THERE ARE THINGS that we always come back to, despite the unending onslaught of trends and fast fashion. Things that we’ve worn in with memories and adventures, and taken with us on special occasions such as that little out-of-the way boutique hotel at the top of the hill in Lisbon, or that beautiful Saturday morning at the market in Spain last summer, the sunlight pouring in through the domed Art Nouveau roof above. The Tuscany Tote is one of these things that we always return to again and again. Created using British hand-craftsmanship paired with natural materials from Italy, it is a classic piece that favours eternal style over passing trend. Its versatility makes it as perfect when paired with a pink pantsuit at the office on a Monday morning as it is for picking up groceries (it’s very sturdy and well-made) after work, and also works well as a carry-on (it easily fits a laptop) on flights near and far. Here is a collage of our favourite moments with the Tuscany Tote, a true modern classic.
Roséline Lohr for Belgrave Crescent, Edinburgh, Scotland
Design Notes
We have always wanted to add a tote to our line but wanted to ensure that we had a product that was as practical and durable as it was stylish. When Roséline and I began working on our design, we focused on the size and construction. We knew that a lot of totes looked great initially, but quickly lost their shape with unsightly stretching on the leather, especially at the base of the bag where the bottom sometimes falls out. With the help of our highly experienced makers, we were able create a solid base for our tote and a unique construction that makes it roomy yet still appear sleek and stylish.
The other major aspect of utmost importance in the design was the choice of leather—we wanted something that was rich and full of character. For this reason, we chose a small famil-run tannery in Tuscany that specialises in vegetable tanned leather using traditional pit tanning; this complex process produces a timeless leather unparalleled in its depth of colour, smell and texture. We felt the leather we chose perfectly evokes the rolling landscape and rich history of Tuscany.
⎯P.F.M.
