this leather develops a deep patina over the years that gives it all its personality. Handling, light, and time gradually reveal its richness and make each bag unique. 

To learn more about our selection of leathers, our approach, and our partner tannery, discover the dedicated page: our leathers.

Manufacturing

Each Faméthic bag is handmade in my workshop from carefully selected full-grain leathers.

Each step - from cutting to assembly, including sewing - is carried out with precision, one gesture after another to guarantee the quality, sturdiness, and durability of each piece. 

To discover my approach to artisanal manufacturing and Faméthic's commitments, I invite you to consult the page: our commitments.

How made-to-order manufacturing works

This model is made especially for you after your order is validated. 

Manufacturing begins in my workshop using the leather and color you have selected. This approach allows each piece to be made at the workshop's pace, without mass production, while offering a wide choice of leathers, colors, and certain customization options. 

The average manufacturing time is approximately three weeks. It may vary slightly depending on the time of year, the availability of certain leathers, and the workshop's activity. 

To discover in more detail how made-to-order manufacturing works, and the customization options, consult the dedicated page: made-to-order manufacturing.

Care

The full-grain leather selected for this model is designed to develop a beautiful patina over the years. Handling, light, and signs of use naturally contribute to its evolution and make each bag unique. 

This leather requires little maintenance. Occasional conditioning with a suitable balm is generally enough to preserve its suppleness and accompany its natural aging. 

To discover the appropriate steps, consult our dedicated page: our leather care tips. 

Leather care balm (30ml), natural crepe brush and organic cotton pouch included with all our leather bags. 

Usage tips

The Valériane is designed to accompany days when you carry a lot of things. Laptop, documents, water bottle, pencil case, book, or a few groceries on your way home: its large volume often makes it possible to do without an additional tote bag. It is particularly pleasant during travel, where it allows you to keep everything that accompanies you daily in one place. 

When worn crossbody, the two large leather faces naturally come closer to each other. The opening then tightens against the body and the magnetic pressure engages, which effectively protects its contents while maintaining quick access to your belongings. In public transport or crowded places, simply wear it in front of you and adjust the length of the strap to fully enjoy this effect.

When the bag is very loaded, its silhouette naturally evolves and gets closer to that of a bucket bag. In this configuration, it is particularly pleasant to wear on the shoulder: the arm comes to hold the opening against the body, while offering remarkable storage capacity. This double way of wearing it allows it to naturally adapt to the needs of each day.

If you are looking for the same spirit in a more compact format, discover the Petite Valériane. If you prefer to distribute the load on both shoulders, the Petit Mauve backpack will meet the same daily transport needs.