So I was recently in Italy sourcing leather and other materials for our collections and I wanted to share some of the trials, tribulations and exultations. Knowing this week in Italy was going to be an intense work experience, I decided to stay outside of any major city to try and make this visit somewhat of a “getaway” trip. NYC has been taking its toll on me and I desperately needed some country!


I found a little B&B in a little Tuscan town called San Clemente. Wow, amazing! Tuscany is a living landscape painting with great food and people. This was just what the doctor ordered except for the little fact that technology is not too prevalent. I barely found dial-up for my laptop, a little concern while trying to run a business!

Sourcing is one of the most enigmatic aspects of this business. If you’re interested in entering the world of fashion and starting a collection, you should devote as much a time as possible to finding reliable and consistent materials sources. This will save you from many headaches, sleepless nights and grey hair.


Bologna was holding their biannual leather fair and I made the trip up from Tuscany with my friend Christopher, who is an Italian native. I was just completely overwhelmed. The show was basically 6 to 8 aircraft hangers large, full of tanneries from all around the world, and stands dedicated to every type of materials for bags to clothing to shoes, from basic studs to high heels for pumps! Christopher helped guide me through the madness and introduced me to some really key people who showed me leathers that literally gave me goose bumps at the site and feel of them. Just amazing stuff. These introductions later transpired into some more in-depth meetings which took place all around Northern Italy, further opening my eyes and mind to places I otherwise would never venture. Every stop on this journey was a delight.

Fortunately, I was able to find time to walk through markets, explore old world towns, window shop and bask in the Tuscan sun all while whipping around in my “smart car,” a wild little thing designed by Swatch and Mercedes-Benz.

Hopefully these pictures bring some life to my words....

-Jesse


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