3 days in Italy is always good to get the creative juices flowing. Visiting all of our makers, looking at new buckle design concept and materials, new leather finishes and textures. I have been spending a lot of time on the exotic side of things – really trying to learn more and more about the processes and possibilities. In the end I want to be able to offer the best quality exotic leather that I can – Python I know a lot about – crocodile is more complex and becasue of the price one has to be very careful! I am looking at some lovely napa finish crocodile for men and at using some Iguana skin for a range of ladies belts. Iguana is not cheap but has an elegant grain and I think will sit nicely in our collection.

As for buckles – well a lot of work to do now – bolstered by the fact that we now have an inhouse designer as well to add further diversity. The first of our fossilised shark teeth buckles should be in soon…

Italy in general seems to be struggling economically like us here in the UK – although I am constantly amazed at the price levels. Clothing seems constantly expensive…I think that like the UK Italy is trying to find its place in the new global economy – the old industries are struggling, export is hard when competing with the likes of China. We’ll see – there are lots of strong creative businesses but I fear that many are just anachronistic.

In the meantime – summer is upon us – time for shorts, light cotton, bright colours and plenty of smiles…Just going to put on my pink belt with some great check design shorts I bought in Florence – a little Miami but not often we hit 80f in London!

JR