FRAU LEMAN Handmade Leather Goods — Local services in Florence

This review is much-overdue! I learned of Frau Leman in early 2019, and I’ve sat admiring Stephanie’s work from afar, ooo-ing and ahh-ing at her designs, the clean lines, the patterns, and the attention to detail ever since! Finally, late this winter, I found myself in a position to purchase one of her pochettes and I couldn’t be happier.

It is the perfect size. When carrying a tote bag to go on local errands, it neatly fits my keys, lip balm, and hand sanitizer, along with my identification card and credit card in the small pocket. When I want to keep my trouser pockets empty, it also serves well carrying my phone and the aforementioned cards. When going to the local community garden for some sunshine, it happens to fit a small slim paperback and my mobile.

I knew I wanted my pochette to be in a navy blue. Stephanie sent me a few dark blues to choose from, and ultimately, I went with the darkest of the bunch — a gorgeous, midnight navy, impossibly soft to the touch while still (thanks to Stephanie’s expert hands and stitching) maintaining the integrity of the pochette’s shape. And the lining! Stephanie sent several options, but I left this to her discretion. The result is a bright, almost whimsical pattern of lemons that offer a burst of sunshine from within the pochette’s inky blue exterior. The pochette is holding up beautifully to daily use and I look forward to its lifetime with me. This is all to say nothing of the shipping, which was exceptionally quick to New York!

If you are looking for a place in Florence to find and source stunning and handcrafted, high-quality leather goods, then you will find it at Frau Leman. If you follow her account on Instagram, you will see that her work is done with as much skill and creativity as it is with integrity and playfulness. In fact, I’ve already my sights on a future purchase: I hope to one day be the owner of a...

I began following Frau Leman after seeing her tagged in Girl in Florence posts on Instagram. As an avid traveler, I've struggled with having to stay put during this pandemic. But, following travel bloggers and artisans on IG has helped me escape reality on a daily basis. And I also appreciate seeing/hearing how other countries and their citizens are managing during these crazy times. Saving money on travel, I've chosen specific things to splurge on and with my anniversary in September being the year of leather gifts, I convinced my husband to buy me a purse and I'd get him a leather belt - both handmade by an artist in Florence, Italy. When I reached out to Stephanie, I received the kindest responses. In addition to asking all sorts of questions about what we were looking for and giving us tons of options to choose from, she shared what it was like to be in Florence during lockdowns and I shared some of what it was like in the states and working in healthcare. I was amazed at how quickly she finished the items and how fast they shipped. When the box showed up, each piece was in its own fabric bag. Opening each one felt like such a treat. Included was a lovely note, a leather Moka pot keychain and some leather conditioner. So many little touches that made the whole experience that much sweeter. I spent less on this beautiful, custom made bag than I would have some designer piece that thousands of other people are carrying. I can't wait to get out and start traveling more and show off my bag. I'm already looking for the next piece I can order from Frau Leman. But I do hope that next time I can walk into her shop and do it all in person. Until then... enjoying her work on Instagram...

I first discovered Frau Leman in 2021. Stephanie’s dedication and enthusiasm for creating quality artisanal leather products is impressive. Speak with her for 5 minutes and you will understand. In the last three years, I’ve purchased a couple of keychains, a bespoke bucket bag, and just recently a passport cover. We should all be so lucky as to invest in items that bring us joy, right? Whenever I pick up my Duomo keychain or my glittery passport cover, I get happy. I literally smile. My bucket bag in a classic caramel not only goes with a lot of my wardrobe, it is the perfect size for my frame, not too big and not too small. She measured me before she made it! I don’t know if it’s the soft buttery leather that makes these items special or is it the love that she puts into the creation, but there’s a positive energy attached. Go check out her adorable shop and I promise you, too, will leave there...