Pursuing the Authentic

I remember two things from my first trip to Italy as a 14 year old boy.

My Dad’s excitement to be there and the way he talked about Italian eggs leading up to the trip. Let me explain.

No one loves Italy more than my Dad, or so I thought. He and his father had traveled to Northern Italy every summer on the tail-end of fabric buying trips for their company and his love for Italy was equal parts nostalgia and familiarity.

He often spoke of many of the foods that simply could not be replicated outside of Italy. I was anxiously awaiting the first opportunity to experience the bright orange yolks he had described in detail and with much emotion.

He was right. And he still is.

All these years later, I’m living in a small Italian town nestled at the foot of the mountains filling the space between lakes Como and Lecco, with my wife and our four kids as we begin the journey of producing leather goods in Italy. One of the main purposes of this trip is to create new products that will fit seamlessly into your lives. Things you will want to use every day, not just for the occasional weekend trip.

We’re here for four months which means we get to settle in, cook with our neighbors, become friends with the local butcher, make daily stops at the most incredible pasticceria, speak the language, learn the history and ensure that the bags we create are infused with the authenticity and quality so easy to come by in this beautiful land.

Over the coming weeks and months, I look forward to sharing photos and stories of people and places and updates on new products. I’m sure I’ll be sharing some photos of colorful Italian coastlines and expansive Tuscan sunsets that are irresistible, but don’t be surprised if there’s also some photos from La Runa, the local farm-stand that we walk to on Tuesdays and Saturdays, where we buy the best eggs in the world. Even my children agree.

Sincerely,
Douglas Rose