A gift from techniques passed down since the Middle Ages: woven bags born in Italy

In Italy, where historic townscapes stretch across the land,

the craftsmanship that artisans have practiced since ancient times

is still passed down today, deeply rooted in the land.

From leather goods to wooden items, ceramics,

embroidery, gold and silver work, and more—this wide variety of

high-quality handcrafts has been recognized around the world.

"Weaving" is one of the techniques

that has been nurtured within Italy's culture of craftsmanship.

This time, we introduce an Italian

bag brand that makes generous use of weaving techniques.

"Weaving" is a technique in which materials crossed vertically and horizontally are intertwined to create

a surface strong enough to withstand impact and weight.

In agricultural regions, baskets have long been treasured as everyday tools,

and weaving techniques have been required to increase their durability.

In the Signa district of Tuscany, Italy,

the technique of weaving straw (wara) is said to have already reached

a high level of skill as early as the 1500s, in the Middle Ages.

Later, as wheat varieties suited to weaving were improved,

fashion items woven from wheat straw—much like straw hats—spread widely,

particularly in Florence.

In the 17th century, a trend emerged in which the sons of English nobility

traveled through Italy and France on what was called the "Grand Tour,"

and this trend became the catalyst for Italian weaving techniques

to become widely known beyond national borders.

Woven products, completed entirely by the hands of artisans

without the need for any machinery, captured the hearts of many people.

ROBERTO PANCANI is

a bag brand started by the Pancani brothers

in Florence, where weaving techniques flourished.

The two brothers, who had originally spent

20 years working at their father's bag brand, now produce bags that showcase

skillful weaving techniques based on the knowledge and expertise they cultivated over many years.

Their representative methods are as follows.

■ Pannelli Intrecciato

A method in which two cord-like materials are woven together.

Also known as mesh weaving.

By weaving two strips of leather cut into cord-like shapes on each side,

a mesh-like appearance is created.

■ Crochet Weaving

Weaving done using a crochet hook.

This method allows for the creation of delicate motifs,

and it could be said that the strength applied while weaving is reflected in the resulting shape.

■ Kagome Weaving

By weaving two cord-like materials each from four directions—

up, down, diagonally right, and diagonally left—

an octagonal hollow pattern emerges.

This weaving method is also commonly seen in rattan furniture.

You can watch artisans finishing the work by hand

in the video below.

This time, ZUTTO asked ROBERTO PANCANI

to produce bags in colors exclusive to ZUTTO.

These custom-order bags from ROBERTO PANCANI,

which showcase skilled handiwork in weaving natural materials,

have three main points of dedication.

① Combination and design of different materials

Bags woven from leather cut into strips,

or woven from plant vines,

are known as traditional Italian crafts,

but at ROBERTO PANCANI,

a combination of different materials—leather and rattan—has been achieved.

Calf leather, known for its exceptional softness and fine texture,

is recognized as one of the finest materials among leathers.

It feels soft to the touch right from the start,

and its smooth surface is a distinctive feature.

Despite this delicate appearance,

it holds up firmly even under heavy loads—

truly a testament to what leather can do.

Rattan is used throughout the main body.

This vine-like rattan, also valued in furniture making,

is relatively flexible among plant materials,

allowing for complex curved shaping.

At ROBERTO PANCANI,

this rattan is woven so beautifully

that you might find yourself wondering, "Is this really a plant?"

The lustrous sheen of the rattan and the subtle variations in color,

unique to natural materials, are evident in every single piece.

The design that combines these different materials,

and the fine details in how materials and colors are used,

seem to directly reflect

the fashion sensibility that ROBERTO PANCANI

has refined over many years.

② Selection of color tones

The colors of the leather, lining, and hardware

have all been custom-ordered by ZUTTO.

As you continue to use them, the colors gradually deepen,

becoming even more appealing over time.

By combining different tones within the same color family,

we created colors that are easy to coordinate with.

We also focused on making them easy to carry during the warmer seasons.

With these points in mind, we selected four colors:

OLIVE, GREY, YELLOW, and BEIGE.

Paired with:

RamieLawn Long Shirt・Slim Fit Jeans 10D02 Indigo・Bit Loafer Suede Beige

The calm, understated OLIVE blends beautifully with the beige tone of the calf leather

and harmonizes well with the color of the rattan.

It naturally pairs with warm brown tones, of course,

and it also looks great against dark colors,

so it's a great choice for those who usually wear black or navy.

Paired with:

Linen Long Sleeve Shirt Round Collar Charcoal

The GREY, close to a pale blue, gives off a refreshing impression the moment you carry it.

With the liner in a matching tone, it creates a neat,

polished atmosphere, making it useful as a work bag as well.

Paired with:

RamieLawn Long Shirt・Linen Swing Skirt LECKAVREA・Belted Espadrille Sandals BLK

For the basic BEIGE,

we added an accent with brown thread.

This is the shade where you can most clearly see the leather's texture

changing over time, and it's an easy color to pair with sharp, tailored pants styles

as well as sweeter looks like skirts and dresses.

Paired with:

Linen Stitch Check Light Coat

The warm YELLOW adds a touch of brightness as well.

Pairing it with cool, breezy materials like linen or cotton

creates a coordinate perfectly suited to spring and summer.

③Practicality, too

This rattan × leather bag isn't just about looks—

it's also designed to be practical and easy to use every day.

As a shared feature of both the S size and L size,

the bag has a magnetic closure at the opening and

an inner pocket with a zipper.

Since it opens and closes with a simple one-touch magnet,

it's easy to take things in and out, and you won't have to worry about the contents spilling out.

The zippered inner pocket is perfect for

storing valuables like a commuter pass case or keys.

The L size has two additional pockets,

which allow you to store small items separately, and

the bottom is fitted with studs,

so there's no need to worry about the rattan or leather getting dirty.

The L size, with its gusseted shape, is also recommended as a work bag.

The smaller size works well as a weekend bag, perfect for a day out.

Thanks to its refined materials, it fits naturally into formal business settings as well as

places like hotels and restaurants, without ever feeling out of place.

Made using natural materials like leather and rattan,

ROBERT PANCANI bags are

made to last, provided you care for them properly.

■Precautions for Use

・The woven construction gives the bag excellent durability, but

forcing too much luggage into it may cause it to deform or break, so please be careful.

・Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight may cause the materials to discolor or warp,

so please be careful of this as well.

・The materials are sensitive to moisture, so please avoid using the bag on rainy days.

■Daily Care

・After use, remove the contents and reshape the bag.

・For the outer leather and rattan parts,

wipe gently with a clean, soft cloth.

・When storing the bag, wrapping it in non-woven fabric or covering it with a cloth is recommended,

as this helps prevent moisture buildup.

・If the bag gets wet, wipe away the moisture with a cloth,

let it dry thoroughly, and then store it.