The Best Five Artisans Shops in Florence, Italy
Loretta Caponi, a Unique Workshop in Florence
Loretta Caponi, Via delle Belle Donne, 28/r, 50123 Firenze
This workshop opened in 1967. Since then, her creations have graced the wardrobes of thousands of important families, such as the Rockefellers and Kennedys.
Additionally, the 850 square-metre atelier, today managed by her daughter, Lucia Caponi, and grandson, Guido, is located in a beautiful Florentine palace and is home to more than 10,000 designs of men’s and women’s nightwear – bathrobes in linen, silk, cashmere and velvet for him; nightgowns in silk velvet, dévoré and georgette for her – as well as tablecloths, sponges, bedsheets, pillows, baby clothes and children’s pieces.
Pelletteria Artigiana Viviani, Florentine and Tuscan Craftsmanship at Their Finest
Pelletteria Artigiana Viviani, Via Guelfa, 3/a, 50129 Firenze
When you enter Pelletteria Artigiana Viviani you immediately understand their deep roots in the great Florentine artisan tradition of leather-making.
Renato Viviani opened his workshop and boutique in the centre of Florence in 1965 after spending years mastering his craft, first in Guccio Gucci’s workshop in the 1920s and later in Buenos Aires in the ‘30s, ‘40s and ‘50s, where he became a master artisan.
Women’s bags and work bags, wallets and belts, these original creations are designed, cut and assembled completely by hand. The hides used for all the products come exclusively from Tuscan tanneries. The workshop is today headed by Renato’s daughter and grandson, Viviana and Leonardo.
The quote by its founder, Renato Viviani, tells it best: “To those who tell me that 20 days to make a purse is a long time, I reply that it lasts for at least 20 years“.
Woo Class, Handmade Glasses Atelier in Florence
Woo Class, Via dell’Orto, 23 r, 50124 FirenzeOpened in 2004 by Lisa Gabellini, Woo Class makes one-of-a-kind artisanal glasses. This unique glasses atelier has created frames that perfectly combine style and comfort while considering the wearer’s well-being.
Their glasses are made with at least 11 natural wood layers, making them super light, flexible, and durable. Moreover, the manufacturing process includes more than 83 steps carried out by hand.
Il Torchio High Quality Bookbinding and Handmade Paper
Il Torchio, Via de’ Bardi, 17, 50125 Firenze
Since 1980, Il Torchio has kept the Florentine tradition of bookbinding alive by creating handmade products, preserving old treasures, and exploring new ideas.
Established on tradition and classic bookbinding, Il Torchio continues to create 100% made in Florence items using high quality selected material, such as leather, handmade marbled paper, artistic papers and coloured canvas. Have fun browsing through their amazing products inside their workshop in Oltrarno, the artisans’ district of Florence.
Hello Wonderful, Artisanal Women’s Boutique in Oltrarno
Hello Wonderful, Via Santa Monaca, 2, 50124 Firenze
Run by two Italian fashion makers, Hello Wonderful is an artisanal fashion brand based in Florence, Italy.
At Hello Wonderful, everything is designed in-house and made in limited quantities! The two designers and founders have their sewing machines in the shop and they’re cutting and sewing in the back. The beautiful storefront shows their latest creations at very reasonable prices.