AdminWhether you’re looking for top-grain leather bags or inexpensive change purses, Florence has the wholesale leather market to fit your needs. It’s important to do your homework before you head out shopping, though. The city’s reputation as a source for fine leather has attracted a pretty shady trade in knock-offs, so make sure you know what to look for and be wary of anyone trying to sell you something that’s not worth the price.
A good place to start is the Piazza del Mercato Centrale, a massive indoor/outdoor market with rows of vendors selling everything from tiny little leather trinkets to more substantial items like leather jackets and bags. There are also a number of small, quality boutiques where you can find exquisitely crafted souvenirs at more reasonable prices than in the markets.
The best way to determine the quality of a bag is to examine it up close. The stitching should be tight and regular, with small stitches. All the clasps, zippers and other hardware should work well. Check the finish and color for scratches, stains, fading and other signs of wear and tear. A well-made bag will have the right amount of stiffness and will be able to stand up to light use.
Many Italian dbag artisans, factories and brands offer a Private Label service to help resellers develop their own line of exclusive “Made in Italy” leather bags. You provide the design, they produce the bag and then ship it to you (or your customer) at a competitive wholesale price. If you’re interested in working with one of these producers, you can find them on the ItalianModa B2B marketplace. wholesale leather bags italy