By Lori Tyberg, Founder of Siena Wolf
I traveled to Florence to visit the workshop where Siena Wolf handbags are made, just outside the city. The trip also gave me an opportunity to spend time with my family and explore a place I had been looking forward to experiencing.
I left with a deeper connection to the people behind Siena Wolf and a lasting affection for Florence itself. It's beauty, culture, history, food, and hospitality.
Some memories are grand: standing beneath the Duomo or seeing Michelangelo's David. Others are smaller, a wooden door, a bicycle along a narrow street, coffee and pastries at a cafe in a piazza. Together, they are what I think of when I remember Florence.
A Warm Welcome at the Workshop
At the workshop, I was welcomed with warmth and professionalism. The team took their time showing me around, introducing me to the different areas and explaining the work that happened in each. I appreciated being able to ask questions and better understand the place where our bags take shape.
Meeting the mother and son who own the workshop made the visit especially meaningful. The team and I sat down to discuss the collection we were working on and the process ahead. Having that conversation in person, after seeing the workshop and meeting the people there, helped me feel more connected to the work we were doing together.
They also treated me to a wonderful lunch. Their generosity, the time they gave me, and their professional approach contributed to a feeling that stayed with me. I was in the right place. This was the right fit for Siena Wolf.
We also visited the facility where our custom metal hardware is made. Meeting the team and walking through the different stages of production gave me a fuller understanding of the multiple steps involved. Seeing the work firsthand deepened my appreciation for our signature turn lock and the expertise required to bring its design to life.
Discovering the City on Foot
Walking through Florence was one of my favorite parts of the trip. Substantial wooden doors, decorative ironwork, and the details of older buildings continually caught my attention.
I found myself looking closely at an entrance, a façade, or the way a narrow street opened onto a square. There was pleasure in discovering these things as we walked, without needing each one to be a destination.
Some streets were so narrow that I wondered how a car could possibly fit through them. Bicycles added to the character of the scene, and I loved exploring on foot, with time to stop whenever something caught my eye.
The age of the city fascinated me. Buildings and streets that had existed for centuries remained part of everyday life. People moved through them, met for coffee, and went about their days. I enjoyed being able to spend a little time within that rhythm.
Looking up at the Duomo
Standing in the square and admiring the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence's Duomo, was extraordinary. Its scale immediately drew my attention, but the colored marble made me want to keep looking.
Across the building’s surface, there were patterns, colors, and architectural details to take in. I was in awe of the structure and the work it represented. My attention moved between the building as a whole and the smaller elements that made it so remarkable.
Seeing the dome from below gave me an appreciation for its presence that a photograph could only begin to convey. It was one of those moments when I was happy simply to stand and look.
Walking across the Ponte Vecchio offered another beautiful perspective. I loved the views along the river and the contrast with the narrow streets we had been exploring.
Art That Stays With You
Our visit to the Galleria dell’Accademia was another highlight. Seeing Michelangelo’s David at the end of the gallery was incredible. There is something powerful about finally standing before a work you have seen so often in photographs.
The room filled with sculptures also stayed with me. There were so many individual forms and details to look at, and I enjoyed taking the time to absorb them.
I was equally drawn to the medieval paintings, with their vivid colors and gold backgrounds. Moving between the paintings and sculptures made the visit especially rich. Each invited a different kind of attention.
Art was one of the things I loved most about Florence, both within the museum and in the architecture we encountered throughout the city.
The Pleasure of Everyday Moments
Every meal we had was delicious. I loved how fresh everything tasted and how much pleasure there was in sitting down to eat.
Coffee and pastries at a café in a piazza are among my favorite memories. I had what I think was the best latte I’ve ever tasted. After walking and exploring, it was lovely to sit, enjoy the surroundings, and take my time over something so delicious.
The hospitality added to that enjoyment. I felt welcomed, and I came away with an affection for the way of life we experienced during our visit.
The wine windows were another memorable discovery. Small openings in building walls through which wine could be served. I loved finding something so distinctive tucked into the architecture.
My family enjoyed gelato, and the tradition of rubbing the bronze boar’s nose for good luck. Those lighter moments have their own place in my memories alongside the art and architecture.
Looking Forward to Returning
The trip strengthened my connection to the people who help bring Siena Wolf to life. Meeting them, seeing their work, and spending time together confirmed my feeling that I had found the right partners.
Florence itself stayed with me, too. When I think back, I picture the colored marble of the Duomo, the wooden doors and ironwork along narrow streets, and coffee and pastries in a piazza. I remember the pleasure of walking with time to look around.
I’m looking forward to returning, to continue our work, revisit those places, and leave room for new discoveries. And, if I’m fortunate, another latte as good as that one.