Building a Maison: My Journey as Head of Handbag Design at Maison Fagiano

I was truly delighted to be appointed Head of Handbag Design at Maison Fagiano. This role gave me the rare opportunity to create and shape the full identity of the maison. Beyond designing the handbag collection itself, I also developed the branding and textile designs for the scarves, ensuring a coherent and distinctive aesthetic universe.

Maison Fagiano was born in the heart of the Mediterranean, where colours are vibrant, the breeze is warm, and the air carries notes of sea salt and rosemary. A place where elegance feels entirely natural. This spirit was infused into every creation. As we described it at the time: Maison Fagiano’s products are handcrafted in an atelier in the heart of Milan. Every detail meets Haute Couture expectations and follows the classical rules of Italian craftsmanship.

For me, this project marked my first major achievement in London and remains one of my most meaningful professional experiences. It taught me a great deal about my ability to manage a high volume of work in another language, while fully immersing myself in the world of luxury handbags. I’m working closely with leather suppliers, developing bespoke hardware, and mastering the technical precision required at this level.

Our manufacturer once shared feedback that deeply touched me: despite working with many luxury handbag brands, they had rarely encountered such dedication to detail, particularly in the creations and technical packs. For those outside the industry, a technical pack is the essential document for each model, containing every specification required for production from materials and hardware references to suppliers, measurements, and consumption.

Using one of these handbags creates a genuine connection between the wearer and the savoir-faire behind it. The materials are both delicate and durable; the hardware is bonded with 20 microns of real gold; and when the bag opens, the gold leather interior softly catches the light, creating an understated yet luxurious visual effect. High finishing of this calibre is rare.

Unfortunately, following Covid, the ultra-luxury sector became extremely challenging for small maisons like Maison Fagiano. A difficult but necessary decision was made to close the main line, while keeping the bespoke service alive allowing the essence of the maison to continue through made-to-measure creations.

Maison Fagiano by Geoffrey SAS

Evening bag in black python with pheasant feathers

Evening bag in black and royal blue python

Evening bag in burgundy silk velvet

Evening bag in black calf and shagreen (it's a fish skin)

City bag in corail red calf and printed silk scarf

City bag in corail red calf and printed silk scarf

City bag in corail red calf and printed silk scarf

City bag in corail red calf and printed silk scarf

City bag in black calf and printed silk scarf

City bag in beige embossed calf and printed silk scarf

Backpack in mint green calf

Black box leather

Leopard pattern printed on cow skin with black box leather details

Leopard pattern printed on cow skin with black box leather details

Leopard pattern printed on cow skin with black box leather details

Work bag in black python and printed silk scarf

Work bag in black python and printed silk scarf

Work bag in black python and printed silk scarf

Work bag in optic white calf and printed silk scarf