To avoid any confusion... when we talk about jeweled handbags, do we know what we mean?

It might be the bag we keep in our closet like a true treasure. Mine is my Bulgari Zero, which was a gift and which I keep as my little treasure... But if tomorrow we were told "choose your dream bag"... Which would it be? I would probably go straight for a Chanel 2.55, or a Dior Saddle, or the iconic Hermès Birkin and wait on the waiting list... We all know that whoever buys one of these designs is making an investment, since some of them appreciate in value; it's like investing in gold.

But when we talk about jeweled handbags, we also mean those that share characteristics with jewelry pieces, such as pearls, Swarovski crystals, embroidery, or are made with semi-precious stones, like the ones we also use at Kirei. I think I fell in love with these when Alexander McQueen launched his Skull Four-Ring clutch, which so many brands have copied; those were truly exquisite!

Recently, at a press day, I discovered Campomaggi, an Italian brand that blends boho style with more timeless designs, using stones, studs... and I loved it! But above all, it made me reflect on our current "fashion" world, where two trends coexist: fast fashion, dominated by increasingly affordable weekly collections, albeit with "dubious" quality materials, and the possibility of returning to the past, buying clothes and accessories that don't succumb to fleeting trends and, yes, are a bit more expensive, but the materials are high-quality and, above all, they last. Right now, the latest trend is raiding our mothers' and relatives' closets in search of treasures that have aged beautifully. The trend for many of us is to move away from impulsive purchases so that, years from now, our daughters or nieces can wear them... what we now call Old Money or Slow Fashion.

Heart, skin and hands

This is a summary of Campomaggi's philosophy. As the brand itself told us, they want to "create valuable objects, worthy of being preserved over time, not thrown away after a season. Designed to be passed down from parents to children, acquiring value over the years."

They achieve this through a process that follows tradition, just as it was done in the workshops of Emilia-Romagna, a region located in the heart of Italy. There, leather is crafted by hand; "the human element is what makes each object unique, original, and not standardized."

Furthermore, and I completely agree with this, although I know it's a controversial topic in today's fashion world, the use of natural leather over synthetic materials is key. No matter how much they improve, we know that these synthetic/vegan leathers, even those of excellent quality, eventually wear out without any possibility of repair to extend their lifespan. The brand believes that using leather is inherently ecological, as it rigorously reuses materials that are unsuitable for the food industry and would otherwise become pollutants. At Campomaggi, they reinvent and transform these materials into valuable objects, worthy of being preserved and passed down through generations. Each bag undergoes the ancient technique of vegetable tanning, a completely natural manufacturing process that utilizes the tannins contained in wood and plants, extracted from trees such as mimosa, chestnut, quebracho, and oak.

For me, this transforms them into jewel-like handbags, following one of the first criteria we used to describe this concept... durability over time.

But their most iconic bags are not only exquisitely crafted, but also meticulously crafted by hand, with their constant use and the meticulous application of semi-precious stones and studs. Furthermore, in keeping with their commitment to sustainability, this dedication extends to customer service. Each bag includes a Care Kit with cream and application cloths, designed to pamper and care for the product, ensuring its longevity. They also offer repair services in their own workshops.

In conclusion, its creator, Marco Campomaggi, champions the know-how of Italian craftsmanship, influenced by his childhood in the small town of Teodorano, “a town where everyone made the things they needed by hand: doors, shelves, ladies' shawls, and, of course, passatelli and cappelletti pasta. Watching the hands of all the inhabitants at work was a truly creative experience.” This connection to his origins and the region is reflected in the message he uses as a label, which reads “Teodorano 25-02-1961,” representing the designer's birthdate and place, his zodiac sign, and a drawing of Teodorano Castle.

At Kirei, we love and respect artisanal work, as well as attention to detail, so we thought it would be interesting to share this artisanal brand with you.

And you, do you own any statement handbags? Do you prioritize a good, timeless basic that will keep up with the times, or do you like to buy something new every week? Let us know in the comments.