How to Create an Italian Christmas Using Wine, Grapes, and Deep Bordeaux

When you think of Christmas, I’m sure you must think of red and green. I certainly do! But don’t let the idea of using different colors scare you off. Be adventurous, take your favorite color, and turn it into your Christmas theme this year. Everywhere I look Florence is filled with shades of purples and burgandy. The first and most important reason, which I’m sure any Italian and more specifically, any Florentine, would tell you, is because of their football (soccer) team, Fiorentina. People literally bleed purple over here and I am not exaggerating. I mean you can even see police on duty running down the streets in a panic into open bars and cafes that are playing the match on game day when screams and cheering are heard. Ok, well I won’t get carried away, back to my point. Bordeaux shades of deep reds and purples are everywhere you look in Tuscany from the wine, to sports, to Italian Leather. It’s a color that fits this area well and brings a certain type of richness to everything. So why not bring that richness to your home this year. Try something different and have a real Tuscan Christmas. Hanging grapes from your tree, although I don’t reccommend real ones, and wine ornaments will have all your friends talking. Get reinspired this Christmas and decorate however and with whatever you see fit.

Wishing You A Very Merry Christmas From Pierotucci!

20% Off Holiday Handbags From Italian Designer Caterina Lucchi

Holiday Handbags specials are in. It’s that time of year again and my colleague and I have put our heads together to get you 20% off the amazing leather handbags by Italian designer Caterina Lucchi. Find 20% off all Caterina Lucchi handbags this weekend from December 7th through December 10th. Take a peak at this years collection and put one of these handmade Italian leather handbags on your Christmas wishlist or better yet, give one as a gift.

Happy Holidays From All of us at Pierotucci!

Battle of the Sexes, Campomaggi vs Caterina Lucchi

In one corner we have Italian designer Marco Campomaggi, in the opposing corner we have Italian designer Caterina Lucchi. Yes, it’s true, not only are these two very talented Italian handbag designers but they’re also husband and wife. While their handbags do share some similarities, for the most part, they each have a very distictive style that can’t be mistaken. So who do you prefer, Campomaggi, a vintage looking collection that uses washed leather and natural colors, typically more unisex in style or Caterina Lucchi, a handbag line unmistakably feminine that combines washed leather in an array of unique colors?

Campomaggi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Caterina Lucchi

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.

Italian Craftsmanship: The Dying Art of Italian Woven Leather Bags

Many of you bag lovers are probably fairly familiar with Bottega Veneta, and if not, they are the leading premier designer label that produces soft woven leather bags. Cosci, a lesser known company, started creating the signature leather weave bags before Bottega Veneta became a premier name in fashion. Many Cosci bags have the same style of woven leather, and apart from in vogue designing, the art of weaving soft leather strips into magnificent bags is relatively the same. Cosci designs are nothing if not a testament to classic lines of timeless handbags. I think Hermes, leader in luxury handbags, would agree that nothing is more important than a clean line and good structure. Cosci has combined these basic fashion principles with Nappa lambskin leather woven by the dwindling number of leather artisans whom have kept their family’s pride and secrets for generations.

 Recently, the Cosci label and factory have been acquired by the Gucci Group, the fashion subsidiary company who also owns Bottega Veneta, and no longer produces high quality bags under the Cosci label. Fortunately for woven leather handbag lovers, Pierotucci was given exclusive rights to the remaining stock of the factory. We are the only authorized retailer of Cosci bags, and are excited to debut Cosci’s Italian leather basket line!

 Cosci’s leather basket line is innovative, and utilizes many techniques of basket weaving that are not present in previous designs. The Vacchetta calfskin used is a stiffer leather, which makes the new line not only more durable, but also lends to the actual feel of straw baskets. The line comes in a variety of different designs and shapes, as well as colors. The strap drop for the majority of the bags is approx. 22.4″, so if you do not like your bag tucked tight under your arm, these bags will give you the space and freedom you want. They are also perfect for using as a cross body bag!

 The vintage lining used in the Italian woven leather basket line also adds the quintessential finish to Italian craftsmanship. Combine classic clean lines, high quality leather, Italian artisan production, and vintage lining, and you get a timeless bag sure to be treasured and used for a lifetime!

 Please click on the thumbnails below to enlarge for a more detailed view.

…from the past collection sometimes you just found something really new! Classic line but great materials that now you cannot find. Goat leather, great nylon and metal studs!!!