Designed as a playful everyday crossbody bag, the Capybara Leather Bag combines a structured vegetable tanned leather body with sculpted facial details inspired by the distinctive shape and character of a capybara.

It features a spacious main compartment, a protective full-width animal-shaped flap, layered leather facial details, magnetic closures and an adjustable detachable shoulder strap.

The structured construction gives the Capybara a compact rounded silhouette, while the ears, feet, muzzle and raised facial details transform the bag into a recognizable animal-inspired design.

The bag can be worn over the shoulder or crossbody.

Each Capybara Bag is cut, stitched and finished by Vasile and Pavel Vasilache in the Atom Leather atelier in Bucharest, Romania.

Product Details

• Material: Vegetable tanned leather
• Color: Warm tan leather with dark brown facial details
• Construction: Structured leather body with layered sculpted details
• Main compartment: Single main compartment
• Front: Full-width capybara face flap with layered leather details
• Closure: Two concealed magnetic clasps
• Shoulder strap: Adjustable and detachable vegetable tanned leather strap
• Stitching: 0.04 in / 1 mm waxed thread
• Hardware: Brass-tone buckle, swivel hooks and D-rings
• Dimensions: 7.9 × 7.9 × 2.4 in / 20 × 20 × 6 cm
• Made in: Bucharest, Romania
• Makers: Vasile and Pavel Vasilache
• Atelier: Atom Leather

Construction

Structured Leather Body

The Capybara Bag is constructed from 5.5–6 oz / approximately 2.2–2.4 mm vegetable tanned leather.

The body is shaped into a compact three-dimensional form approximately 2.4 in / 6 cm deep, giving the bag useful interior capacity while maintaining its distinctive rounded silhouette.

The flap, ears, feet and layered facial components are integrated into the construction rather than added as printed or synthetic decoration.

Contrasting dye and surface finishing emphasize the muzzle, nose and other facial details.

Front Design

Sculpted Capybara Face

The front of the bag is defined by a large leather flap shaped to form the capybara's head.

Layered vegetable tanned leather creates the raised eyes and prominent muzzle, while small ears extend from the upper section of the flap and leather feet appear beneath the body.

Surface texture created by hand with a hot edge creaser and hand-applied color create additional depth and variation across the face. 

Because these details are individually cut, formed, dyed and finished by hand, slight differences from one Capybara Bag to another are part of the handmade character of the piece.

Top Handle

The Capybara Bag does not include a top carrying handle.

Its proportions and construction are designed specifically for comfortable shoulder and crossbody carry using the detachable leather strap.

Adjustable Shoulder Strap

The Capybara includes an adjustable detachable leather shoulder strap.

The strap is made from 8 / 3.2mm vegetable tanned leather and connects to the sides of the bag using metal swivel hooks and D-rings.

A metal buckle allows the carrying length to be adjusted for shoulder or crossbody use.

The swivel hooks allow the strap to be removed completely when required.

Closure

The main compartment is protected by the full-width capybara face flap.

The flap is secured using two concealed magnetic clasps, keeping the front visually clean while providing convenient access to the interior.

The magnetic closures are positioned beneath the decorative front construction so the sculpted face remains the main visual feature of the bag.

Dimensions

• Height: 7.9 in / 20 cm
• Width: 7.9 in / 20 cm
• Depth: 2.4 in / 6 cm

Measurements refer to the interior dimensions of the bag.

Small variations may occur because each bag is made by hand.

Materials & Construction

Main Body

The Capybara Bag is made from 5.5oz /2.2mm vegetable tanned leather.

The leather is cut, formed, dyed and finished to create the structured body and distinctive capybara-inspired details.

Vegetable tanned leather is particularly well suited to this construction because it can be shaped, textured and finished while retaining a defined structure.

Shoulder Strap

The detachable shoulder strap is made from 8 oz / 3.2mm vegetable tanned leather.

The heavier leather provides additional strength and allows the strap to develop character and patina gradually with use.

Stitching & Finish

The construction includes:

• 0.04 in / 1 mm waxed thread
• Finished leather edges
• Hand-dyed leather surfaces
• Hand-finished facial details
• Layered leather construction
• Reinforced strap attachment areas

Hardware

The Capybara uses metal hardware.

What Fits Inside

The Capybara is a compact crossbody bag designed for smaller everyday essentials such as:

• Smartphone
• Compact wallet
• Card holder
• Keys
• Earbuds
• Small charging accessories
• Small personal accessories
• Other compact everyday items

The interior dimensions are approximately 7.9 × 7.9 × 2.4 in / 20 × 20 × 6 cm.

If you intend to carry a specific phone, wallet or another particular item, please compare its actual dimensions with the measurements of the bag before ordering.

Please remember that the listed measurements are exterior dimensions, so usable interior space will be slightly smaller.

About Atom Leather

Leathercraft from Bucharest

Atom Leather is the father and son atelier of Vasile and Pavel Vasilache, based in Bucharest, Romania.

We work with leather using hand stitching, molding, pattern development and leather finishing.

Atom Leather is featured in the Homo Faber Guide.

Leather masks made in our atelier have also appeared twice in the print edition of Dazed magazine.

Each Capybara Bag is cut, stitched, shaped, dyed and finished in our Bucharest workshop.

Natural Variations

Vegetable tanned leather is a natural material.

Grain, small markings and differences in color and surface appearance vary from one hide to another.

The hand-dyed surface can also show subtle differences in tone, particularly around textured, molded and layered areas.

With use, vegetable tanned leather will gradually darken, soften and develop a patina.

Areas that are handled frequently may become smoother and deeper in color over time.

Small scratches, tonal variations, grain differences and changes in surface appearance are part of the character of vegetable tanned leather rather than defects.

Small differences in stitching, facial expression, dyeing and finishing are also part of handmade production and make each Capybara Bag slightly individual.

Care

How to Care for Your Capybara Leather Bag

• Remove loose dust with a soft, clean cloth or brush.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to water.
• If the leather becomes wet, allow it to dry naturally at room temperature.
• Keep the bag away from radiators and direct heat.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to strong direct sunlight.
• Do not use alcohol or household cleaning products on the leather.
• Use care products specifically suitable for vegetable tanned leather.
• Always test leather care products on a less visible area first.
• Avoid overloading the bag or forcing oversized objects into the compartment.
• Store the bag in a dry, ventilated place when not in use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Capybara Bag made from real leather?

Yes.

The Capybara is made from vegetable tanned leather, including the structured body, sculpted facial components and shoulder strap.

Is the bag structured or soft?

The Capybara is a structured leather bag.

Its substantial vegetable tanned leather construction helps the body maintain its characteristic three-dimensional shape while gradually becoming more flexible with use.

How large is the Capybara Bag?

The bag measures approximately:

• 7.9 in / 20 cm wide
• 7.9 in / 20 cm high
• 2.4 in / 6 cm deep

Does it have an exterior pocket?

No.

The Capybara uses a compact single-compartment construction rather than a separate exterior front pocket.

The front of the bag is occupied by the sculpted capybara face flap.

How does the bag close?

The full-width leather flap is secured using two concealed magnetic clasps.

Can the Capybara Bag be carried by hand?

The bag does not include a dedicated top handle.

It is designed primarily for shoulder and crossbody carry.

Does it include a shoulder strap?

Yes.

The Capybara includes an adjustable detachable vegetable tanned leather shoulder strap.

Can it be worn crossbody?

Yes.

The adjustable strap allows the Capybara to be worn over the shoulder or crossbody.

Can the shoulder strap be removed?

Yes.

The strap connects to the bag using metal swivel hooks and can be completely detached.

What fits inside?

The Capybara is designed for compact everyday essentials such as a smartphone, small wallet, card holder, keys, earbuds and other personal accessories.

Will my phone fit?

Many smartphones should fit comfortably, but device dimensions vary.

Please compare the actual dimensions of your phone with the bag's 7.9 × 7.9 × 2.4 in / 20 × 20 × 6 cm exterior dimensions before ordering.

The usable interior dimensions are slightly smaller than the exterior measurements.

What leather is used for the body?

The main body is made from approximately 5.5–6 oz / 2.2–2.4 mm vegetable tanned leather.

What leather is used for the shoulder strap?

The shoulder strap is made from heavier 8–9 oz / approximately 3.2–3.6 mm vegetable tanned leather.

Will the leather change with use?

Yes.

Vegetable tanned leather naturally changes with handling, light and use. It will gradually soften, darken and develop a patina unique to its owner.

Will my bag look exactly like the photographs?

The construction, proportions and overall design remain consistent, but leather is a natural material and each Capybara Bag is finished by hand.

Grain, natural markings, dye tone, surface texture and patina can therefore vary slightly from one bag to another.

Small differences in stitching and hand-finished facial details are also part of handmade production.

Is each Capybara Bag handmade?

Yes.

Each bag is individually cut, stitched, shaped, dyed and finished in our atelier.

Where is the Capybara Bag made?

Each Capybara Bag is made by Vasile and Pavel Vasilache in the Atom Leather atelier in Bucharest, Romania.

SEE HOW IS MADE