All my products are entirely handmade by me, (no machinery involved AT ALL!). It would be much easier and faster (as well as much more precise) to use a sewing machine, instead of punching holes and sewing by hand; to cut the leather with a laser or clicker press, instead of doing it by hand; to use a dremel, instead of sanding and polishing the edges by hand...but in that way a considerable part of the "magic" would be lost. Every single piece I create is made from scratch and therefore is unique (and take several hours to be made), as is the leather by the way. My goal is for my products to last for generations and therfore all of them are lifetime guaranteed.

 

At the moment I don't take orders, due to lack of time. Only the products that you find here are available.

 

I use only Full-Grain Italian Vegetable-tanned leather for my products. Vegetable-tanned leather is processed the traditional way, using natural pigments, never chromium or other harsh chemicals. Chrome-tanned leather can cause allergic reactions. Veg-tan is much kinder on the skin. I know the tannery for each and every leather that i use. Most are multi-generational Tuscan family businesses who pour as much into their craft as I do. The origin of the leather is always indicated.  

 

No "genuine" leather here:

Products stamped with "genuine leather" or "100% cowhide" only need to technically come from an animal to earn this distinction. The vast majority of mass-produced leather products are pulped, laminated, and painted scrap leather. Don't waste your time with junk.

 

No "top grain" leather here:

Top-grain leather (often also called corrected-grain leather) refers to the uppermost layer of the animal hide, it also known as "fiore corretto" or "mezzo fiore" in Italian. Unlike Full Grain Leather, which contains the entire thickness of the hide, top grain leather undergoes a slight sanding or buffing to remove imperfections on the grain side. Despite the name it's a lower quality leather compared to the Full-Grain leather. I don't use it.

 

What is Full-Grain leather?

Full-Grain leather, or "pelle Pieno Fiore" in Italian, is the truest form of leather's potential. Full-grain leather represents the surface layer of the animal's epidermis (the one to which the hairs are attached), and which has not undergone particular processes that have altered its natural appearance. This material turns out to be the most natural of its category and knows no rivals in terms of quality. There is nothing better. Full-Grain leather retains its layers, giving it wonderful endurance and strength. I only use Full-Grain leather.

 

What is Vegetable-tanning?

Vegetable-tanning leather is an extremely old and revered method of treating hides, wherein fats, oils, and vegetable tannin extracts such as from the bark of the chestnut tree are thoroughly infused. This age-old process gives the leather deep, rich colors, mild water resistance, and wonderful patina that only gets better with age. All this while avoiding harsh chemicals that the vast majority of consumer leathers use for tanning. Vegetable-tanning is difficult. Time consuming. It takes 40 days to produce it (instead of 36/48 hours required to produce the Chromium-tanned leather), but...worth it.

 

What is Aniline leather finishing?

Aniline leather finishing is a type of leather dyed exclusively with soluble dyes. The dye colours the leather without producing the uniform surface of a topcoat paint or insoluble pigmented sealant, as on other leathers, and so retains the hide's natural surface. Hence, any visible variations on the surface of the undyed leather such as visible pores, scars, wrinkles or freckles will remain visible. It is the finishing par excellence. It makes the leather unique and natural. For this reason, only luxury best quality leather is suitable for Aniline finishing. Here any “defect” of the leather is treasure to watch and enjoy.

 

Why does Vegetable-tanned leather change color over time?

This is called "Patina"! Vegetable-tanned leather is famous for its ability to take on the shapes and colors of its every-day use. The leather will conform to your body and slowly change color and texture over time. Wear it like a badge of honor. 

 

Why all the hype about Italian leather?

The leather tanning process, in the "Distretto del cuoio" (an area in the province of Pisa), began in the XVIII century. The tanneries of Tuscany are strictly regulated and organized into the "Consorzio Vera Pelle Italiana Conciata al Vegetale", which safeguards the legendary quality of the region's leather crafters, complies with EU regualtion, has an environmental certification, the production process is metal-free, alla raw materials are natural, all tanneries are quality controlled and, most importantly, no animal is killed for its skin. This is not to say that tanneries around the world cannot be equally incredible, but there is truly something special about the centuries-old devotion to Italian leather.

 

What is "Burnishing"?

Burnishing is the process by which the rough and loose fibres at the edge of cut leather are compressed back into the leather to ensure a long-lasting, water resistence, shining and smooth finish to the product. It's made by applying heat and friction, in several stages, interspersed with the use of increasingly finer sandpaper and an apposite agent. I only use distilled water and "Toko " for this process. It takes very long time to burn the edges, but the result it's amazing. Dyeing the edges, in addition to hiding flaws in the cut or finish, can cause problems. For exemple when dyed edges of leather are rubbed, they can crumble or stain garments. I don't dye the edges of my products for those reasons. 

 

Which glue do I use?

I use only water base - non tossic glue.

 

Which thread do I use?

I use Vinymo or Ritza high quality thread. Superstrong. Superdurable.

 

Saddle stitching vs. Machine sewing. Which one is better?

Hand stitching is about more than just creating another product, it's an art. It takes 11 times longer to sew by hand than to sew by machine. Hand stitching is my only method for two reasons: craftsmanship and durability (and because this is the only way if you want to make a real "hand made" product).

There's something special about knowing that an actual person crafted each stitch of the wallet you're carrying in your pocket or on the strap you wearing on your wrist. It's the difference between receiving an handwritten letter and an email — both get the job done, but one has a more personal, human touch. 
Hand stitching uses a different technique than machine sewing. Hand stitching has roots stretching back centuries to ancient times, where it was used for its strength and durability in creating everything from clothing to armor. This technique has stood the test of time due to its unmatched ability to create robust and long-lasting seams. Because leather bends and softens over time, a stitch with some give and take to it will last longer than a machine stitch that could snap once the leather has been broken in. Unlike Machine sewing, hand sewing also requires punching holes for the thread to pass through. Punching holes by hand takes a lot of time and skill. They are done with tools called "Pricking Irons" or "Stitching Chisels".

 

Which stiching technique I use?  

The technique I use is called "Saddle stitching". This technique is characterized by the use of two needles working in tandem at both ends of a single thread. This thread runs on both sides of the leather, passing through on both sides. This means that if one thread breaks, the whole thing won't unravel; instead, it can be repaired and last even longer. Hand stitched leather goods also provide more flexibility than a rigid machine stitch. 

 

Why pores, small scratches, wrinkles or freckles are visible on the leather?  

Because leather is a natural product and tells the story of the animal (in particular if it is Aniline finished, nothing is covered by the dye). For example, if the cow scratched herself against the fence, the scar will be visible on the skin (just like it happens to us). Most people try to hide those "imperfections". I do the opposite, because i want the animal story to be told through my creations. "Imperfections" are what make the leather, and consequently the product, unique (IMHO). 

 

What should I use to take care of the leather?  

The leather will not need any care, it has already been nourished by me. After several years, if the leather begins to look and feel dry, here is what you need to do: buy  "Saphir Rènovateur" (I recommend it). Apply a small amount of the cream and massage the leather with your fingers. Wait a few minutes for it to partially absob and then brush the leather with an horsehair brush. After few minutes, when the cream has been completely absorbed, massage the leather with soft cloth to make it shine. That's it. 

 

If you are looking for something unique, something completely Handmade, something completely natual and something made with the best italian leather...you are in the right place.

 

For any further information, contact me via email, via Instagram or WhatsApp.