Submitted by Melissa Jerome on the 2016 spring semester program in Rome, Italy…
This past weekend, I took my first weekend trip to Florence, determined to find authentic leather goods. Florence is known for its gold and leather, but I knew I had to look out for cheaply made/fake goods. A shop owner told me that the “Made in Italy” stamp can be placed on any good that has been just slightly modified in Italy (even just one button sewed on!). As I wandered around an open-air market and looked at the leather, I wasn’t impressed. I did some research and made my way to “Scuola del Cuoio” which is part of the beautiful Santa Croce Church. This leather school was created after WWII to give orphans of the war a means to learn a practical trade and earn a living. The Medici family donated a dormitory wing to the school during the Renaissance. This school is still operating today and all goods sold are made right there in the shop. The man working at the shop told me that if you visit during the week you can watch the students making the leather goods. I bought a few leather pouches for gifts that are printed with the fleur de lis (the crest of Florence).
