Leather Journals Made By Gen Z Girl Bosses: Get These For An Analog Galentine’s Date
If your girl group has been cutting down on screen time and getting into analog hobbies as of late, we get you. For junk journaling and scrapbooking dates, here are our favourite leather bullet journal picks in Singapore – exclusively from Gen Z girl-run brands.
If you haven’t already heard, analog is back. Going offline and being intentional with your time is the new cool, which means junk journaling, snail mail and scrapbooking are making their comeback.
For the girls getting together for Valentine’s Day (or Galentine’s, we should say), filling the pages of a handmade leather journal might just be the ideal activity. Even better, there’s a growing group of Gen Z creators in Singapore making journals that feel personal, expressive and anything but generic. Skip the endless searching and TikTok scrolling – we’ve got you covered with these handmade leather journals in Singapore.
WHERE TO BUY HANDMADE LEATHER BULLET JOURNALS IN SINGAPORE
1. KINDA ARTSY
What they offer: Handcrafted leather journals accented with botanical details, including their signature, limited-edition preserved orchid charms. Select designs even feature snow leopard fur lining for an even bolder statement. They’ve also recently introduced hand-foiled journals bearing a number of whimsical motifs – such as adorable bunnies and or deer.
Hand-foiled leather journals start from $158, while preserved orchid leather versions are priced from $165.
Who’s behind it: Avelyn, who chooses not to reveal her last name and age so as to keep the focus on her work. She launched her journals in January this year, driven by a desire to create journals that move away from the Carmen Louise-inspired styles that were all over the internet.
Where to buy: Via Instagram. New journals are released two to three times a month, though without a fixed schedule.
2. RUBY MERLOT
What they offer: Ruby Merlot’s take on the classic leather journal comes in the form of the Orbit Journal, designed with spiral-shaped stud details and an enlarged eyelet on the front cover. The Orbit Journal was intended to be accessorised and dressed up, with the eyelet designed to be styled with charms and keychains. It’s practical too, with inner pockets for storing the memorabilia that every junk journaller knows is absolutely essential.
The Orbit Journal (Small) retails for $109, with additional charms starting at $13.
Who’s behind it: Jiwahn Han, 23, who runs Ruby Merlot full-time. Having journaled consistently for over ten years, she wanted her leather journals to feel wearable and expressive – much like the bags she designs – rather than purely functional.
Where to buy: rubymerlot.com. The journals tend to sell out quickly, but Han is working towards increasing stock levels and having them available in larger quantities.
3. NOSTALUNE ATELIER
What they offer: Designed for those who see journaling as a self-care ritual, Nostalune Atelier’s journals come exclusively in moody shades of red and black. Signature styles include the Lune, which features lace detailing and metal rivets on the cover, adding a touch of softness to its look. The Two-Tone Lace version uses leather offcuts to create unique colour pairings of the journals, ensuring no two journals are exactly the same. All journals are made with full-grain, vegetable-tanned Italian leather, chosen for how beautifully it ages over time.
Prices start at $79 for an A6 leather journal.
Who’s behind it: Kirsten, a 20-year-old university student who prefers to keep her last name private. She founded Nostalune Atelier last November and has been producing her handmade journals since.
Where to buy: nostaluneatelier.myshopify.com. Journals are released in batches of around 15 pieces every two to three weeks.
4. SUSLEY.CO
What they offer: Handmade cowhide leather folios that are fully customisable. Each folio includes a pocket for storing sticker sheets and keepsakes, and buyers can choose the colour of the leather, grommets and elastic band. These can be further personalised with badges, beads and other charms. The result is a simple but charming piece – ideal for minimalists who still want something personal and one-of-a-kind.
Prices start at $34 for a passport-sized bifold folio.
Who’s behind it: Nur Aliffah, 25, a retail manager who started Susley.co in 2020 as a thrift-flip project while studying at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE). The brand later shifted to selling beaded accessories before its line-up evolved again last year into stickers, notebooks and now customisable leather folios.
Where to buy: Available via pre-order or custom order through Susley.co’s Instagram.