SCUOLA DEL CUOIO -- PART 5

THE LEATHER SCHOOL IN FLORENCE'S

HISTORIC BASILICA SANTA CROCE

It was more than I’d normally pay for one bag, but worth every penny. 

Even the extra $75 import fee I had to pay Fed Ex upon delivery in Miami. 

Did I mention they embossed my initials in gold inside the bag?

And, oh yeah, the Basilica is the largest Franciscan church in the world.

It has sixteen chapels, many decorated with frescoes by Giotto. 

Brunelleschi built the inner cloister, which has a monument to Florence Nightingale.

It includes a relief of the Annunciation by Donatello. Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli are buried there, and it has a cenotaph dedicated to Dante.

You may want to check that stuff out, too.

http://www.scuoladelcuoio.com

Piazza Santa Croce, 16 (the more accessible way through the Church of Santa Croce)

Via San Giuseppe, 5/R (through the garden that surrounds the Apse)

Tel.: (+39) 055.244.533/4

info@scuoladelcuoio.com

SCUOLA DEL CUOIO -- PART 4

THE LEATHER SCHOOL IN FLORENCE'S

HISTORIC BASILICA SANTA CROCE

Once inside, the air is thick with the warm smell of leather. Students toil away with leather and sharp instruments. 

You won’t confuse the place with a tony Ferragamo boutique, but the goods are attractively displayed in glass cases, and they are dazzling.

Every style of clutch, hand, shoulder and cross-body bag you can imagine in shades of tangerine, mustard, fuchsia, russet, sage, aquamarine and more. 

Many are ornamented with stones, beads, shells and fancy hardware. I could barely contain myself.

Then I spied what I’d traveled across the ocean for: a gorgeous, red calf leather, triple section medium Kelly. 

Shiny hardware with the name “Scuola del Cuoio” in tasteful cursive. 

Removable shoulder strap.

I asked to see it. 

Played with the latch. 

Touched it.

Inhaled. 

Bought it.

FIRENZE FASHION CONTINUES TOMORROW -- 7-30

SCUOLA DEL CUOIO -- PART 3

THE LEATHER SCHOOL IN FLORENCE'S

HISTORIC BASILICA SANTA CROCE

After a few time-wasting detours into shops with attention grabbing, brightly colored bags obviously not made by Tuscan artisans (or by anyone on the European continent), a man (yes – a local married guy) suggested the Scuola del Cuoio – leather school.

The school is located adjacent to the Basilica di Santa Croce, a magnificent Franciscan church that broke ground during Dante Alighieri’s lifetime.

Here students learn the trade of crafting handmade bags and other items out of top quality materials, which are then offered for sale at affordable prices.

And I thought the golden era of religious miracles was long over.

You can enter the leather school from outside the building, or through the church. 

I chose the latter, since I’m a wheelchair user and that way posed fewer steps for bumping up or down. 

FIRENZE FASHION CONTINUES TOMORROW -- 7-30

SCUOLA DEL CUOIO -- PART 2

THE LEATHER SCHOOL IN FLORENCE'S

HISTORIC BASILICA SANTA CROCE

When my husband and I began planning a trip to Florence, Italy, I couldn’t wait to gaze upon Botticelli’s “Birth of Venus” and sample al dente pappardelle with wild boar ragu.

But I’m a die-hard fashionista. 

My focus is always unexpected bargains on beautiful things to wear and carry, including the occasional splurge.

Shortly after our arrival in Firenze, we took a stroll down Via Tornabuoni, and its side streets: the epicenter of Florentine haute couture.

Window shopping was delightful. I even summoned the courage to browse in the Pucci boutique. 

But even a modest purchase would have meant skipping a couple mortgage payments.

Not really an option.

So I quizzed several locals we made friends with. I asked about silk scarves, skirts and dresses. 

But the burning question was “where could I get a reasonable deal on a beautiful, well-crafted, Italian-made leather bag?”

FIRENZE FASHION CONTINUES TOMORROW -- 7-29

SCUOLA DEL CUOIO -- PART 1

THE LEATHER SCHOOL IN FLORENCE'S

HISTORIC BASILICA SANTA CROCE

By HJW

Every woman wants one: dreams of it, yearns for it. 

At times, it dances about in the periphery of the mind, a bit like Percival’s perpetual longing for the Holy Grail.

I’m talking about the Kelly bag: the crowing glory of every woman’s handbag collection. 

When you see a woman carrying one, you don’t have to wonder if she’s got a Designer A fabric mini-hobo or a Designer B microfiber mid-size shopper.

A Kelly bag is iconic.

Unmistakable. 

Gorgeous.

It implies good taste and an appreciation for the finer things, regardless of your socioeconomic status.

For the men reading this, it’s analogous to the payoff you get after years of saving up for that vintage Aston Martin.

The dreaminess when studying the chassis; the contentment sitting in the driver’s seat.

FIRENZE FASHION CONTINUES TOMORROW -- 7-28