Thursday, 25 August 2011

Fabris Pelletteria, Via Belsiana 12/13, Rome.

This is a rather rubbish photo of the exterior of "Fabris Pelletteria" (a pelletteria being a leather goods shop), tucked away on the side steets between the Via del Corso and Piazza di Spagna. As any bad workman does, I blame my tools. In this case, the sun, my schooling, the camera and the too highly polished windows.

Anyway, this is one of my favourite shops in Rome. A family run leather goods store, it's been in business (in a number of locations across the city) for around 100 years. It has the kind of tightly squished style of storage that I love and seem only to be found in pelletterias and second hand goods stores. The rummage is on!
Oh... tempting to get involved, is it not?
Behind the counter is Angela, the daughter of the current poprietor. She didn't want to be photographed, so I had to buy something to soften her stance up. Well, someone's gotta do it.
This was the sale box of wallets, card holders, purses etc., all stored in a rather nice briefcase. When was the last time you saw one of those in broad daylight? Time for a comeback, perhaps.
Wallets strewn about, bags hanging from random hooks, handbags hidden in nooks and corners....
Angela is still not happy about this!

LinkAnd here's their website: www.fabrisleathergoods.com

Thursday, 4 August 2011

Pisapia Calzature, Via Volturno 54, Roma 00185.

Here are the padrone of Pisapia shoe shop in the vicinity of Termini Station. From left to right, it's Antonella and then Michela. Ciao!
They're the latest generation of owners, and their descendents have been tying laces and offering shoe horns to customers since the 1920s. Hasn't changed much in here, either
Anyway, I rather liked this simple but rather elegant shop. It's got some, shall we say, "homely" touches, like, as you can see on the left of this shot, some sporting trophies on display (not that you can buy the boots worn, mind!).
I liked how it was divided in two, too- with the trying on area to the back and the till area to the front. Spacious and comfortable!
One thing that you notice about shops of a certain era (fast disappearing, though) is that all the shoes (or at least the majority) are kept within the main part of the shop. Not disappearing off for the staff here, no trendy radio mics to unknown workers backstage to fish the shoes out. This one has nice steps to the upper levels of the shop for those less reachable shoes. 38inch stilletos wouldn't do the trick.
Nice flooring and wood work at the entrance, where, as usual, the shoes are nicely displayed.
Er, this is the floor. Solid!

... and this is the back of the entrance display case. I like how it is nicely curved and beautifully cut.