Our STORY
OUR STORY
I was born and bred in Florence, Italy, in the same leather district where the biggest fashion brands in the world continue to produce today. I grew up surrounded by the tanneries, leather artisans, leather shops and famous leather markets.I was holidaying in Australia when I met my wife Kira. Together we operate our family business to enrich our customer’s lives with beautiful, timeless pieces we believe in.
Kira was born and raised in Wollongong (Australia) where long, hot summers were spent on North Beach, and the Port Kembla Steel Works was the lifeblood of the city. Republic of Florence began in Italy in 2004. We quickly grew selling our bags and accessories all over Europe, the UK and the USA. In 2007 we decided to move back to sunny Sydney, and make it our home. We started offering our products at the Bondi and Balmain markets. Things took off from there and the Australian quarters of Republic of Florence were born.
In a world where everything moves and changes so quickly, I’m proud to say that for us nothing has changed. After all these years, we still work with the same artisans. From our trusted tanneries in the Tuscany region where we source the highest grade, vegetable tanned leathers, to the crafts people in our Florentine factory where we produce our bags by hand and in small batches.
All Republic of Florence products are designed here in Australia & extensively tested for quality of design and functionality before being handcrafted in Florence Italy.
Our leather is vegetable tanned using only natural tannins, this ensures no negative impact on the environment. Today, only 10% of the world’s leather is processed this way. This artisan technique, centuries old, develops a rich and beautiful patina on the leather that actually gets better with time and use.
We endeavour to enrich our customer’s lives with our beautiful, timeless pieces. Each bag is unique, crafted without compromise for premium quality and design.
We make the finest quality leather products that will last a lifetime and beyond, for generations to come.
Kira & Dimitri Bandinelli
Our PROMISE
ITALIAN FULL GRAIN CALF-SKIN LEATHER. ALWAYS
It doesn’t get any more authentic than Florentine leather. Each of our bags is handmade from the real deal. Vegetable tanned without the use of chemicals. You’ll know from the moment you breathe in the leather that your Republic of Florence purchase is authentically, classically, truly Italian.
YOU WON’T FIND ANYTHING ELSE QUITE LIKE IT
We pride ourselves on designs that are as unique as they are functional. And because each bag is handcrafted with naturally tanned leather, it will have naturally occurring variations that are unique only to it. Just like a person, no two of our bags are the same. Your bag will be as unique as you are.
EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE
We genuinely care that you love your bag and that it’s everything you hope it to be. We want your experience with us to be memorable from the moment you click purchase. We believe in exceptional customer service and we back the quality of our product – that’s why we offer easy returns and a warranty that will look after you, and your bag.
