There’s something undeniably special about Italian craftsmanship. It isn’t just in the architecture or the art—it lives in the hands of artisans whose dedication runs deep, blending tradition with innovation in ways that feel both timeless and fresh. That same spirit lies at the heart of Vetrinamia, a digital showcase bringing together some of Italy’s most exciting independent handbag labels. Fittingly, “Vetrinamia” translates to “My Showcase”—a name that embodies the platform’s very spirit.
This multi-label online destination caters to a discerning clientele: those seeking fresh finds, collectors craving meaningful storytelling, and style-savvy individuals who value enduring craftsmanship. At its heart, Vetrinamia champions one belief—that independent designers across Italy, France and beyond deserve global recognition alongside the industry’s heavyweights.
Scrolling through the site is like stepping into a living gallery of Italian design, each piece a reflection of heritage and imagination. So when the opportunity arose to meet some of Vetrinamia’s standout designers, I couldn’t resist. In the span of one afternoon, I spoke with four talents whose visions are distinct, yet bound by a shared reverence for the artistry that makes Italian design so timeless.
Gamberini Bag
Leading the lineup is Bologna-based label Gamberini. Over Zoom, founder Ilenia Gamberini speaks with the quiet confidence of someone deeply connected to her roots. Her designs, she explains, are steeped in the spirit of her home town—interpreted through a “clean and minimal” lens and shaped by the harmony of Italian art.
“I’m creating a world where beauty is subtle, tactile, and deeply personal,” she says with a soft smile. That philosophy is most evident in her sculptural approach to accessories.
Her Maria bag captures this sensibility best: strong lines, a rigid closure, and a balance of elegance and strength inspired by the Italian divas of the ’50s and ’60s. “I pictured those women in billowing skirts and wide-brimmed hats, strolling through sunlit streets in Rome and Venice,” she shares.
What first draws the eye is the delicate gold frame encasing embroidered wheat—a symbol of prosperity and abundance. “It’s not a simple decorative detail,” she stresses. “It’s a signature. A symbolic space enclosing a cameo that tells a fragment of identity: an embroidery, a textile, a drawing carefully chosen.”
Equally iconic is the lion head jewel, a sculpted emblem of audacity and prestige that gleams on her bags. For Gamberini, these details are more than adornments; they’re the culmination of years of refinement. “I worked on the proportions, curvature, and materials for a long time, until I found a version that was structurally sound and harmonious,” she recalls.
It’s this meticulous care—paired with her poetic eye—that makes Gamberini bags feel not just designed, but lived in.
Dadaputìa
Brand signatures don’t always take the shape of logos or motifs—sometimes, the name itself tells the story. Dadaputìa, for instance, is a portmanteau of “dada” (Designing Art, Dress and Architecture) and “putìa”, meaning “little shop” in Sicilian dialect, a nod to the founders’ roots.
The label was founded by Ernesto Graditi and Francesca Ferrara, two designers bound by a shared passion for architecture and for their hometown of Palermo. “Palermo is a stage of history, art and beauty. And our muse,” Ferrara says, her smile as bright as the city she describes.
That devotion comes to life in the Palermo bag, a design that merges architectural precision with artistic spirit. Its engraved jewel closure—a gold-plated, hand-enamelled miniature of Palermo’s historic centre—is the clearest expression of this love. “The closure is a small masterpiece,” Graditi explains. “It’s a way to carry the soul of Sicily with you, wherever you go.”
But Dadaputìa also looks to the future. The Futuristic Kelly bag channels the bold lines of modern architecture while keeping everyday elegance at its core. Crafted in smooth Italian calf leather with a quilted finish, it’s compact yet roomy enough for essentials, finished with a gleaming 18-karat gold closure and sharp, geometric accents. With both a top handle and removable strap, it’s as versatile as it is striking—an essential statement piece made for the contemporary woman.
Speaking with the pair, what stands out as much as their craftsmanship is their chemistry: an effortless back-and-forth that mirrors the harmony of their work. Together, they’ve created not just a brand, but a love letter to the city that shaped them.
Marina Lorenzi
Italy’s storied architecture has long inspired the designers of Vetrinamia, and for Marina Lorenzi, it’s the very heartbeat of her work. Speaking from her hometown of Bergamo, she reflects: “Architecture surrounds us with meaning, symmetry, and proportion. I find inspiration in the strength and elegance of historic buildings—how curves meet angles, how light hits a carved detail.”
When asked which creation most shaped her artistic journey, Lorenzi doesn’t hesitate: the Ambra bag. Crafted in soft Italian cowhide with a chrome-tanned finish, it marked a turning point in her career, one built on more than 40 years of leather-working.
What makes the Ambra truly special is its line of sculptural studs—a detail Lorenzi calls “a true craftsmanship challenge.” Inspired by the oval motifs of Art Deco doors across Italy, the metallic points are more than embellishment. “They are the result of a dialogue with history, with aged wood and the strength of structural elements. Each one is a conscious choice that gives the object balance and identity,” she explains.
It’s Lorenzi’s eye for detail, and the genuine excitement she brings when she speaks about it, that gives her designs their lasting appeal.
Frédéric Lesellier
Last but not least, I spoke with Frédéric Lesellier, who founded his eponymous label in 2017. Based in Nice and produced in Italy, his work is rooted in years spent at some of fashion’s most prestigious houses. “At those ateliers, I learned to observe,” he reflects. “The gestures, the materials, the intent hidden behind a volume, a cut, or a colour. A beautiful object wasn’t enough—it had to be thought through in space, in time, and through touch.”
Though calm in demeanour, Lesellier speaks with a passion that quickly shines through. “For fashion to stay alive, it has to draw from other sources—architecture, painting, everyday objects, fleeting emotions. Only through reinterpretation and storytelling can something honest and new emerge.”
As the only French brand on Vetrinamia’s slate of independent designers, Lesellier brings a certain je ne sais quoi to the table. Elegant, graceful and timeless, his creations favour fine leathers from some of the best French and Italian tanneries—a factor that, according to Lesellier, plays a pivotal role in each product. He says, “It’s a constant dialogue between technical precision and creative sensitivity, so that each piece tells a story, even through its materials.”
That refined philosophy comes to life in the Beaumont bag, inspired by the gardens of Versailles. Its dramatic rose clasp was refined over numerous sketches, each curve studied until it captured the moment a petal begins to open. Paired with fine calfskin leather from Europe and months of meticulous craftsmanship, the result is both ornamental and enduring. For Lesellier, it’s the perfect expression of his pursuit of balance—between uniqueness and refinement, memory and projection.
Even with the care and time poured into every piece, Vetrinamia’s designs remain surprisingly accessible. But make no mistake: affordability doesn’t come at the expense of integrity. The team at Vetrinamia works closely with each atelier—conducting site visits, hosting regular meetings, and engaging in ongoing dialogue—to ensure every stage of production meets its exacting standards. It’s this hands-on approach that builds trust, not just with the artisans, but with the clients who know they’re getting something truly special.
Every stitch, every silhouette, every story at Vetrinamia is a tribute to the enduring power of Italian craftsmanship. That vision stems from CEO Kate Chang, who first discovered the depth of Italy’s artisanal talent during her travels through Europe. With a background in finance, Chang spent over a decade of her career as a venture capitalist in Silicon Valley and Asia. There, she honed her discernment of innovation, talent and potential. And while exploring the Italian countryside, she met a young designer whose work immediately spoke to her.
The designer had spent years with some of luxury’s biggest names, honing her craft but sacrificing her creative voice. “Launching my own brand was how I could reclaim my creativity—even if survival as an independent designer was a constant struggle,” she confided.
Her story was not unique. Chang soon realised that many artisans shared the same challenge: immense skill, but little financial support or visibility to strike out on their own. From that point on, she knew that she wanted to shine a spotlight on hidden gems in the Italian design scene, without the traditional constraints of the luxury industry. Thus, Vetrinamia—an inviting platform for Italy’s leather-working talents to be seen, celebrated, and sustained— was born.
With over 200 independent labels already on its roster, Vetrinamia is poised to grow its footprint—both digitally and physically. When Vetrinamia first launched its website in May, it welcomed just over 1,000 shoppers a day. By July, that number had jumped to 20,000. Today, the platform draws close to 100,000 daily customers—a meteoric rise that speaks to more than passing curiosity.
Rather than focus on fleeting impressions on social media, Vetrinamia has poured its efforts into investing where it matters: its website. There, and only there, can shoppers truly immerse themselves in the vibrant Vetrinamia world. The brand invites its customers to slow down and deeply understand each designer’s story and inspirations. This strategy is a rare sight in the fast-paced fashion scene of today—one that has helped Vetrinamia attract genuine interest and love for exquisite Italian craftsmanship.
As Chang proudly notes, these shoppers aren’t just idly browsing. Interest is consistently translating into sales, thanks to Vetrinamia’s radical transparency: prices, materials, and origins are proudly and plainly displayed, a mark of confidence in each artisan’s craft.
With momentum like this, expansion feels less like a question of if than when. Plans are already underway for Singapore and Southeast Asia, where a new generation of fashion insiders will soon discover the designs of Marina Lorenzi, Dadaputìa, Frédéric Lesellier, and Gamberini Bag up close. From the digital sphere to the streets, Vetrinamia is set to usher in the next wave of Italian design.
Discover Vetrinamia—and what it stands for—by visiting its website, Instagram and Facebook.
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