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World famous for leather goods (Florence was already famous in the fourteenth century for tanning and leather processing) and for its ancient artisan tradition, Tuscany is the cradle of brands celebrated all over the world and still today a place of production of international luxury brands.
But in addition to fashion houses like Gucci – founded in 1921 in Florence and still closely linked to his hometown – Pucci and Salvatore Ferragamo – which moved to Florence in 1927 and whose museum is located in Palazzo Spini Feroni, the historic headquarters of the company – exist independent realities and less known that, thanks to a wise reinterpretation of tradition, are making their way onto the international market.
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Collecting the legacy of Florentine high craftsmanship are handbag brands such as Iacobellawhich starts from the skin to give life to its own aesthetics, making it the starting point of its production: a noble material chosen as an emblem of longevity, assembled almost entirely by hand and often obtained from waste from large productions or stocks; Frenzlauerwhich makes its own bags handcrafted with the best quality leathers carefully selected and certified by the Leather Working Group (LWG); And Les Petits Joueurswhose shoes and bags from Tuscany reach the most glamorous wardrobes around the world.
Then there are haute couture brands, such as the historian Loretta Caponi who, from his atelier in the heart of the city, in Via dei Tornabuoni, made himself known throughout the world. And the youngest Gioia Bini, of the homonymous designer who creates his clothes – entirely hand-sewn in Tuscany – with luxurious fabrics selected in the most exclusive textile manufacturers in Italy. And Caftanii Florenceof the sisters Ginevra and Ludovica Fagioli, who in addition to Florence have Versilia as a source of inspiration.
We will tell you ten, in the gallery below: timeless clothing and accessories collections that combine tradition and innovation, high quality materials and local production. 100% made in Italy, in some cases entirely made in Tuscany, and therefore also eco-sustainable.
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1/10Gioia Bini
The designer Gioia Bini realizes her first clothing collections in 2016. To create her clothes she takes inspiration from her circle of friends, artists and photographers and from her city: Florence. Of her His collections are timeless, feminine and eco-sustainable. Gioia, in fact, uses recycled fabrics, rare and luxurious, selected in the most exclusive Italian textile manufacturers, and its pieces are sewn entirely by hand in Tuscany.
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2/10Shaft
Born in France in 1968, Shaft has been taken over since 2004 by the Tuscan Francesca Bacci. The archive brought from France becomes the starting point for a repositioning of the brand that makes Made in Italy its strength and Florence its headquarters. THE denim garments – from entirely Italian production – they are characterized by advanced production techniques, but also by a return to tradition that is expressed in hand-made embroidery and hand-painted denim. The MIA collection (pictured) is an inclusive jeans line made with a particular stretch fabric able to adapt to any silhouette.
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3/10Iacobella
It is 2019 when Iacobella Gaetani, returning from a trip, decides to devote himself to the realization of a new project that will bear his name. The idea comes from one mochila Colombian made, somewhat by chance, in four hands with an artist on a beach in Rio. It is the first, true prototype of Iacobella bags and contains within itself what will become the hallmarks of the brand: the leather, tenacious and robust, handmade stitching that defy time and a quartz that – together with others natural stones and crystals – characterizes the closures of the brand’s bags, together with a decorative element and lucky charm with energetic powers. Crucial in the production process of the Florentine company is the processing of leather: a noble material chosen as an emblem of longevity, assembled almost entirely by hand and often obtained from waste from large productions or stocks, thus contributing to a production that is as circular as possible. Season after season, fabrics, velvets and raffia have been added to the leather, in an ever wider variety of color combinations.
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4/10Frenzlauer
From the desire to create a simple but sophisticated bag, chic and functional at the same time, Frenzlauer was born, founded in 2013 by the Tuscan designer Francesca Neri in Florence. All Frenzlauer creations are Made in Italy, handcrafted with the best quality leathers carefully selected and certified by the Leather Working Group (LWG). Each phase of the process respects the highest standards of ethical production, social responsibility and environmental impact. Timeless bags designed to last a lifetime.
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5/10Caftanii Florence
Behind Caftanii Firenze are the creative minds of Ginevra and Ludovica Fagioli, two young sisters who were born, live and work in Florence. At the heart of the project the caftan, more than a garment to wear a way of life – casual, relaxed, but at the same time chic. To inspire the two designers is not only Florence, but also the rest of Tuscany, where their garments are produced, and in particular the Versilia, a place of the heart in which they set all their photographic campaigns.
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6/10Superduper
Founded in Florence in 2011, Superduper was immediately appreciated for its reinterpretation of the Italian artisan heritage, winning, in 2013, the award Who is on Next? in the male category, with special mention in the female category. Produced in 72 hours by a team of young artisans, Superduper hats can be purchased to order.
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7/10Ilio Emerald
Each Ilio Smeraldo shoe is handmade in Tuscany by local artisans, and is distinguished by a fake emerald (hence the name) set in the sole. But what makes the brand’s collections special – born in 2020 from an idea of the Florentine entrepreneur and designer Barbara Borghini, former founder of Gia Borghini – are above all the collaborations, born in the name of sisterhood and female empowerment. Each collection is born from the encounter with other creative women. In addition, 10% of the sales recorded on the brand’s e-shop is donated to the Fiorenzo Fratini Foundation to support young people suffering from psychological disorders.
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8/10Loretta Caponi
Founded in 1967, the Loretta Caponi brand is renowned for its luxury lingerie and summer dresses. The garments are handcrafted, and haute couture craftsmanship is evident in the intricate chain stitch embroidery and delicate lace. Visiting the atelier, located in the heart of Florence, is an experience in itself: its 850 square meters in Via Tornabuoni are characterized by frescoed vaults, paintings, sophisticated sofas and furniture, six changing rooms and a delightful winter garden.
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9/10Shame
Dresses that reveal, making the body elegantly sensual, shorts and leather jackets, bustiers and bodices, cascades of tulle. The aesthetic of Verguenza comes from the Seventies-inspired contamination, American glam, a breath that comes from the East and a palette of bright colors. Behind the brand – which means shame in Spanish – is the 24-year-old Florentine Sofia Marsili. 100% Made in Tuscany, with a cosmopolitan vision.
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10/10Les Petits Joueurs
Founded in Florence in 2013 by Mariasole and Andrea Cecchi, the brand immediately stood out for its mix of glamor and fun – famous bags decorated with Lego bricks. Color, geometric lines e joie de vivre are the ingredients of the bags and shoes designed by Mariasole, and produced in Italy, destined to reach the most glamorous wardrobes around the world.
Source: Vanity Fair
