Viv Pickle Design Studio

I love this place!
This is the third time I’ve purchased from this company.
1^st time I went for my bacherlotte party
2^nd time hosted a party at my home (bought & got free things)
3^rd used a Groupon (& paid a little bit more $$)
I love that you get to pick the fabric, size, shape, .etc. No one else has my bag! That is the thing I love about it! It is my own custom viv pickle bag! They hold up and are made with quality materials.
It is a fabric bag, if you’re looking for something that is durable, well made and your own favorite colors this is the place for you.
As mentioned I’ve purchased before. The reviewers that wrote about spending so much after using a Groupon or similar, well you picked an expensive design. I walked out spending less than $ 30 in the store after using my $ 30 Groupon I already paid for.
The owner was so nice & served us today. She is the same woman that came out and demonstrated the bags at my home last year. Talk about not passing the work off!
You get what you pay for… I’m pleased with what I get!
Go grab your girlfriends host a party or go on over to the store! Enjoy!

If you’ve ever looked at a purse and thought that would be perfect «if only» Viv Pickle is for you.
Six years ago I went to a Viv Pickle party where I designed my own bag. You could choose from a variety of different fabrics with many different options letting you customize the perfect purse. i.e. How many pockets do you want? Zipper or button? Monogram? For me, I designed a laptop bag which I have used daily for 6 years and it still looks great. This is a true testament to the quality of the craftsmanship you get here. 6+ years?! Well worth the $ 120 I spent on it.
If you’re into Coach or Louis Vouitton then what they sell might not be of interest to you. However, if you like Vera Bradley or are looking for a cute diaper bag, then this would be the place to go.

I went with my mom, we were both using Groupons that we purchased to make custom purses. I had never heard of viv pickle before, and it was ehh. The Groupon was misleading, because it said the average purse price was $ 70, I think, but for that all you could get was a square little tote in thin cotton printed fabric. Since neither of us would use that (since we are grown women and require more than lip gloss and a Pocket Polly) we chose larger purses, that obviously cost us more. There wasn’t anyone else in the store beside the one staffer sitting at the computer.
I obviously didn’t understand what this business did, because I thought energetic, creative people would work there and they would suggest things and interact with my mother and me. I also didn’t realize that they don’t make the purses there, but send out the choices to the factory. It just wasn’t fun, I personally can’t visualize what fabric looks like on a purse when I’m looking at a 4 inch square piece of cloth.
We ended up paying about $ 130 for the ‘extras’ and the Groupon. For that price I would have rather gotten a leather Coach bag. It was a total bummer, and an expensive 10 minute experience. The purse is nothing special, it looks like a $ 20 purse from a craft fair. I just really felt mislead by the Groupon, because the $ 35 Groupon would have ONLY paid for the teeny tiny tote or lunch bag things, which are square totes! Beginner home ec classes could make those teeny square totes.
It wasn’t a horrible experience, just disappointing and an expensive mistake.
UPDATE: I just realized I never added a picture of how the «deluxe» fabric my purse was made with started unravelling after I used it twice. I don’t use this purse, and I really wouldn’t recommend going.

I have purchased bags here twice, admittedly both times with coupon offers. Putting together your bag is a fun experience, the salespeople are really helpful about suggesting lining and strap options, and the products are lovely and well-​made.
But manufacturing is SLOW. My most recent order arrived three weeks after the estimated date. They are very clear that the dates are estimates, but even so I would expect and forgive a few days or even a week after (and a smart business would estimate a little longer than they actually need and then overdeliver).
You will get something very nice, but you can’t count on getting it when they tell you to expect it, so don’t order from here if you’re on deadline for a gift.

Do not do business with these people. They are a hack shop with poor customer service. I went in with my pregnant sister at the end of April to order a diaper bag. Her due date was May 22^nd, and the bag was estimated to be shipped around May 29^th-​June4th. My sister had her baby on May 25^th, and is STILL without a diaper bag. They took my money (not cheap, as someone previously mentioned) in April, but are unapologetic about the bag being late (and they aren’t even sure how late it’s going to be — oh, but they’ll let me know when their shop opens again 4 DAYS FROM NOW). They are snide, uncompassionate, and horrible business people on top of all that. They hung up on me, and won’t pick up the phone again, so I’m going to have to go back thru Amex and Groupon to try to get my money back. On top of all that, part of what they are selling is a unique experience — which has now become a complete nightmare.

very poor customer service. Was charged double shipping ($ 14) for two bags sent together (it cost $ 5 to ship it to me per the package receipt), then waited almost 7 weeks for another bag to come in that was ordered in April. Can’t recommend them.

I’m swooning over my new Viv Pickle creation. I was a bit worried about my fabric choices, but was thrilled to see that the fabric and lining came together perfectly and the bag looks awesome! I ended up paying a bit over $ 100 for the bag (so it ain’t cheap) and it takes what felt like an eternity to get the bag (over a month), but I love love my unique little Viv pickle bag. Would highly recommend if you’re looking for a unique tote.

My first visit to Viv Pickle was about 5 years ago. Since then I have acquired about 6 custom purses, and I love them all.
It is always a fun experience when I go. They have so many fabrics to choose from and tons of ways to customize your bag. They can be a bit pricey (I think my most expensive may be $ 80 or so?) but worth it in the end. The bags are of a nice quality too… I still carry mine on occasion from 5 years ago.
I heard they will come to your house for a bag demonstration. I have never been to one of these myself but it sounds fun. But going to the shop with a group of girlfriends is a great way to pass the day!

Bottom Line: You’ll get a nice bag, but you’ll have to deal with snails pace production.
My mother, sister and I have visited Viv many times. We always end up with beautiful stuff, but its a long road.
My mom ordered a bag and she was told be ready in 6 weeks. Week 5 she gets a call that they don’t have the fabric to make her bag. This couldn’t be addressed 5 weeks ago? Mom went back, got new fabric and got a beautiful bag a week later. She is very happy with her bag, but was a little put off by the customer services.
She ordered another bag on black friday and it wasn’t ready until after the new year… a little ridiculous,
Though slow, they do make beautiful products. I have a viv wallet, make-​up bag and lunch box and I always get a billion compliments. I would recommend their products, just recognize you’ll have to wait.

I adore Viv Pickle! My sister, mom, and I went there so she could have a diaper bag made before her twins arrived. While there, I caught the bug! I had wanted to give Viv a try for quite some time, so I went ahead and created my own perfect summer bag. I chose a beautiful, bright summer print and a neon pink waterproof lining. I believe it was a makeup bag style, but I carry it as a clutch. It’s a perfect accent, and it’s so cool knowing it’s just for you. We both get tons of compliments on our bags.
The service was great, and the girls were super nice and let us really have fun playing around. The bags were done just when they said they’d be. I will definitely use Viv in the future, and encourage people to give it a try. It’s a super fun process, and really worth the time and price (although they are very reasonable).

Ever have that create your own urge, but no idea how to make what you want? I had that feeling with handbags, and with a little trip to this place, I ended up with a cute little tote made in the colors of my choice.
I didn’t want to design the silhouette as the had great designed ones already, and picking the fabric was fun. I loved that it was being sewn by a real seamstress here in Philly.
Cute bag, I get compliments every time I use it.

The nail polish got their own bag. And their owner got a new purse too =)

My first act as a Philadelphian was getting hopelessly lost and ducking into Viv to escape the rain. While I wasn’t quite ready for the all the decision making that goes into a custom handbag, I bought myself a fun wallet and have since come back to buy wallets for all my envious friends. I love the selection of unique fabrics, but after a year my wallet’s pickle emblem has fallen off! I guess this necessitates another trip, and maybe I’ll move up to the world of handbags this time…
Bottom line– Viv has cute, custom products and service is excellent. The bags make great gifts.

My friend works here so I’ve been in here a couple times. This place is pretty legit, making custom handbags and whatnot. They made the biggest handbag in the US or something at 30^st station. I remember reading about it in the paper. And I met the owner and shes really cool. They seem to run a tight ship for what they do, so they get 5 big ones

I discovered this cute little studio while wandering around one night for First Friday. See, while most people are hanging out in the art galleries drinking free wine and eating free food, I’m looking for an excuse to spend money. Smart, I am not. But Viv Pickle bags are adorable and fun, and I pretty much thought immediately that this studio was pretty much the Best Thing Ever.
Fast forward a couple of months to my birthday, when I decided that one of these fabulous bags would be my present to myself. I wandered back into the studio on a random lazy weekend and spent a nice little chunk of time picking out my bag.
Here’s a breakdown of the process:
1. You pick out a shape. Do you want a bucket tote? A messenger bag? A diaper bag?
2. You pick a fabric. This is the fun part. Two levels of fabric swatches hang before you, overwhelming with choice. Most are bright and retro-​inspired, from florals to geometrics to plaid. Some of the fabrics include a donation to charity, such as the Humane Society and Breast Cancer research.
3. You take these things and sit with a staff member, who will go over the customizable options with you. You’ll pick an interior fabric from a rolodex of swatches. You can pick the closure (zip or snap), pockets inside or out, and handle (leather, webbing, or fabric — PLUS you can pick the handle length if you wish). There are other extras as well, like trim and monogramming. And the signature pickle is optional but of course free.
4. You wait a month or so and then either go pick your custom bag up or have it sent to your house for an additional shipping charge.
I ordered a large bucket tote in a loud, multi-​color floral pattern, unlike anything I’ve ever seen in a store, and a small zip case in a kitty print ($ 2 of which went to the Humane Society). The bag has held up well for almost two months of daily use, and it feels and looks like it’s constructed very well. I’m so happy with this bag that I will definitely be back for another one in the future.
The base prices of the bags range from $ 35-​$ 70, and some of the styles include a pocket or a zip closure. Add-​ons are extra, but each costs only $ 5-​$ 20. Very reasonable for a custom handbag!
For the impatient, uncreative, or just plain lazy, Viv Pickle does also sell pre-​made bags at the front of the studio. Be sure to look for the discount bin too. Oh, and bring your dog and get a free treat!

Great place to go and pick ut your own fabrics, shapes and features for a custom made bag! It’s a great concept and all the people behind it are so wonderful, helpful and creative. You can even have a Pickle Party! Invite your girlfriends over and their sales rep will help you customize your bags! I love them :)

Their motto is ‘Make your Handbag Dreams Come True!’ Now, I don’t exactly have dreams of handbags, but I do know people who do and this is where they can come to realize those dreams.
I was just dropping by so I purchased a cute little tote that was prefabricated with some lovely design. You, however, can customize a bag of any size, shape, fabric that your little heart desires and they’ll make it for you. Great concept. Nice gals, but what’s with all the pickles?!

I remember this place. They used to give out pickles on a stick on most Fridays during the summertime, and it always put a stumped expression on my face. great pickles though so I wonder if they still do it?
Anyway Viv is the best place to get a handbag in the city since it does what Re-​Load does for messenger bags — you get get the bag of your dreams custom made. Can’t say how good they are by personal experience, but I know people who swore by them enough to write stories about them.