The Bespoke Art of Packaging

The stylistic ‘citations’ of the two iconic bags byBertoni 1949 - a hatbox and a 1950s suitcase - are more than evident and reveal the historical imprint of this Varese-based company founded in 1949 by Alberto Bertoni. «These two models originated from researching the archives as well as from a study of the volumes to make them versatile and more suited to present-day life,» says Gaia, Alberto’s daughter. «A process that is still entirely done by hand, the manufacturing phase alone takes 8 hours to model fine materials like suede, nappa leather and brass for the finishings.» It is no wonder then that Casa Bertoni production only counts ‘a mere’ 200 bags per month, and it is no surprise that such precision and uniqueness has allowed this example of Made in Italy to go a long way. «The most extraordinary orders always arrive by word of mouth. As in the case of the jewelry boxes created for the Sultan of Oman. He asked us to make a pyramid-shaped jewel box and a made-to-measure watch case. And he also commissioned us to upholster his carriage in leather.» There are also those who have made jewelry boxes, and not only, their profession, like To Be Packing in Bergamo. «Tailor-made is our key word. We have ten macro categories, from jewelry display cases to wrapping paper, as well as boxes in all shapes, sizes and materials for jewelry and watches. You can find us in the USA, Russia and China where the added value of original design and quality is much appreciated. Whether an order is for one single piece or thousands of pieces, our standards remain the same,» says Valentina Azzia, To Be Packing's export manager, founded in 1999 by husband Stefano Agazzi. «We are also prepared for extravagance. Some examples? A box for a brassiere studded with precious stones and another for a diamond buckle.» 

Photos by Carlo Alberto Macchi