Follow Corto’s star
Corto Moltedo's Priscilla bag
The name Gabrielecorto Moltedo might not ring a bell but I am sure that you know of Bottega Veneta, the illustrious Italian leather powerhouse which revived to great critical claim in the early 2000s. Giles Deacon was the creative mastermind behind this revival, handpicked by owner Laura Moltedo, who had fallen in love with his photographic work.
It was almost a natural step for Laura’s son to follow in the family’s footsteps. But lest you wonder if this is yet another “son of” story, any parallels to Bottega stop here.
Launching his own line in 2004 under the name Corto Moltedo, the young prodigy went on to make his own mark in the world.
Edgy and modern, Corto Moltedo’s pieces leave an impression. A child of the 80s, the designer has worked the classic cassette into a clutch, Daft Punk into a bag and the punk-rock inspirations into chains for an otherwise very-ladylike little clutch called Susan.
For the brand’s fifth anniversary, he opened his first boutique in Paris last January, among the serene colonades of the Jardins du Palais Royal. Designed to his specifications, the store is a creative laboratory and also features an installation by Federico Uribe on the ceiling, a school of fish out of painting implements. Shabby Chic in inspiration, recycled wood and leather handles showcase the exquisite handbags to perfection.
Pop-shock colours, like holographic leather Energy (as seen on our Christmas ornaments), or galuchat and eel skin, none of his choices are expected -or boring. Made in Italy in his own factory, Corto’s pieces are edgy but with the staying power of any luxury brand.
His bags might not yet be mainstream fodder but they have been garnering press and celebrity endorsment of the right kind: seen in the hands and the arms of leading ladies, like Madonna with her M-dolla clutch (variation on the mini cassette clutch), Dita Von Teese, Anjelica Huston, Lindsay Lohan, Jade Jagger, Naomi Campbell, Sharon Stone, among others.
Iconic bags to check out:
- the Priscilla, if you love the Balenciaga motorcycle bags, you’ll love this new take on rock-chic with a bag that transforms from a clutch to a shoulder bag, to a handheld with one flip of its flap.
- the Susan, if you’re a clutch girl. Different strap options and a jewel-like closure make this a decent alternative to any rigid box-clutch, the BV Knot included.
Corto Moltedo bags are found the world over, in shops like
–
Corto Moltedo
Jardins du Palais Royal,
146-148, Galerie de Valois,
75001 Paris
T: +33 (0)1 49 27 97 91
http://www.corto.com
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