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ODP
When Officina Del Poggio founder Allison Hoeltzel Savini moved from Texas to Italy two decades ago for grad school, European fast fashion was still in its infancy. “I was coming from a time in the US where everyone was building huge wardrobes, and huge custom closets to fit everything in,”—the antithesis to ODP’s mission to create timeless, wear-everywhere leather accessories that stand the test of time. After spending nearly ten years developing lines for some familiar luxury labels, Savini decided to branch out on her own to reclaim the “Made In Italy” stamp with its utilitarian, heirloom-quality bags.
While ODP gained quick success with buyers at Barneys and Moda Operandi thanks to its signature Water Bottle Bag—a collaboration with model and sustainability activist Arizona Muse—Savini pivoted to a DTC model in 2019 after realizing how unsustainable it was to satisfy the demands of large retailers. “It was completely taking me off-track of my brand vision.”
Officina Del Poggio translates to workshop in the hills—a nod to Savini’s Bologna-based studio where she dreams up every style. Each bag, which is shipped in recycled, plastic-free packaging, is hand-crafted in Italy with a mix of new and off-cut fabrics from local mills. “The very first inspirations for the brand were from looking at beautiful vintage pieces and how they still remained relevant today,” says Savini, who still spends time “camping out at the traditional coffee shops in Milan and Bologna to observe the very chic elderly women, also known as sciure. And now, the brand has returned to its mission: “to create timeless, classic pieces that become staples in one’s wardrobe.” Mission accomplished.
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