Craftmanship and creativity. Shopping in Rome can be an exclusive experience especially if you manage to buy a Bizantina Bag. A lovely evening pochette big enough to put inside a cell phone, keys and some make up.
The designers are mother and daughter : Benedetta Lignani and Caterina Mancinelli. Benedetta is one of the most creative woman I know. She is journalist, PR , interior decorator and designer. Her daughter Caterina has fashion in her DNA and now is a successful student at Rome University graduating in Fashion.
The Bizantina was born on a journey on the Bosphorus.The silk velvet ikat is woven on the traditional looms of Bukhara in Uzbekistan. The tortoise-shaped clip made of brass and silver, is handmade in Istanbul inspired by an ancient Ottoman design. The silk satin inner lining is made in Italy and sewed by an italian couturière. Benedetta and Caterina often go to Istanbul to choose the fabrics.
Each bag is numbered and unique. Not particularly expensive: around 250 euros. Every Bizantina has a soul and a story. It is an artisanal creation and may have minor irregularities as it is an hand-craft objets d'art.
Major italian newspapers such as Corriere della Sera and Sole 24ore wrote about it. The best way to try to have it is to get an appointment with Benedetta and Caterina writing an email to bizantinabag@gmail.com and get an appointment. Everything depends on the availability as, every collection is a capsule.
Some of our clients from www.grandtourshopping.com had the opportunity to get a Bizantina. We organised a custom made rendez vous. Especially ladies from Australia and United States. By the way, Benedetta and Caterina know exactly where the Bizantinas are around the world. Some clients have it in Miami, New York, Gstaad, Moscow and Tel Aviv. In Italy the pochette became a status symbol owned by socialites, actresses and fashion editors. A must have in Rome, Palermo, Milan and Naples. No doubt about it.
