The Florentine craftsman
The Story
Will Italian craftsmanship ever return to what it once was, starting from something as simple as a belt?
That’s the question I asked myself when I began this journey.
My name is Zizza, and together with my family, I’m the proud owner of Bottega del Giglio. My story, and the story of the brand, began in 2012, when I was just 16 years old, among the famous stalls of San Lorenzo in Florence, working as a street vendor at a belt stand.
I was lucky enough to work for one of the few vendors who still made the goods they sold, and it was he who passed on to me the passion and knowledge that I now try to share with you.”
The Shop
Bottega del Giglio is a small workshop in the heart of Florence, just steps from the Ponte Vecchio. From here, I’ve crafted hundreds of products, each one teaching me something new and helping me grow as a craftsman. Being in such a central spot means I get to welcome people from all over the world, and give them the chance to take home a real piece of Italian leather tradition
The Laboratory
In 2024, I finally opened a real leather workshop. For me, it was the fulfillment of a dream, the most challenging project I’ve ever taken on, but also one of the most rewarding. This is the place where Bottega del Giglio can grow and improve, creating better and better products while giving space to both our creativity and yours
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.