10/22/2024: Fast forward from 2006 after purchasing a custom-made, leather backpack I commissioned Sven's Owner's Daughter, Liza creating which I directed the design I wanted and tailored for globetrotting around the Planet, the backpack's main compartment zipper finally split! Welp~I called Sven inquiring replacing the backpack's zipper; however, to my utter dismay and severely disappointed, Sven will NOT replace the zipper. Instead, the Sven Customer Service's suggestion was taking the backpack to a Shoe Repair in Berkeley CA replacing the zipper which left me utterly taken aback and ruefully surprised, i.e., thus--a star was removed from my updated, 2024 YELP! Review! Still, the goat skin leather backpack has held its value according to Slavik, the Owner of Roseville Shoe Repair who replaced the backpack's main compartment zipper with a high-quality, metal zipper which I supplied Slavik the metal zipper and metal pull tabs. In addition, Slavik repaired the backpack's main compartment's interior, polyester lining which ripped sewing goat skin leather, lining replacement reinforcements, installed new leather pull tabs for the front compartment zipper, and the backpack's main compartment zipper pull tabs as well. Slavik also stated the leather used creating my backpack is goat skin which today, is quite costly if, I were to commission Sven creating another leather backpack, i.e., costing about $600.00 by today's present time. In fact, when I perused Sven's URL, Sven doesn't have the backpack design I created for my globetrotting needs! Indeed, I designed a unique, leather backpack NOBODY owns, i.e., which I'm so happy I commissioned Sven creating: Double pull tabs for the backpack's main compartment, double pull tabs for the front compartment, the backpack's strap can be utilized as a sling or utilized as a traditional backpack, a newly installed 2024 metal zipper for the main compartment, two exterior side pockets, goat skin leather interior lining, an interior zipper pocket, and an RFID storage compartment comprising the integrity, longevity, and retaining its high value! Overall and despite, Sven not replacing the backpack's main compartment zipper, I'm truly happy I had commissioned Sven's Daughter, Liza creating a goat skin leather backpack NOBODY owns! Hmmm~Maybe I should patent and copyright my design, eh, Sven? Lol! read more

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one of my favorite features... the side zipper for stashing keys (or whatever, I use it for keys). Now that cars don't require the engagement of a key, you still want them with you for the house, the car registering their presence, etc. The extra stash place means no fishing around, not extra stuff filling up the main purse compartment, yet if they are needed for one of the other keys on the ring, they are handy. With the zipper, you never lose them. Brilliant design. SVEN are the only purses I buy and most of my family has received a wallet or travel purse at this point. Great stuff, locally made, awesome owners. So says The Queen of Boogie Woogie and it is the Truth. read more

Beautiful leather products made in Berkeley. I just got a little red pouch, am stilling using a purse purchased years ago. read more

Will custom fit you! Wonderful products and a great neighborhood experience. I went back after wearing out my favorite bag.

Great leather quality and knowledgeable folks in the store. Worth seeking them out! Their workshop is right in the store and the leather quality is really good. read more

The purse I bought here 9 1/2 years ago has started to look shabby, not surprising considering that I've used it every day other than when we were traveling, when I used another purse and wallet. I decided to swing by Sven today when I was out on another Berkeley errand. I found parking close by and rang the doorbell and was let in by a youngish woman and greeted by her friendly dog. I showed her my purse and told her I needed a new one. She led me to the place where they were, in three different colors, assuring me they could make it in a different color if I wanted. I had already decided I wanted a darker color and the one in back was it. At first I thought it was black but she told me it was dark brown. Just as good. The bag was rung up by another, older woman (but younger than me) whose name was Susan and who turned out to be the owner of the store and the mother of the woman who let me in. We had a lovely chat and it embodies why I prefer shopping locally rather than at anonymous department stores where the goods carry no personal connection to the person selling them or to me. I look forward to using my new purse for many more years. I have already transferred everything from the old one to the new one, which looks very attractive and feels comfortably familiar. read more

I've owned about 5 Sven purses over the past 20 years. They're beautifully made, durable, and feel solid but not overly heavy. Last year one of my old purses wore out (not the bag itself, but the leather piping around the edges), so I sent it to them and asked if they could repair it. They wrote back promptly that that wasn't advisable: It's past the guarantee period, and they no longer make that style; so they'd have to take it apart and rebuild it, which would cost me more than a new purse! I appreciated their honesty, as they could have made a lot of money rebuilding my old purse. I just went into their shop in Berkeley this afternoon. The older chap who waited on me was friendly and helpful. I chose a purse in another style, but they didn't have it in stock in the kind of leather I wanted, so they're making me one and will ship it to me -- no extra charge. Such a class act! My only caution for customers is to be sure that you like the purse: They do take returns if you don't like it, but once you've settled in with it, you'll be using that purse for the next 20 years! (My old one that wore out was at least that old, possibly older, and it was still in good condition except for the piping.) read more

What a lovely purse! I had such a nice time picking it out and chatting with Sven about the joys of daughters (while my three-year old Josie went around trying on purses). I settled on this bag and picked out the sailor blue leather. A week later -- on my birthday -- I got a call that the bag was ready. Just picked it up and I am so pleased with it! The color is rich and leather soft and supple. The lining is thick and durable. One of the best things about Sven's purses is that they are so lightweight. Any mass produced bag this size (Hobo, for example) would be weighed down before I put anything in it. Not this bag. It took everything in me not to hug him when I picked it up. read more

Sven Design - Sailor Blue Cross Body/Hand Bag - Leather Goods Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I wish I could give this place 10 stars! They have the best quality, sturdy handbags ever, made from gorgeous buttery leather. Best of all is the customer service! I bought a handbag and then after using it for a few days I decided it had an inconvenient pouch for my cell phone. They took it back, no questions asked, and made me a new handbag to my exact specifications. No extra charge! Wow! read more

I'm on my second Sven purse in about twenty years. They simply don't wear out. The stitching never frays, the leather doesn't discolor or get scratched. I finally gave up my first purse only because the lining wore out. Sven does impeccable work. My sister, visiting from New York, ordered one for herself and had it shipped. I was delighted to find that Sven does custom work as well. In Rome a while back, I photographed the handsome orange and purple backpack that our guide wore. A Sven designer said she could duplicate the leather but would need to modify the shape. We worked together to decide where each color should go and what sort of interior pockets I needed, and she suggested a purple accent that I thought was brilliant. I've gotten so many compliments on that backpack. I love it so much. It's my favorite accessory. Nancy C., 4/3/2020 read more

I have had a Sven handbag for about 20 years that still looks good and gets compliments. When I bought it (at a shop in North Beach), it was pretty expensive and I hesitated. The seller told me it came with a guarantee: if anything fails to hold up, I can take it to Sven and they'll fix it for free. That sold me, and the bag has held up better than any other I have owned. Not a single stitch has come out, the lining is intact, the leather is in good shape. I'm going back for another soon, and I hope bag #2 serves me as well as bag #1. read more

Outlet store for leather purses, bags and wallets made here in Berkeley. Simple classic designs in an array of styles and sizes. Store is located just south of the University Ave. freeway exit and the 4th St. shopping district. You can choose from a selection of discounted items as well as their full line. The regular stock can be pricey (as leather is) but bargains can be found. The discounted items are their usual styles but tend to be weird colors like pink, teal or light green though not always. This is a family run business that's been here forever and the folks are really nice and funny. read more

I window shopped for a couple of months wanting to purchase one of their beautiful shoulder purses. I found a color, antique bronze, that goes with a lot and is just a beautiful color. Their leather is soft and lovely to look at and touch. I get happy every time that I pick up the purse to use - slide it over my shoulder and I'm off. In addition, this long shoulder strap style was to relieve arm and shoulder pain from carrying a purse. The pain is GONE .I love this shop and am so glad that I came across it when I recently moved to the area. Signed, A super happy customer. read more

Five stars for terrific design. With my Swen bag over my shoulder, my cell phone vibrating in its dedicated pocket is positioned perfectly by my elbow. I can choose between looking wired, or fashionably off-the-grid. read more

Sven has the best men's wallets! I think the leather is what makes the difference. This place dosent sell millions like other brand names so the quality is much higher. read more

I recently bought a purse from Sven that I've been using every day and love. The leather is high quality, soft, and supple. The design is really nice. When I was in the store trying purses, the straps were all too long for me. The salesperson said they wold make me one to order, at no extra charge, and carefully measured exactly what length I'd like the strap. Two days later it was done! The quality is amazing - esp. considering the cost was under $100. I've since bought two more small purses from Sven Design in different colors. And a wallet also. read more

I'm echoing many of the other reviews -- I ordered a backpack online and wasn't happy with the color when I got it. They took it back and refunded my money and sent me sample leather swatches of other colors to help me select the one I wanted. I ordered another one and love it. A few days ago I decided I wanted another one in a different color, ordered it online on the 24th and since they had one in stock they mailed it right away, without charging for shipping, and I just received it today. The customer service and the quality of the merchandise are truly outstanding. I live in LA, and look forward to actually visiting the store next time I am in Berkeley! read more

I NEVER write reviews, but I am totally in love with the bag I bought at the Sven "factory store" on 4th street a few days ago. It is a style (#816) that Sven has discontinued so I got it for half-price. I had seen the same bag in basic black for full price in a local shop. Knew I was taking a color risk with the lower priced Dark Pewter, but couldn't resist saving so much $$$. Turns out, the Dark Pewter works just fine with my low key look.This is my 4th Sven bag, I had black and brown Sven backpacks (for decades I think), but they became impractical for me with the dawn of the Phone Age. I still have my big black Sven messenger bag for travel and hauling around my old iPad. Thank you, Sven! Your bags are extremely well made and beautiful. Ann read more

If I could give less than one star I would, the stitching on the handle came out and the handle came OFF. I don't mind paying $215 for a purse if it is going to last a reasonable amount of time and look good but this purse was used for only 2-3 months, and not loaded down. Unlike other companies (small and large) with great customer service where I'll be shopping from now on, Sven bags has a 30 day return/exchange policy. Considering how much time Sven spent talking about the quality of his purses, it makes me wonder why he doesn't offer more than 30 days to exchange. My advice, spend your money where you get higher quality and better customer service. read more

I have had two Sven Designs bags and am ordering a third. I planned on buying a bag while traveling in Italy this summer, but realized that everything I loved was very expensive and upwards of 500 euros ($650) if it was made in Italy - many are made in China if inexpensive. I have had such amazing customer service from Sven and have certainly appreciated the quality of the products. I have had the large Sling Bag for 10 years and it still looks great. Even the interior is in one piece. A few years ago the magnetic closure came off and after sending the bag to Berkeley had it back IN LESS THAN ONE WEEK and repaired for free, and even replaced the shoulder strap buckle to a tongue buckle that wouldn't slip. The leather is not the very fine and expensive Italian leather that I was looking at in Italy, but it is buttery and soft, and beautiful. I am a fan of Sven Designs that had to realize that I had a wonderful handbag maker an hour from me, so why pay twice as much for a similar product somewhere else. read more

I love my new handbag. the size, quality of leather and the appearance.

I ordered a Sven bag on line but when it arrived, I didn't like the color. Sven accepted the purse in return but emailed me about what I really wanted. They sent me swatches of leather so that I could get the color I wanted and made the purse for me. The purse is wonderfully soft leather, just beautiful. The purse was so expensive that I hesitated for weeks before ordering it, but I'm very pleased with the result, thanks to Sven's outstanding customer service. read more

I've been hunting high and low for a quality leather "hip/fanny pac" and finally found one in a little shop in SF. Thank you Sven Design, I love my "hip/fanny pac" and use it all the time. Already friends have been asking me where to get one, so look out, more orders are on their way. read more