Posts Tagged lifestyle
Can you guess where we are going with this?
Posted by Pierotucci in Kids in Leather on March 19, 2013
As you walk around it seems that everything is hush hush, covered with dust cloths and dim lights. There are color new jacket and bag designers showing sketches and lots of leather swatches being passed around. The wheels are rolling and we are getting closer and closer to unveiling the end results.
It might seem slow in coming but we have been working up a storm here for our new presentation. Just thought we’d give you a sneak peek at some of the items that the Pierotucci Leather Factory will be featuring on opening day.
Maybe this photo will give you a hint at what it will be featuring.
What’s in Production today at Pierotucci?
Posted by Pierotucci in Italian Leather manufacturing, Toscanella on March 12, 2013
Each handbag goes through 4 phases before it can be checked at quality control, and packed up for storage in the warehouse.
First the leather, lining and in this case the canvas accents needs to be cut. Secondly, all cut pieces of leather need to be sealed, pressed, punched with holes and sanded down. Third on the list is the accessories for each bag need to be counted out, this includes the zips, the straps, the snaps and handles. The last step is the assembly of the bag – starting from the inside out – each bag is composed by putting together first the lining, then the leather casing and finally all accessories and name plates.
In this photo you can see Marina working on the outer panels of the our Toscanella canvas and Italian leather tote with removable shoulder straps.
Cultural mistake
Posted by Pierotucci in Fashion and Color, Out and about in Florence on March 7, 2013
I never been one much into fashion myself – I come from Miami where all we really need to go out is a pair of shorts, a t-shirt, flip-flops and a 2 piece …. my experience certainly didn’t include Paris Fashion Week. After college, my next stop was Europe on a student budget – so once again, shopping at Milan Fashion Week was not high on my list.
This little fact never really bothered me or even put me into serious ridicule. My friends and cohorts were in the same situation as myself – we didn’t have the $$ to spend of fashion and we just didn’t keep up with the “Kardashians”.
However, after deciding to prolong my visit to Italy, my new environment (namely my ex-boyfriend) made it quite clear that my lack of knowledge (and my dismal fashion sense) were definitely a hindrance in our relationship.
This is not my him, however if mine had looked like this . . . note he is sporting a jacket in panno Casentino
Nothing made this ever so evident as when I was finally introduced to his “best friend.” It was a bit of a big ordeal, because his friend lived a couple hours away with his new wife and child. And since this was definitely going to be a grown-up evening I was eager to put my best American foot forward. I was prepared to highlight my playful nature and sense of humor.
It was a pleasant evening all the way around – nice people, good food (in Italy when do you not eat well?), stimulating conversation – tons of questions about the USA and the president (who at the time was Regan – I think) - and a few fun moments cuddling the baby.
As we are walking out the door to start our long trek home (thorough woods and over the hills) I made a “humorous” that has haunted me ever since. Teasing my then boyfriend, his wardrobe came up and I told his friends that they should try and convince him to spend a few dollars (the ones he saved not going to a restaurant but eating at their house) and change out his winter coat – to make my point, I showed them how the one he had on had all those little balls that aged wool gathers.
Three adult turned to stare at me as if I had just insulted the Pope himself…grown three heads….and turned a dramatic shade of purple …. all at the same time!
Perhaps I really should have known better. Critic an Italian about their fashion sense … and then wouldn’t you know it? The material that was used to make his coat was the prestigious panno Casentino, prized for the curling tufs of wool on the surface – the very same which I had attempted to ridicule.
Note the rough texture – this is a distinct feature of panno Casentino.
It could be that since I was presently residing in the Casentino Valley, a small but very self sufficient area located approximately 45 km southeast of Florence they thought I would automatically know “la vita, morta e miracoli” of the area. For example maybe I should have known that the valley at one time was extremely famous for its wool production, in fact in the 1800′s the sheep count was 86,000 – more than triple the number of residents in this Italian valley. And … yes that’s right, maybe I should have known this was the birth place of the panno Casentino – a resistant and lightweight wool distinguished by these surface curls, the very thing that makes it water-resistant. Not only that, but maybe I should have known that it is well recognized among the Italians as a status symbol!
What I can say is that I now know all this (and so much more) - and even after 20 years, I have not forgotten that evening, the embarrassment and the many qualities of the panno Casentino.
In my attempts to tease this guy I wound up setting myself up to be the last laugh.
Tip 2: How to keep your Leather bag in shape when storing them away
Posted by Pierotucci in Leather Care Tips on December 3, 2012
I promise, this does not include any time spent on the treadmill or doing abs (unless you really want to). Taking care of your leather bag, handbag or briefcase is simple. Actually the most important steps you can take to safeguard the long life of your bag won’t even cost you a dime. Yet they can double the life of your leather bag investment! Last week, we spoke in detail on how to protect your purchase or gift in a protective cloth bag. Today we want to elaborate on how to store your leather bag or briefcase so that it keeps its shape.
Leather will fold and bend, and when stored for long periods of time will take on the form and creases of all that folding and bending. Therefore when slipping your leather item into the protective cloth bag provided with your Pierotucci item, be sure not to distort the natural flow of the item. Before slipping your bag into it’s protective cover, take the time to empty the bag completely and to stuff it with tissue paper. Use white or a neutral color paper so that you don’t risk any color transfer during the storage period. We suggest that you follow these simple steps to stuffing your bag to good health!
When stuffing the bag you should 1) bunch up a couple pieces of tissue paper in order to give the roll some thickness.
Lightly ball up a few sheets of tissue paper
2) Place them on a flat sheet of tissue paper and start to roll them up.
Use a flat sheet of white or a neutral colored tissue paper
3) Fold the ends of the tissue paper over the top to make the roll as long as the bag is wide – you are making this to fit into the base of the bag to help it keep its form, so in other words the roll you are making should be as long and wide as the bag itself.
The tissue paper roll should snuggly fit in the base of your bag
If the briefcase or handbag is divided into several sections then you should make the rolls seperately so that each section gets filled. You will create the height of the bag by making more rolls to fit in.
This form will fill in all four corners of the bag, make more to fill the height.
4) Gently stuff the rolls into your leather bag – there is no need to fill the bag too much, just enough that it will stand and look as if it were full – showing no creases or unnatural folds.
Once you have finished putting the paper in the bag you can slip it in to the protective cover and draw the strings closed. Be sure to store the bag free and clear of other objects that might push into the bag and change the form.
Change your look in 3 easy steps
Posted by Pierotucci in Leather Accessories, Leather Care Tips on November 30, 2012
If all things could be as easy as the interchangle belt buckle from Pierotucci. All it takes are three easy steps and you can change the color of your belt from a black calf leather strap to a dark brown leather strap. From formal to informal – with the flick of the wrist …
So here’s how you can change your look in three easy steps. First take your MADE IN ITALY belt buckle, available ineither a shiny gold or silver. The belt buckles come in two different styles, the classical buckle with the center prong or the panel buckle with a short prong used as a clip. The buckles shown to the right are both for 3 cm (1.18 inch) wide belts. This width is ideal for either formal or casual pants, though not normally indicated for jeans.
Arrow indicates released clamp for the leather strap.
Step one: Open the clamp at the end of the belt buckle. You may need to insert a sturdy knife or screw driver to pry the clamp open. Work it carefully so as not to scratch the leather beneath. Your MADE in ITALY gold or silver tone belt buckle with open, leaving the slot free and clear for you to pull leather strap out.
Now in most cases you can simply turn the belt around and change your look by going from black to brown. However, you might also have other color leather straps and as long as these straps are the same width as the open slot on the belt buckle, you can interchange them as many times or wasys as you would like.
Once slot is open you can take out and put in new strap.
Step Two: Extract the leather belt strap. Leave the clamp open and carefully slip the leather strap out, becareful not to scratch the strap on the open clamp. Select the new leather strap (or turn it over for the reversible color) and insert the leather strap.
Step Three: The last step is to close the clamp. It will require a little bit of pressure, if you are going to tap the clamp down with a small mallet, be sure to cover the belt buckle with a soft cloth so not to scratch it.
And wa – la you have now officially changed your look in three easy steps!
Belt Buckle with closed clamp.
Tip 1: Keep your leather handbag looking brand new
Posted by Pierotucci in Leather Care Tips on November 28, 2012
The most important thing to remember about your leather handbag or leather briefcase is that leather breathes – Marco Galli, our Italian leather craftsman will tell you è vivo or rather it’s alive. This means that it’s appearance is influenced by the environment in which it is used and stored. Any kind of leather, even those that are treated, will eventually absorb excess moisture and in doing so will change the appearance of your leather bag. Especially creating a problem with unwanted molds, smells and discoloration.
When your handbag, bag, briefcase or even a leather accessory is not in use it is best to store them in a soft cloth bag. Most top quality designer handbags such as Toscanella, Pierotucci and Fortunata come with a flannel-like bag with a drawstring closure.
If your handbag doesn’t have one of these bags, you can easily sew one together or as an alternative use an old pillow case. It is important that the bag is a neutral and/or fixed color so that there is no color transfer during the storage time. It is also imperative that it has a large enough opening so that it is easy to slip the bag inside and so there is no need to bend or fold the bag in an un-natural way during the storage.
If a protective cloth bag is not provided with your purchase, or if you don’t have the opportunity to make one yourself you can use a plastic bag. This option should always be considered temporary because a plastic bag does not allow for a constant free flow of air. However if you tie it with a loose knot and poke several small holes in the bag it will provide protection. The nature of a plastic bag is to contain the moisture, so as soon as a cloth bag is available for your leather handbag you should switch it over.
Though this is not the best storage option, it is possible to use a plastic bag with certain restrictions.
The handbag should be wiped down before putting it into the storage bag thus removing any lose dirt or moisture. Look at our Tip 2 for more detailed information on how to prepare the bag to be put into storage. If you store your leather bag with dirt you risk the possibility of color transfer. Some leathers are not as absorbent to color transfer, however vegetable tanned leathers, natural leathers, rawhide or suedes will easily absorb dirt and color and it can become permanent if not cleaned properly. Before storing your leather bag, it should also be emptied completely – especially of makeup, perfume, pens and pencils – all of which can leak or break and thus destroying the beautiful appearance of your leather handbag, briefcase or leather accessory.
The first step for properly caring for your leather bag, handbag, briefcase or leather accessory such as a pochette, wallet or belt is storing it correctly when not in use.
A soft, flannel like bag is the ideal method of storage. This allows for constant circulation of air keeping the bag dry.
Green with envy from Florence Italy
Posted by Pierotucci in Porselli on September 21, 2012
Cross Body Italian leather bags in a mix of vegetable tanned leather and a suede like canvans make a perfect match with Porselli Ballet Flats in beige leather
New on my Winter Wish List from Pierotucci and Italian designers
Posted by Pierotucci in FORTUNATA on September 21, 2012
Every season requires a total re-vamping of my wardrobe wishlist. I have been surfing all my fashion bloggers and signing over all my fashionista pinner friends and things just keep jumping out at me left and right. I always love the colors attached to fall, deep and rich with flavor, with sentiment and with texture. They are made to look warm, look cozy, look . . . bundly (is that even a word?)
There are so many things popping up online that – as the Italians would say -
c’è l’embarazzo della scelta – there are so many things to choose that I am spoiled!
Most things are just asthetically interesting, but truth be told (at this moment in my life) I have absolutely no place to be using them. In any case, I am a big advocate of dreaming for the future so here are a few things that I am adding to my Fall / Winter Wishlist.
All those feathers makes me think Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire
You so KNOW that you would never be taking these lovelies on an airplane ride!
On a more realistic note, this is a piece I could use today. The mix of textures between washed and suede, has me hooked.
I believe in Pink because its not just a color but
Posted by Pierotucci in Guest Writer, Italian Traditions and Culture on September 19, 2012
I think pink is a soft, sexy, romantic attitude.
Now that’s a mix between Audrey Hepburn, Miley Cyrpus and me! If you want to feel ultra feminine there are just a few things that fit the bill – dressing in pink, dressing in silk and dressing with diamonds are some of my requirements.
What do you look for when you want to dress feminine?
The Color Purple
Posted by Pierotucci in FORTUNATA, New Leather Jacket line on September 18, 2012
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€2,90 - forever21.com
€5,45 - shopbees.com
€53 - tarinatarantino.com
€23 - barneys.com
€46 - nordstrom.com
€4,94 - asos.com
Pierotucci Kids
Porselli Ballet Flats
Il Cuoio Collection
Toscanella Italian leather wallet
