The Florentine craftsman
The Story
Will Italian craftsmanship ever be able to return to what it once was, starting from a simple belt?
This is the question I asked myself when I began my journey.
My name is Zizza and, together with my family, I am the proud owner of Bottega del Giglio.
My story, and consequently that of the brand, began in 2012, when I was just 16 years old, among the famous stalls of San Lorenzo, working as a street vendor at a belt stand. I was fortunate enough to work for one of the few street vendors still producing the goods they then offered for sale at their stall, and it was he who instilled in me the passion and knowledge that, in turn, I try to pass on to you today.
The Shop
Bottega del Giglio is a tiny workshop in the heart of Florence, just steps from the famous Ponte Vecchio. Despite its small size, I've produced hundreds of belts in this workshop, and with each creation, I've expanded my skills.
Being in such a central location, the shop serves customers from all over the world and gives thousands of people the opportunity to take home a piece of the Italian leather goods tradition.
And it was precisely within these four walls that the idea of trying to bring Italians closer to craftsmanship was born.
The Laboratory
The workshop represents the fulfillment of a dream; it was undoubtedly the most challenging project I've undertaken to date, but also one of the most enjoyable. This will be the place where the Bottega del Giglio brand can grow and improve, offering you ever-better products and giving free rein to our and your creativity.
Our mission
Having worked all my life in the same environment, that of leather goods and, more generally, craftsmanship, I have always been annoyed by the fact that Made in Italy was extremely appreciated abroad but belittled in Italy.
Our dream and our mission is to change all this.
The goal is to show you how fascinating this world is, with the hope of bringing Italians back to the shops.