What is the Cuoio Collection from Florence Italy?

It seems almost impossible that the same supple leather that is used to make leather jackets and gloves can be applied to create rigid boxes for holding pens, business cards, cigars and reading glasses.  But using the antique traditions of the Cuoio Collection that have been passed down from father to son for generations, skilled artisans can create a hard sided box like a piece of art from cuoio leather. This is a tradition which can easily be dated back to Caterina de Medici  when she apparently  made these leather boxes “all the rage” in the 1500′s in Paris when she included them in her trousseau.

These boxes are examples of  beauty and skilled craftsmanship,  evident in the simple lines, the seamless appearance and the smooth texture of the leather.  Perhaps the most stunning aspect of these uniquely formed leather goods is that they are produced in exactly the same manner as they were over 50 years ago – no high tech, no fancy computers and no synthetic material or colors. Though some would be apt to mix the work of “pelleteria” – that is the cutting, assembling and sewing of leather bags, wallets and belts with that of “cuoio sagomato” – they would most certainly be making a gross error. The raw material may be the same – but the similarities definitely stop there.

+ The unfinished leather is cut to the predetermined size and is then soaked in water.

+ Then one edge of the leather will be thinned out so as to make a cleaner seal where the sides lap over on the final product.

+ Depending on the size and shape of the final product, the wet leather is then molded to a wooden form which is commonly called a “last” and tacked on with small nails or tied so that the leather stays in place.

What is a last?  It is a shoemaker’s model for shaping or repairing a shoe or boot.  But not only a shoemaker, it can be a model for shaping or repairing any type of leather article.

+ The leather is folded and smoothed over the form to make a snug fit and then the edges are glued together with a special glue mixed into a starch paste.

+ Once the leather is formed to the molds they are baked at low temps until thoroughly dried.

+ The now formed leather will be cooled and then the seals where they were glued together are washed to remove any excess glue. Any left over glue will alter the final color of the product.

+ Then the ropes are untied or the tacs are taken out and the dried leather is carefully pulled from the form. Excess leather is cut off at this time and now is the time when defining curves are added.

+ The leather case is now painted with the appropriate color. It is then smoothed with a heated roller and finished with a buffer until it shines.

+ The edges will then be sealed and the exterior of the object is painted and embossed with the Pierotucci name.

Parties, Champagne, and Dashing Men in Silk Ties

This time every year is always filled with all sorts of festivities. You have work functions, holiday parties, dinner parties, sales meetings, family gatherings, Christmas recitals, and who knows what else to RSVP to. I know just how hectic the holiday season gets especially when you’re trying to fit in work and shopping in between everything else that’s going on. But the one thing you don’t want to worry about is looking your best. Let’s face it, we all know that the better you’re dressed, the better impression you make. I don’t mean you have to go out and buy a $10,000 designer suit, I just mean it’s nice when people take a little pride in their appearance and generally people take notice.

Maybe it’s because I was a girlscout that I think it’s better to be prepared. So, prepare yourself this season. If you’re the guy that wears the “fun” Christmas tie with blubs that light up year after year or you know someone who does, help them out, maybe it’s time for a bit of an upgrade. I’ve heard a nice Italian silk tie can be fun too. What you wear can help you command a little more respect in the work place, have you looking quite dashing at this year’s holiday party, and just leaves an overall good impression. And besides all that, from a woman’s point of view, very much including my own, we love seeing men dressed up!

Neckties have a long history too, they date back hundreds of years to times of war where soldiers could often be seen wearing them as a symbol of a specific group they belonged to. The Romans were particularly known for this to be easily identifiable.

And nowadays, it’s not just women who have tons of options for their wardrobe either. For one, you can find several types of ties like the ascot tie, the bow tie, and the cravat. There are even matching handkerchiefs and pocket squares to accompany your choice. Plus, you can tie your necktie in a number of ways. From the traditional Windsor Knot to the well-known Atlantic Knot, which is notable for being tied backwards. See, the possibilities are endless.

For all those non-tie wearers or for those who rarely put one on, here’s a little cheat sheet for you. No sense in putting a tie on poorly; kind of defeats the whole point, doesn’t it? This demonstrates how to make the Windsor Knot in five simple steps. And if I can do it, simple it is.

So look sharp this Holiday season and add that Italian silk tie to your jeans and dress shirt or your three piece suit to look more dapper than ever.

New Winter Colors for Pierotucci Italian Handbags

Deep rich jewel colors are showing up in the Pierotucci ladies Italian leather handbag collections and here are some of the first images.  This leather is a top calf with a rough finish to it dyed in natural colors, like green, gray and chestnut.  These colors are new for winter 2013 and will be available in limited quantities.  Check out our site for more information.

Porselli and the Italian World of Dance

Plie, first position, second position, third position…if you’re a dancer or feel inspired by it, or even better yet, if you are passionate about dance and fashion, look no further. To all my dancers around the world, especially ballet, I have one word for you, Porselli. Porselli, one of dance’s most well-known gems, is an Italian brand that handmakes a number of dance related items.

I too, love to dance but in no fashion would I call myself a dancer, however, it doesn’t stop me from admiring or even pining over the whimsical leather ballet flats that Porselli makes. Maybe I’m not a dancer but when I put a pair of these dance inspired ballet flats on I feel like leaping through the air.

With such an array of colors ranging from the more traditional black, pink, and beige, to light pastel colors resembling spring, like sky blue and lavender, there is a color for every occasion. Besides the fact that these artisan ballet flats are pretty in pastel they’re also handmade in Italy using 100% Italian leather from heel to toe. With nearly 100 years of experience, Porselli is a name you shouldn’t forget!

Caro Asserpentato…Caterina Lucchi

Caterrina Lucchi Fall and Winter bags are in and as the saying goes here in Tuscany, “caro asserpentato”.

There are many ways to express yourself in Italy. There are hand gestures flying about on a regular basis, all sorts of facial expressions, hello and goodbye kisses from cheek to cheek, not to mention the slang and funny sayings the Italians have. But these things just add to the reasons why we love and adore Italy and the Italians.

Getting back to “caro asserpentato”, this is an old Tuscan “modo di dire” or saying originating from the fact that reptiles skins, even way back when, were something to be desired and typically more valued and considered more precious than others. Nowadays the Italians use it to express something that is exclusive and if you combine exclusivity with python you get a beautiful handmade Italian leather handbag by Caterina Lucchi.

The new Fall and Winter Collection is one of a kind. One style, which is made in two sizes, comes in both auburn orange and a gray-blue. This style, in orange for example, boasts a canvas base with an array of rustic orange colored leather work on the front of the bag and the larger one even has a unique external leather cell phone pocket on the backside.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And my personal favorite is the larger Senape colored tote with frilled, zipper leather detailing on the front of the bag. This too, comes in a smaller clutch version, both which can be worn with an optional cross body strap.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s all in the details with Caterina Lucchi. Between the original vintage coloring, the washed leather, and feminine deatils, you won’t find handbags like these anywhere else.

The Wonderful World of Campomaggi in Color

Campomaggi is breaking into color with a new style of bags that combine a vintage look with a touch of edge. Stepping out into the wild world of color, this new line up consists of vibrant and  less common shades but still reminiscent of Campomaggi’s unique and unrecognizable style.

Check out this tote for example. In comes in a grass green and an earthy wine color with a worn, vintage look and studded detailing along the top edge of the bag. Fashion forward, vintage yet modern and in fantastic colors, this bag is without a doubt the tote of the season.

And everything is coming up Florals for Spring / summer 2012

Everywhere you look, you can find proof of spring, especially in the fashion runways and off runway models. Floral prints in pants, shirts, totes and handbags are popping all over just like daisies in an uncut lawn. The characteristics are all the same, busy prints and often what looks like clashing combinations with bright colors.  Large flowers with pastel colors to them . . .

Digitally printed on to lambskin, for a floral explosion on nappa leather made in to shoulder totes . . .

Combinations of busy floral in bright colors draw the eye . . .

Sometimes its a mix of fantasy designs and floral accessories . . .

Even the mini crossbody bag is in the picture, a delightful handsfree solution to all this spring activity . . .

Send us your favorite floral wardrobe piece – is it a skirt, pants, a bag, or shirt ?

It’s not just what you wear, but how you wear it.

Here are three new hits for Fall Winter 2012.  I see that  its all about men in black leather, and I must say I am enjoying every angle of it.   We all know that black is a basic and that leather is a basic – and to put the two together is a winning combination.  I have seen hints of this every which way I look starting with , Dominic Louis who shows color mixed with the basic black, as well as side buckles at the waist.  Casual yet not too much.

Pierotucci leather pants are cut like Levi jeans with the double top stitching, back pockets and belt loops. These pants can be customized to fit your figure and … color if you would prefer to go gray or dark brown.

YSL uses leather throughout the entire Winter 2012 collection – and since I am a bit partial to leather you will find I am a bit partial to this look.  Very Elegant with the added accessories – vest, top coat and I love the shoes.

Weekend Excursion included pizza with mozzarella di bufala

Saturday was a beautiful day in Firenze, possibly a bit windy but still sunny and delicious.  A hop into town on our motorino and we were strolling along the Arno river admiring the warm rays and the exceptionally low water line.

In town we stopped in at Enoteca / Wine Bar Cantinetta dei Verrazzano for a piece of yummy warm foccacia with artichokes and ham, a glass of wine and a little atmosphere before heading over to the cinema to see the French film “Intouchables”.  After a refreshingly fun movie in the late afternoon, our tummies were longing for a good pizza and a glass of beer (or two).  So we picked up our motorino and weaved through the streets of Florence.  It appears nothing is more difficult then getting into a good pizziarea at 8:30 PM on a Saturday night! Sure there are tons of places – but well, since we were out we wanted something really good not to just settle for any ol’pizza…

We finally left the motorino so we could infiltrate the narrow roads of the city center.   I can quite honestly say that we worked up even more an appetite walking from one place to another till we finally just decided to wait it out at our first choice, FLB (Fratelli La Bufala).  Two cold beers, Roma beating Palermo in soccer and two hot pizzas later we were “sazia” (happily stuffed).  I had a pizza with provolone, anchovies, cherry tomatoes and black olives and he had a Capriciossa…which means that just about anything goes.  We didn’t want to exaggerate, however if we did I would have gone for our neighbors starter – a caprese with fresh tomatoes, basil and fried mozzarella!

After a pizza (come Cristo commando) we walked the streets in search of a bit of gelato … for me at least, DH stuck to his cigar.  And I gave in and went to Grom.  I say I gave in because, I have a hard time imagining how an authentic Italian gelateria can have a name which appears so anglo-saxon.  As luck would have it, my timing was perfect and there were no lines AND when I showed just a little indecision (very unusual for me  in front of chocolate ice cream) they practically insisted that I taste another 3 flavors before making my final decision.  I experimented this time with caffè espresso (very caffè and very little sugar, undecided if I like it) and Crema di Grom (an egg cream base with cookies and chocolate chips).

While making our way back to the motorino (and to brace ourselves for a chilly trip home) we window shopped for shoes and the new collection of leather jackets. Mostly for him, since his B-day is right around the corner and I  would like to surprise him.

All in all it was a beautiful night great company, lovely weather, fun film, good food and no cost shopping, it couldn’t have gotten much better – except for the near full moon which illuminated the countryside as we bumped back to our humble abode in Chianti.

What’s in it for you?

What’s in it for you?  Well, you will just have to check out the 2012 Pierotucci iPad Case Collection to find out, but I can assure you we are loaded with surprises for all who participate.

Our designers would have to have their head in the sand not to notice the increasing request for iPad and Tablet cases and sleeves.  In fact, we have already indicated that many of our existing bags are perfect choices for carrying this ever important electronic appendage from place to place,  but we cant ignore that many are looking for a case or sleeve that is ad hoc for their technological companion.    Something that is quality, practical, safe and Made in Italy, something like our new iPad case collection.

Have a peak at the link below and tell us what you think about our first proto-types!

Pierotucci iPad Case Collection