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.

But wait, that’s not all from Campomaggi !

Campomaggi washed leather bags, which lean to a masculine or a unisex market, are being tamed with a feminine touch.  The Caterina Lucchi line from Campomaggi offers the same influence of large shapes, washed and/or distressed leather, comfortable forms and slightly bulky appearances but with the gentile touch of soft, supple colors often mirroring the delicious colors found in nature.  The Collection Spring 2012 plays with pastel shades as well as vibrant greens and yellows.

Philosophy : Dedicated to a woman with a strong personality that stands out from the crowd and is the protagonist of her life.

The collection plays with romantic notes and a gypsy-chic inspiration with an eye on the current trends and translate them into spacious and functional everyday bags.

Laser cut leather lace designs for summery touch

Experimentation of new concepts such as shoulder straps made of leather ring and the laser cuts giving a fresh summery feeling.  The front pocket has a leather lace cover that opposes the idea of a heavy bulky leather.

Whitened Vivid Colors in washed leather

They are bags with a distinctive character: rectangular shapes, patchworks and strong colors reminding of the 80´s are the marks of this collection, while whitened vivid colors are often interspersed with softer colors.

Leather ring shoulder straps for a lighter bag