The London Lounge

I posted this in the belts section, but thought it might be more useful as it's own topic. Beatrice is a great source for bespoke leather goods, and a craftsman of the highest quality...

There is a woman in San Francisco named Beatrice Amblard who makes all sorts of bespoke leather goods. She worked for Hermes for many years, first in Paris, then doing in-shop belt and wallet making in their San Francisco store. She has all of her hides tanned to her exact specifications, as well her exotic skins done to her own personal finishes. She has a finish called millenium alligator that is slightly shinier than matte, and is beautiful. She also has gold, rose gold and sterling removeable buckles made to her specifications.

Prices are not cheap, as an Alligator belt with a removeable silver buckle runs just shy of 1k, but the quality of her work is Hermes plus. If you have any request, she will be able to satisfy it and to guide you towards the best possible design for your ideas. She also will do all of the maintenance and repair of her work (usually free). Her website is www.aprilinparis.us. If anybody wants more pics, I will be happy to post some. She has a private section of her site which has a lot of pictures.

At her shop, she usuall has a few belts and a few small wallets ready to sell, but 90% of her work is exclusively bespoke. I should also add that she does all of the work by her own hand. She does not outsource.

Thanks for that, iammatt!
That's the kind of bespoke source many of us are interesting in learning about.

You mentioned elsewhere a luggage maker in Naples....could you tell us about that?

uppercase wrote:Thanks for that, iammatt!
That's the kind of bespoke source many of us are interesting in learning about.

You mentioned elsewhere a luggage maker in Naples....could you tell us about that?

Tramontano in Naples makes great luggage. i do not know how much bespoke work they do, but they make the nicest canvas luggage I have seen. They do a lot of ork with leather, but to me their most interesting luggage is canvas and leather with wood accents. As with most great things made in naples, the products are esentially British with a Southern Italian accent.

Sadly, as I do not have my own airplane, I have come to realize that unless I am taking a short trip, the main outcome of having nice luggage is the pain of seeing it beat up at the baggage claim.

Beat up luggage just adds desirable patina!
Just like wearing in a new suit so that it starts to conform to your body and shows the struggles that you've been through.

Any other recommendations in Naples based on your trip there?

Yes, April in Paris is lovely. They also have some bags which I feel look rather similar to Hermes.

Are you located in San Francisco?

uppercase wrote:Just like wearing in a new suit so that it starts to conform to your body and shows the struggles that you've been through.

Shall I consider inkstains on my trousers a mark of distinction then?

Best,

E

If you don't have ink stains, then it only shows that you are unnecessarily fastidious rather than more elegantly throw away.

Ink stains, tobacco burns, unremovable lipstick, wine stains - all good stuff.

uppercase wrote:Beat up luggage just adds desirable patina!
Just like wearing in a new suit so that it starts to conform to your body and shows the struggles that you've been through.

Any other recommendations in Naples based on your trip there?

Eddy Monetti is worth seeing if only because thay have a huge stock of goods. The one in Rome is equally good. Marinella is fun because you can pick ties from the different fabrics. Obviously London House is great. I believe that if you call ahead you can see teh Kiton factory, although, being on my Honeymoon, we did not.

Honestly, and I love Neapolitan clothing, the best part of Naples is seeing it as you leave on your way to Capri.

As for Beatrice, I imagine her stuff looks like Hermes for two reasons. First, she worked for Hermes for years. Second, it is difficult to stray to far from classic designs when you are doing traditional leather goods.