Elisa Nepi

Ibiz

Leatherworker

©Imperiale Simonetta

©Stelio Spagnolo

A family affinity with leather

Elisa took over her parents workshop
The first object she made was a bag
She cherishes the relationships she builds with clients

Elisa Nepi born in 1976, first stepped foot into her parents' leather workshop in Rome at a very tender age and has remained captivated by it ever since. After growing up surrounded by the smell of leather, Elisa remained there and became a creative after experience as a cashier. Now she thinks up and creates items, from bags to wallets. Together with her partner's sister and her father Fulvio, under the supervision of her mother Simonetta, Elisa continues the activity that her parents began in 1972, turning her childhood encounter into her career. The difference for her is the relationships she makes with customers: "People like to talk and explain to me what they want. What comes out is not only an object but a testament of a relationship".

Interview

©Stelio Spagnolo

©Stelio Spagnolo

What does leatherworking mean to you?: When working with leather, I'm always reminded of how fundamental the raw material is. Leather lends itself to being shaped, according to one’s creativity. It involves all the senses, from touch to smell.
What is the role of colour?: When I took over the business in 2004, natural brown was dominant. I wanted to diversify and colour was at those times a novelty. Today the trend has been reversed and colour is dominant. I have to think about how to diversify again.
What are your sources of inspiration?: There is not a specific one. I get inspiration by looking at people or speaking to people, reading a magazine or a book, travelling and, generally speaking, by being curious and open to novelties. I get inspiration by being connected to what I see.
What don't people know about your craft?: Costs. People often don’t have any idea of how much it costs me to work on a bag for three days or more. Big brands buy from suppliers a high quantity of leather, so they have “good prices”. Being alone, I buy much less and clearly, it costs me much more.

Elisa Nepi is an expert artisan: she began her career in 1995