Florence is well known for producing hand crafted leather goods. Some studenti had the chance to see this century old process in action during an afternoon excursion to la Scuola del Cuoio, a leather workshop inside the monastery of Santa Croce. Scuola del Cuoio was established after World War II by the Gori and Casini families to provide orphans with a practice trade work experience. Abbey Road students were able to see artisans creating handbags, belts, and other items, touch leather samples, and witness the gilding process of adding gold leaf to personalize these hand crafted items.
Listening to a demonstration of the gilding process
Daniela considers the ornate handbags
Feeling leather samples
