Italian leather goods, The Bridge’s success story

Established in 1975, the brand ofThe Bridge stands out for the production and marketing of high-grade leather goods and accessories.

This year, the Italian brand might close 2013 with revenues for Euro 23 million, and with a better exports mix compared to 2012 allocation: 63 vs. 65 per cent in Italy, and 37 vs. 35 per cent abroad. However, The Bridge marketing manager, Lorenzo Ferri, recently highlighted to the Italian daily Il Sole 24 Ore that the aim of the company is the one of stabilizing 60 per cent of its sales in Italy, and 40 per cent abroad, possibly before 2015.

The product range of this Italian company includes luggage, travel bags, briefcases, ladies handbags and small leather goods for a total of about 700 items. Among its key pieces, there are briefcases, doctor bags and lady's shoulder bags. Each product is made by using expert craftsmanship, aimed to target an audience of customers that prefers a classic elegance and understated luxury, with attention to quality and details. Accordingly, the full-grained leather, artisan work and brass finishings have become the distinctive elements of the brand.

This year, the company has just announced its new cooperation with fashion designer Eduardo Wongvalle to create a "capsule bag" for me to be launched at Pitti Uomo in January next year. Mr. Wongvalle has been chosen for his solid experience with luxury brands such as Bottega Veneta, Dior, Emanuel Ungaro, Nina Ricci, Giorgio Armani and Bulgari. Accordingly, it seems realistic to forecast that with his help The Bridge might aim at repositioning its own brand in the Italian and international luxury sector. Actually, it was Mr. Ferri himself clarifying that The Bridge's business plan is the one of using targeted collaborations to grow the allure of the brand, always in accordance with the traditional rules of the company.

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