There’s a new It bag to covet—and it’s quite a bit different from the four-figure totes and clutches you’re used to seeing. Not only do Manu Atelier’s candy-color bags cost a fraction of the price of a designer bag, but each one is handcrafted with Turkish materials in a small, family-run workshop in Istanbul’s Beyoğlu district. Sisters Merve and Beste Manastir design the bags, and their father, Adnan, is their secret weapon—he’s been working in the leather business for decades and leads Manu Atelier’s team of artisans. “We grew up in our father’s workshop learning about the leather trade, from the raw materials to the hardware,” Merve says. “We wanted to create a brand for our future, and to make bags that all of the women who inspire us can actually buy.”

Merve and Beste began working on their now-Insta-famous signature bag, the Pristine, in 2013. It took a year and seven redesigns to nail it, but when Turkish department stores began stocking the bag, they sold out instantly. Global retailers like Selfridges, Stylebop, and Net-a-Porter came shortly after, and the sisters launched their own e-commerce site. One reason the Pristine has been successful is because it looks unlike any other bag on the market: It’s a rectangular shape with a lid-like flap, the leather is cut and hand-stitched with a special geometric technique, and the bags come in a rainbow of colors. But the price has been a game changer, too. A Pristine bag retails for $575, with a smaller “mini” version priced at $495 and a “micro” at $415. Considering many of today’s most-wanted handbags cost five times that much, it almost seems too good to be true. “Price was really important to us before launching,” Beste explains. “Since we’re in Turkey and can supply all of the raw materials and produce everything under one roof, we’ve been able to keep the costs down. We’re also very lucky that our father can lend his expertise and has strong relationships with suppliers. But it’s still not easy to achieve the low margins with very high-quality materials.”

Manu Atelier bags Photo: Cemre Mert

It hasn’t hurt that the sisters have a solid Instagram presence, choosing to post photos of “real women” wearing their bags, rather than celebrities. “Many luxury brands want to be exclusive, but [the industry] is changing,” Merve says. “People want to be included, so we wanted a more genuine, inclusive approach.” As the business grows, Adnan and the artisans are still handcrafting each bag, so the fact that they’re regularly available is notable. In contrast, similarly priced bags—like those from Mansur Gavriel—are almost impossible to track down. Not everyone wants to be on a wait list or place a preorder six months in advance.

Next season, Merve and Beste are incorporating a few Anatolian details into their bags, like traditional embellishments, embroidery, and new colors. Everyone’s got escape and discovery on the brain these days, so they’re smart to embrace their unique heritage. For more information and to shop every style and color, visit manuatelier.com.