The Leather School is located in the historic Monastery of Santa Croce and its creation was a collaborative effort of the Franciscan friars of the Basilica of Santa Croce and of Laura’s family, leather artisans in Florence since the 1930s. Its purpose was to offer leather-crafting courses to orphans of the war. The Leather School continues to enroll students from all over the world. In addition, the school’s showrooms offer clients the possibility to buy original hand-crafted leather products.
Laura took over as president after the death of her father; her sisters and son also work with her. Francesca Gori designs a line of contemporary handbags, Barbara Gori manages the administration, and Laura’s son Tommaso Melani is the Marketing Manager.
What do you love about Florence?
The arts. When I was young and just married, I lived for a few years in Oxford, England. The time I spent away from Florence made me realise the wealth of art we have here. I love that it’s a small enough city to walk anywhere. I also love that I can live in the “country” and be only 10 minutes away from the city.
What don’t you like, or what is the hardest for you?
I find the Florentine mentality difficult. Sometimes, I feel the people can be like our streets – narrow. Florentines aren’t always welcoming and open.
When you leave Florence for a period of time, what do you miss?
I miss my work and my dogs
Where is your favourite place to get an aperitif?
Rivoire in Piazza Signoria.
to get a cappuccino in the morning?
I usually only “go out” for a cappuccino on Sundays, when I go to a bar near my church in San Domenico.
to go for Sunday brunch?
I love to stay home on Sundays, or go for a drive in the country and not plan where I will stop. I just look for a comfortable Trattoria with a charming atmosphere (meaning no neon, or other kinds of terrible lighting).
to go out with your family?
In the summer, I like to have my family together at our beach house in Le Focette and have them stay for lunch and then relax at il Bagno La Bussola.
In the winter, to be together by the fireplace at my house, which is the house where I grew up.
to go for dinner?
Cibreo, Harry’s Bar.
What’s your favourite Italian dish?
Penne Strascicate.
Your favourite romantic thing to do?
Sitting in my home near San Domenico overlooking Florence with a direct view of Santa Croce while sipping a wonderful glass of wine and listening to my music.
When you have guests where do you like to take them? Museum, church, street, store?
Piazza Signoria, walking on the little streets, and to Harry’s Bar.
What is your preferred out-of-town excursion?
Chianti, maybe a place like Radda in Chianti.
You are a literature major; what is your favourite Italian book and why?
Il Gattopardo by Tomasi di Lampedusa (you can find it in English also). I love it because it combines history, poetry, and psychology in a novel. It tells how much Italy has changed without changing at all.
If you had only one day in Florence, how would you spend the day?
I would go to the Uffizi and see some of the paintings I could not live without. I also would go to Santa Croce and then to see the Pontormo in the Church of Santa Felicità.
What advice would you have about living here and how to appreciate it the most?
Study the language. Culture is what gives you a better life and language is the key to any culture. Don’t shy away from doing something for fear it might be too “touristy,” the tourist sights usually became that way for a reason. Eat good Italian food slowly!
What is the most common misunderstanding, Americans (English speakers) have about Florence?
That Florence will be like a tourist book, and that real things like garbage, pollution, traffic, graffiti will not be there. That Florence will be the same as it was in the Renaissance.
What is the most common misunderstanding Italians have about Americans (English speakers)?
That Americans lack culture and that they don’t know how to be elegant.
Who has been the most, or one of the most interesting people you have met here?
Our family used to have a contemporary art gallery, and I have met so many fascinating, creative, and wonderful artists, it’s difficult to name just one.
If you were going to describe Florence as a person or personality, how would you do it?
An elegant, beautiful woman who has a depth of culture but who can also be very arrogant.
What do you think the “gift” is of living in Florence…..what has it been for you? How have you changed by being in Florence?
Actually, though I love that I am Florentine and live here, I think I am more aware of the limitations living here has had on my life, rather than the “gift.” I think I would have been more excited, more innovative, more powerful; I would have been “unstoppable,” if I had lived in the States or in England. And I don’t think I would have ever returned on a permanent basis.
