People in Tuscany are born and raised with a unique sensitivity to beauty. Be it because of the land or the history, it comes right from the heart of every person living here.

Villa Bolgheri is a company that was born because of these feelings. It is specialized in manufacturing neckwear and each of its creations expresses this tendency to perfectionism.

The firm is a symbol of the lifestyle that people have in Tuscany, where elegance is something everyone takes very seriously.

Villa Bolgheri ties are designed in such a way that they add this elegance to any outfit. Being made of natural silk, they are guaranteed to leave a positive impression.

Click here to see more Villa Bolgheri ties.

When I spoke about venetian glass jewelry a while ago, I went into detail to describe some of the ancient techniques that the artists of Murano island use to create their products (to the extent I could learn about them, as they still well kept secrets), and I even named a few firms that specialize in creating these beautiful jewels.

Well, today I’m going to talk about Due Zeta, a firm from the Murano Island in Venice which, unlike the ones I talked about until now, specializes in manufacturing decorative objects, ornaments that you can use around the house.

The firm was founded in 1993 by the couple Andrea and Michele Zecchin with the goal of bringing people beautiful glass decorations. Settled in an island with such an wealthy history, its wasn’t that farfetched to make that dream come true.

When the opened their doors, they decided not to use the famous millefiori technique which everybody associates Venetian glass with. They decided to employ a technique called ‘a lume’ developed on the island back in the 13th century, which is, as far as I can tell, hand-painted glass.

So, what are some of the Due Zeta glass ornaments?

Glad you asked!

First, there are the hand decorated centerpieces and desert bowls that will make the dinner table look so much more alluring. They feature these colorful painted leaves which bring a sense of spring in your home.

Then there is this lovely hand decorated picture frame called Carnevale which has the same colored leaves as above. They put those precious pictures in the right light.

Lastly, Due Zeta has a couple of colorful hand painted shot glasses called Sospiri which will add a unique sparkle to your next party.

Although so far it’s been a local firm, selling its products through the four shops it owns in Venice, Due Zeta is also available in the United States now through Forzieri.

To find out more about its designs, take a look at the Due Zeta catalog on Forzieri.com. You’ll certainly find something that will fit perfectly in your home.

In a previous post, I said that the handbag is a woman’s most precious accessory, a friend that is always by her side. However, I must say that her shoes are also up there on the list. Many times, they are all that a woman cares for.

For that reason, getting the most beautiful pair of shoes is something that every woman strives for. And what better way to make sure that you get the best of the best than getting a pair of high quality italian shoes?

Mario Bologna is one of the many talented Italian designers that knows exactly what you look for. In all his work, he proves that understanding the needs of his clients is an important key to success.

All of his creations feature sophisticated and streamlined shapes that will give you the most elegant look at all the events you will attend.

A few words about the Mario Bologna shoes

Some of these models have surprising details that make them breathtaking. For instance, there is a pair called Retro Clock Black & Purple Leather Pump Shoe, which features a vintage-inspired clock on a small purple belt. I don’t know about you, but for me, that is somewhat strange.. And cute

There is another interesting model called Lilac Suede Peep-toe Pump Shoe. It has that beautiful, bright violet color that makes it just perfect for the warm, sunny days of May and June.

Still for the warm weather, you’ll be delighted to see the Confetti Pink Patent Leather Sandals, which also feature that bright violet as before, but this time, just for laughs, they feature some kitschy details, like a small pair of sunglasses and a lipstick. They make the sandals look so childish…

Just to turn the turn the discussion to a more serious tone, there’s another pair of sandals which features not a pair of glasses, but rather a large hand-sewn rose that totally captures the attention. He calls it the Black Leather Flower Slingback Sandal. Classy, elegant!

How about the texture? Do you like croco-embossed leather? Because there are three croco pairs that are very alluring. They evoke this seductive 1940s glamour, which inevitably makes you the center of attention. That incredible red that they feature is just hypnotic!

There isn’t much else to say about the Mario Bologna shoes other than the fact that they’re truly spectacular and will make you feel divine. And you deserve that!

These shoes go from about $350 to about $700. I think that is a decent price for a pair of authentic Italian shoes that.

To see all the models and find out more about them, go take a look at the Mario Bologna Shoes collection of Forzieri.com. They will blow your mind!

The handbag is probably the most fundamental accessory in a woman’s daily life, a faithful companion that never leaves her side and helps her sort things out in an easy and practical manner, while making sure that she looks her best.

Handbag designers have always kept that in mind when coming out with a new model. A handbag has to both look fantastic and be practical after all.

Francesco Biasia knows this lesson all too well and for that reason, his designs are  such a great choice. His clients all over the world are totally excited with his products.

Coming from Florence, home for the most skilled accessories designers in the world, it’s only natural for Biasia to release only the best quality bags.

A few words about the Francesco Biasia Handbags

Of all the Biasia handbags I’ve seen, my favorite collection has to be “La Digue”. The way that burgundy color shines simply hypnotizes you and it becomes impossible to take your eyes off it. It looks so tantelizing that you almost want to eat it!

Talking about hypnotizing colors, there are also the “Bogota” handbags which also have an expressive color, either bright red or black. Unlike the previous collection, however, these ones have a fish, or snake-like texture which doesn’t shine as much, but still won’t let you look the other way.

The Rangiroa range of handbags has something special. Its brown leather gives it a simple, classy look. It’s probably more appropriate for ‘formal’ situations. But if you want to see a really sober bag, then look no further than “Darwin”. That collection has a series of black leather bags that which feature as little details as possible. It’s as if the designer went to great lengths to avoid anything that would make it stand out.

The bags in the Raitea collection are made from elegant suede, with smooth patent details in contrasting colors. These things create a charming design, which is completed with a silvertone metal logo.

For a handbag that’s totally shocking, take a closer look at the “Secret Love” model. That beautiful croco-style leather and the level of detail is just mind blowing! I just hope that that’s not a real crocodile!

To get a better idea of all the models that the designer pulls out, take a look at the Francesco Biasia Handbag Collection over at Forzieri.com. The bags there will definitely take your breath away.

If you take a look at some of the pages of this site, you’ll see that there is a general theme that encompasses the whole thing, and that is the beauty that comes from Italy.

Come to think of it, there are entire categories of products – cars, jewelry, fashion items – where the Italians really are the ones making some of the most exquisite items in the world.

And it’s no wonder that they have all these beautiful products coming out. They have this incredible history designing and manufacturing alluring items that it’s become a second nature for them, a normal fact of life.

Such is the case of Orlando Orlandini, one of Tuscany’s most notorious fine gold jewelers.

A few words about his background

Orlandini came from a family where art was a way of life, with his father being a terrific sculptor and his mother a painter. Surrounded by beauty, he became interested in this area and, not surprisingly, he followed on his father’s footsteps and decided at an early age to study sculpture at Academia delle Belle Arte in Rome.

After he finished college, he became a goldsmith. Soon after, he put together a small team of extremely talented designers and craftsmen and opened the Atelier d’Arte Orafa  workshop in the city of Florence, which would later become the Orlando Orlandini Atelier. Thanks to that team, he managed to climb to hills of success and become of the best-known names in the elite world of fine gold jewelry.

In 1983 he bought a beautiful 14^th century convent in the hills of Tuscany which he rejuvenated  and turned it into a cozy place  where he lives and works together with his wife Carmela and their two children, Paladino and Lydia.

Having been an independent jewelry designer, a great deal of the inspiration for the new pieces that he creates draws from the alluring scenery from his home, with hill covered in olive trees and flourishing vineyards.

Thanks to his creativity, his jewelry collections have won several prizes, among which the Couture Design Awards four times and the Tahitian Pearl Trophy twice.

A few words about the Orlando Orlandini Jewelry

Just like all Italian artists, Orlandini has been dedicated to perfecting his art and that is definitely coming off from his work. He takes enormous pride in the fact that each of his designs are painstakingly studied and perfected before taking a final shape. Like I just mentioned, all of them are inspired by the breathtaking Tuscan scenery and reflect the simplicity of nature.

Once they leave the drawing board, the designs are brought to life by hand by one of the artisans that he employs. Because  there is no automatic process involved, each of the pieces that leaves the workshop is essentially unique. Not only that, but for each of the models, there is a maximum of 100 of pieces that are sold to any particular country.

In all of his works, he uses yellow, white or pink gold, which is sometimes peppered with small diamonds. One of the things that he makes sure to adhere to is his dedication to making all jewels extremely comfortable to wear. And ided, some of the works he did feel like silk onthe skin.

To get a better idea of what his designs look like, take a look the Orlando Orlandini jewelry collection on Forzieri.com. Some of the pieces there will take your breath away!

Moreschi is not only one of the finest shoe manufacturers in Italy. Leather jackets are also amongst its most sought after products.

The firm has a very long history manufacturing leather products. Founded in 1946, it’s made a name for itself as a company that places a lot of value on the craftsmanship of high quality products.

The popularity of the Moreschi shoes is a testament of the effort that the company has made to ensure that its clients are not only satisfied with their purchases, but also highly enthusiastic about it.

The firm’s adventure beyond shoes began with the natural evolution and expansion of its activity. With a thorough experience working with leather, the firm had its designers create a range of jackets that its target audience would definitely appreciate.

Thus, this line of suede blazer jackets was born. They feature a somewhat casual look and they come in four basic colors: blue, rust, dark brown and black.

What is great about them is that the leather is so soft. It is also very clear that they’ve spent a lot of time working on the details.

Now that it’s getting colder, having a quality jacket is absolutely essential.

Go take a closer look at all the Moreschi leather jackets to find one that fits you best.

Giorgio Fedon 1919 is one of the most prestigious Italian brands when it comes to high end business accessories.

The story of the name begins immediately after the war, in 1919, in the small Italian town of Vallesella, up in the enchanting Dolomite Mountains. The founders opened a shop that was going to produce high quality eyewear cases.

Years later and the Fedon Group is nowadays a global brand selling a wide variety of premium accessories. All are unified by the colors of the company, black and orange, and its motto: “classic craftsmanship and avant-garde design”.

The group launched the Giorgio Fedon 1919 brand in 2000 and used it to open stores in prime location all over the world. The headquarters are still in the same location as 92 years ago.

Among the lines of products, you’ll find document cases, organizers, diaries, cigar and cigarette cases and quite a few desk and writing accessories. They also have a few watches inspired by vintage designs.

Giorgio Fedon 1919 briefcases are an important part of the catalog, as the entire brand is targeted at business executives. Each of them is handmade from the highest quality leather and is very practical for a modern working environment.

When it comes to handbags, you’ve got quite a few choices. Although I don’t really see the point of the Airline tote bag and I think that it really has nothing to do with Fedon’s image, all the other are spectacular to say the least.

The croco stamped satchel and business bags from the Spiga and City collections are not only practical but they really show a good taste. Their high price is justified by the great care that’s been taken at choosing the best materials and the time spent with all the details.

To get a better image of the brand, go see all Giorgio Fedon 1919 accessories on Forzieri’s website.

If you’re thinking about fine Italian jewelry, then your mind almost immediately takes you back to Florence. As the center of craftsmanship for many centuries, the city has given birth to a myriad of small shops producing some of the most fascinating jewels the world has ever seen.

With a large number of artisans and creativity just floating in the air, you will always discover something new that makes you smile.

Alcozer & J is one of those companies building up on that legacy of the city and it’s making a fantastic job. It was founded in 1994 by Italian designer Giampiero Alcozer after he took an important educational tour all over the world that lasted a couple of years.

He decided to settle in Florence because of the abundance of talented artists that could help him build on his vision.

What I think is the most spectacular about Alcozer & J is its determination to create classic jewelry. While most companies try to look as avant-garde as they possibly can, this one is keeping true to the tradition.

Giampiero Alcozer is drawing inspiration from a variety of sources, from the finesse of the Renaissance era in Florence to the early twentieth century jewelry in the United States.

To express his vision, he uses a variety of materials such as precious and semi-precious stones, mother of pearls, corals or ebony. As for the encompassing metal, he uses brass instead of precious metals like gold or silver.

The first jewelry collection that Alcozer introduced back in 1994 was called Classic and, as the name suggested, the designs it featured were inspired by the classic works of all artists before.

A later collection was called Unic because every piece was made in maximum 15 copies. In other words, very rare and extremely valuable.

Every year, the collections are enriched with almost 300 new designs, all produced in 20 to 60 copies. Every piece is hand made.

The Jewels themselves have the most varied motifs, from the frog princes, bees and owls, to cupid and flower bouquets. Some of these are really surprising, but they actually achieve something beautiful: They allow the woman to express her personality and character in a unique fashion.

I’ll say it again: I really like how Alcozer manages to create these classic pieces in a world where this sort of stuff is somewhat ‘old fashioned’. Sure, they are not all 100% percent classic. He makes sure to include his modern twists.  Many of his motifs, for instance, would have been seen as completely out there years ago.

However, the overall image that his collections portray is just beautiful.

Go take a closer look at all Alcozer & J jewels to choose one that would best fit you or the one you intend to offer a beautiful gift!

I love this specialization in Italy. Whereas Venice is the absolute authority on everything related to Murano Glass, the Florentines are unsurpassed when it comes to fine leather working.

An entire industry was built here around this passion and one of the companies that’s been continuously perfecting its technique over the years is Chiarugi Firenze.

The firm was founded by Remo Chiarugi in 1969 and has successfully made a name for itself throughout the world. It is specialized entirely on manufacturing high quality leather accessories, especially handbags, briefcases and the ocasional doctor’s bag or backpack.

Each one of these is handcrafted. Most of the leather they use is vegetable tanned, both to get that beautiful shiny brown color, but also to allow stamping.

If you want to have your bags or other accessories personalized, Chiarugi offers you the possibility to print a monogram. For the briefcases, you can choose up to three letters. For everything else, you can have as many as 6 characters or other signs.

What love most about this brand is that unlike the flashier Alviero Martini, or Giorgio Fedon who’s expanded its brand to cover more categories, this little Florentine firm kept true to the original vision of its founder.

To find out more, go see the entire Chiarugi leather collection on Forzieri’s website.

You wouldn’t expect Forzieri, one of the best know Florentine brands to have much to do with the Murano glass, something that essentially belongs to Venice.

You will definitely be surprised, however, to find out that not only do they have their own line of Murano glass jewelry, but that it actually is awesome!

Take a look:

I want to EAT THEM! Isn’t that something that would turn your head on the street? I bet it would!

Of all the products in their collection, I especially love this pendant It looks just like a delicious candy. I wonder how many people actually thought it was one and tried to taste it

This necklace, on the other hand, as its name suggests – Mare – takes your though to those sunny Mediterranean beaches. I can already see myself lying there under an mbrella, with a soft breeze… Yeeah

The fact that that the chains and the connecting elements are made from sterling silver goes without saying. However, some of these jewels even have a couple of Swarovski crystals attached to enhance their beauty. How about that!

So, what do you think? Does Forzieri has what it takes to play in the Murano glass jewelry field or what?

P.S. What are you waiting for? Go ahead and take a look at the entire collection of Murano Jewels on Forzieri’s website. You’ll love it!