14
June
2022

THE PERFECT BUSINESS LEATHER BAG

The business bag is one of the most sought after items, both by men and women, for its convenience in organizing useful tools for every type of work and for the status and elegance that attaches to the wearer.

To overcome this request, Florence Leather Market has created a collection of business bags with different types of models so as to be able to satisfy all the tastes of customers.

WHAT FEATURES SHOULD A BUSINESS BAG HAVE?

The indispensable features for a good work bag are not many.

The purchase must be made mainly following three criteria:

QUALITY

Surely the quality of the leather and its processing play a fundamental role.

Florence Leather Market uses only genuine leather worked by hand and tanned in Italy, this guarantees a long life product thanks to the 100% made in Italy quality.

COMFORT

When you buy a business bag you must always remember that it is a work object, therefore, it must be practical and functional.

Florence Leather Market equips each bag with pockets (inside and outside) and various compartments so that you can put inside the right space everything you need on the job.

PRACTICALITY

All the business bags offered by Florence Leather Market are characterized by attention and care detail.

The rounded leather handles help to soften the grip and some models have a removable and adjustable shoulder strap perfect to handle the weight in longer.

WHAT MODELS ARE AVAILABLE? /WHAT ARE THE MODELS?

The business bags proposed by Florence Leather Market are the best both in terms of quality and for the wide choice of models and colors that is offered. Each person will have the incredible opportunity to opt for the preferred material, necessary size and style that they most prefer.

Elegant, durable and high quality, each model allows you to express your own lifestyle. All made of genuine leather, polished and vegetable tanned, in Italy!

Among the offers you can find hard or soft leather bags, two/ three compartments, notebook holder, briefcase model, folder and many other models… finding the business bag that best suits your tastes will be very easy!

Functional, professional, innovative design, the business bags offered by Florence Leather Market are a certainty for anyone.

So choose with confidence among the many models of business bags that you find in our wide catalog!

THE RIGHT COMBINATION

All models of business bags offered can be combined with our accessories: wallets and belts!

As you already know, elegance and style go hand in hand, so adding and combining the leather accessory carefully crafted by craftsmen in the industry will make you impeccable!

On our site you can find a wide selection of belts (woven, solid and double-face) able to match multiple different outfits, making you stand out with style and elegance.

In addition to the belts, Florence Leather Market has created different models of wallets, differentiating them in size, shape and closure but always maintaining the same unsurpassed quality that distinguishes the manufacture and the selection of the best materials.

Come and visit our store in Florence and keep following our social media!

7
June
2022

FROM HISTORICAL GUIDE TO FLORENTINE CRAFTSMANSHIP: LEATHER GOODS

THE ARTS IN FLORENCE: WHAT ARE THE ORIGINS?

Florentine leather goods

The artisanal tradition of leather manufacturing was born in Florence almost a thousand years ago and it is still famous all over the world.

Leather processing has always had a consistent impact on the political and economic life of the city of Florence.

THE ARTS IN FLORENCE: WHAT ARE THE ORIGINS?

In the middle of 1100 began to form the first guilds of artisan who were then called Arts, among the minor Arts those that had more relevance were the Art of the Beccai, dedicated to slaughterhouses and the Art of the Cuoiai and Galigai dedicated to tanning and producing leather.

SOME CURIOSITIES…

The word “Art” derived from the Latin “Ars” which meant “physical and mental ability to build something”. This word gives an idea of what the Florentine masters did: ability to create, shape and adapt, all skills that were and still are indispensable to be a Florentine craftsman.

The famous Italian saying “Impara l’arte e mettila da parte” refers to the importance of knowing and learning a trade and then treasure it.

Both Arts were naturally in close contact with each other.

The Art of the Beccai sold leather and the Cuoiai worked leather for their creations. Located both upstream and downstream of the Ponte Vecchio where the skins were soaked in the Arno, their location became a problem later…

HISTORY OF POLITICS AND CREATION

In the sixties of 1500, the political power of Florence was in the hands of the Medici family.

A few years after the regency, Grand Duke Cosimo I De Medici decided to build with his trusty architect Giorgio Vasari the famous Vasari corridor, right near the Ponte Vecchio.

THE LEATHER ARTISAN WERE DRIVEN OUT FROM PONTE VECCHIO

The royal family, horrified by the smell of processing meat and leather in the whole area of the Ponte Vecchio, decided to move the Art of the Cuoiai and Beccai, near Piazza Santa Croce, occupying two streets that today have taken the name of Via delle Conce and Via dei Conciatori.

The place of the Cuoiai was taken instead by luxury jewelers and goldsmiths who are still in Ponte Vecchio and nearby areas.

CONTEMPORARY ARTISAN

In Florence the craft was taught in the workshops, where the master artisan taught the youngest all the techniques and secrets of leather processing, which have been handed/passed down from generation to generation.

This tradition is still alive today. Florence and its artisans are known and esteemed for the craftsmanship of the leather and the quality of the products.

Walking through the city, our attention is immediately captured by the artisan shops that make all the streets smell of leather.

The shop windows abound with items but surely at FLORENCE LEATHER MARKET, one of the oldest markets in Tuscany, you will find the best models regarding bags and accessories in REAL LEATHER!

CRAFTSMANSHIP, QUALITY AND STYLE

Florence Leather Market carries on the Florentine tradition, you will find a vast selection of genuine leather items, the result of the best Made in Italy craftsmanship: genuine leather bags suitable for all occasions, leather travel bags, messenger bags, clutches, handbags and shoulder bags, and luxury genuine leather accessories to complete your style.

At Florence Leather Market you can find the right accessory for you and the true Made in Italy quality!

Visit our e-commerce and follow us on our social media!

28
May
2022

The sectors of the Italian leather industry

How Leather is Made

Today, the tanning and working of leather is much more complicated than it was in the days of those malodorous mediaeval tanneries along the Arno. In fact, the production and sale of leather products in Italy is an extraordinarily complex topic that touches culture, history, fashion, economy, and the very core of Italian self-identity. In order to grasp this complicated world of Italian leather, it helps to think about the industry as divided into three tiers:

Industrial

Industrial:The industrial sector employs tens of thousands of workers and represents a major force in Italy’s economy. Many of the Italian leather jackets, purses, belts, gloves, and shoes carried in chic apparel shops around the world are produced in enterprises concentrated outside of Florence. The hides are prepared in small to medium-sized firms across Tuscany, with a concentration of such companies scattered between Florence and Pisa. Many of the items you see in the leather shops or pelletterie of Florence were made in these medium-sized industrial enterprises in the Tuscan countryside and distributed to the shops via wholesalers.

Luxury-branded

Luxury-branded:These leather goods are intended for resale in the boutiques of some of the most recognized Italian luxury brand names in the international fashion world. Here’s where things get complicated, since much of the perceived value of the luxury leather brands lies in the selection and treatment of the raw materials, as well as in the craftsmanship behind each finished piece. Many luxury companies subcontract at least some aspects of production to those companies in the industrial sector—the same ones who make leather for cars and sofas. They may outsource the procurement and preparation of hides, as well as the cutting and stitching of bags, jackets, skirts, dresses, gloves, and other items. On the other hand, most of the luxury brands also make sure that certain signature items are hand-finished in house by skilled artisans. For the most part, it’s accurate to view these luxury-branded items as a hybrid of industrial and artisanal production, as the fundamental business of these luxury companies relies on selling well-made, high-quality products on a large scale.

Artisanal

Artisanal:Last but not least are the individual artisanal leather producers. Florence boasts many of these unsung masters of leather, and it’s worth the effort to seek them out for their beautiful pieces, as well as the opportunity to watch them work. Here the focus is less on the preparation of hides and more on the craftsmanship of cutting, fitting, sewing, stitching, and hand-finishing a custom work. Today, fully handcrafted leather production in Florence focuses on bookbinding and the making of small objects such as boxes and desk sets. One such example you can see at Legatorio il Torchio di Erin Ciullaat Via de’ Bardi, 17. There are, however, a handful of leather artisans making gloves, shoes, bags, and other fashion accessories completely by hand, our personal pick is the historical Via Ferdinando Bonaventura Moggi, 11, 50127 Firenze FI.

Come and visit our store in Florence and keep following our social media.

14
May
2022

3 tips to take care of your leather bag

A quality leather bag is the product of centuries-old tradition performed by skilled artisans: so treat it right. No, you don’t have to baby your leather, but you may need to brush up on proper leather bag care. Your top 3 concerns ought to be cleaning, how to condition, and how to store your leather bag. Here are a few tips we’ve learned along the way:

LEATHER BAG CARE IN 3 STEPS

SUPPLIES:

– Soft, clean cloth

– Leather cleaner

– Leather conditioner

– Parchment paper or bubble wrap

– Dust bag (or pillowcase)

HOW TO CLEAN YOUR LEATHER BAG

Be sure you’re cleaning your leather bag with clean hands. Leather bags are susceptible to absorbing grease and oil.

Do a quick cleaning every other day, briskly sweeping your leather messenger bag, business bag or backpack with a soft, dry, or slightly damp cloth. (Do not use too much water; leather takes time to dry.)

Once or twice a year, do a more thorough cleaning to remove dirt buildup. Wipe down your leather bag with a cleaner made specifically for leather. Apply in a circular motion, and wipe off with a slightly damp cloth to avoid clogging the pores of the leather.

HOW TO CONDITION YOUR LEATHER BAG

Leather conditioner is like a moisturiser for your leather bag. Without it, the leather will dry out over time.

To prevent flaking and wrinkling, apply leather conditioner to a soft cloth and gently rub over entire bag.

Depending on the dryness or humidity in your climate, apply conditioner at least twice a year, up to once a month or so, to keep your leather bag soft and supple.

STORING YOUR LEATHER BAG

Stuff your leather handbag with bubble wrap or parchment paper (but not newspaper, as it will smear) to restore and hold its shape.

Place your stuffed leather bag in its original dust bag, and then store in its original box, along with silica gel packets to avoid dampness.

Air your leather bag once every two weeks to prevent mould growth.

CAUTION

Take care to not let water absorb into the leather. If your handbag or jacket gets very wet, wipe off excess moisture as soon as possible. Do not dry the leather with a hairdryer; let it air dry, and then apply a leather conditioner.

Do not use cleaning products that contain alcohol, as these will dry out and possibly discolour your leather purse or bag.

MORE TIPS

Our leather bag care recommendations apply whether you’re working with a leather handbag, leather purse, or leather jacket. As long as your cleaner and conditioner are formulated for real leather, you’re all set.

You don’t need to baby your leather bag but be aware that heavy exposure to the elements will age the leather dramatically. Adjust your leather care and cleaning habits accordingly.

If you want to receive more information about your leather, follow our blog and our social media.

7
May
2022

Introducing the Emily bag: The new floral bag by Florence Leather Market

“Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking.” It’s one of the most iconic quotes in fashion cinema.

Uttered in an unamused, flat tone by Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada, the phrase has seared itself onto the collective fashion consciousness. The first time I heard her stern words, I purged every flowery outfit in my wardrobe, terrified to be deemed basic by my peers.

Since then, I’ve learned that the print doesn’t automatically ban me to sartorial Siberia. On the contrary, there’s a reason why it returns like clockwork every spring/summer season. But while florals do belong in our hot-weather wardrobes, this season Nordic and international designers alike have introduced the print for summer. And it’s not just any florals they’re focusing on; this season, it’s all about the granny florals.

Borrowing for your nan isn’t exactly new. Over the last couple of seasons, we’ve seen a surge of pearls, cardigans, silk scarves and loafers. The aesthetic – arguably brought on by Gucci’s styling – is the very best remnant of the 1980s exuberance, the very essence of granny chic.

The print is distinctive, to say the least. Daintily dotted petals in muted colours clustered together in a repetitive pattern. It’s the print you grew up with on your granny’s wallpaper, on her table cloth – even on her housecoat.

Emily

Introducing the Emily bag

So, if the floral is in fashion why not buy a bag with a floral print? Yes, why not? Today we want to introduce you to Emily- the ideal handbag

Sometimes the best things in life come about as a result of an afterthought, and such is the case with Florence leather Market’s botanical-print Emily bag, a late addition to her Resort 2022 collection. “Florence leather Market was looking at gardening books from the fifties and found these old botanical drawings and was very inspired by them,” they explain. “They became a bold part of our spring collection, and then we adapted the print into the Emily bag for this season.” We love the idea of a floral-embellished tote to carry us through the happiest summer months.

Emily is a handbag with modern and original details. The bag is made of shiny crust leather that makes it an indispensable accessory in the wardrobe of all women.

Attractive design

Emily is characterised by functional details and details.

This bag can be combined with outfits very different from them, and the high quality of the materials used in its construction make it resistant to time and wear.

This one lands in the Florence leather Market Florence store the week of May 13 (just in time for the holidays), but it can be pre-ordered now.

Hurry up! don’t miss this opportunity !!

THE PERFECT BUSINESS LEATHER BAG

WHAT FEATURES SHOULD A BUSINESS BAG HAVE?