When it comes to a handbag used every day, "good enough" is never actually good enough. A favorite clutch or tote should be perfect in every detail, from the color of the leather to the finish of the hardware. That's why friends and fellow Harvard Business School grads Laura Kofoid and Grace Tsao-Wu started Laudi Vidni: a handbag store where each customer gets to create her own perfect bag.

The process starts with a selection of 17 timeless and elegant designs, including totes, shoulder bags, cross-body bags, and clutches, with more options to be added this fall. Customers then choose from 40 types of leather tanned in the US or imported from Italy, each handpicked for its durability, beauty, and flexibility. Add a 100% cotton lining durable enough for everyday use, but delicate enough to feel soft to the touch. Finally, customers complete the look with hardware whose gold and silver finishes have been hand-brushed in Italy. For additional customization, optional zipper closures, straps, and other features can be added to many of the styles.

Laudi Vidni's easy-to-use website guides customers through the design process with videos, photographs, and life-like imaging. Every person on staff is a fully trained handbag expert, so style advice is only a call or email away. They say they won't let their customers design an ugly bag—a promise they back with a full return policy.