Whether she’s creating custom made dog aprons inspired by her own Maltese, Talbot, or
painting watercolor alphabet cards for her young relatives, Claudia puts equal parts heart
and craftmanship into each endeavor. Her bags are the fruit of weekly treasure hunts for
exceptional vintage and unusual leathers. Although she occasionally revisits an original
prototype model, such as the Adele, her very first bag named in honor of her newborn
niece, each piece is unique, with the choice of leather itself guiding the final design.

A Hidden Leather Atelier Near the Pantheon

Located near the Pantheon, Claudia’s atelier occupies a historically protected artisanal
space and it also hosts the multi-generational Petrocchi family of shoemakers. One of the
first things visitors may notice is the charming red wooden rocking horse present in the
shop and repeated throughout in the brand’s logo. Originally Claudia’s childhood toy, it
later became the display stand for the very first bags she sold at local markets. That quiet
tribute to childhood runs through the atelier, where one of the most popular gifts is a
splendidly crafted weekend bag, personalized with the lucky recipient’s initials for a
baptism, graduation gift, or other special occasion.

On my first visit, one such bag was there, waiting to be claimed. Beyond admiring the
impeccable leatherwork, I was struck by Claudia’s wide creative and technical range:
luxurious suede-backed wall calendars, bicycle seats, elegant furniture frames awaiting a
leather transformation and a plethora of other handcrafted projects.

Handmade Leather Bags with a Twist

Amongst the bags, the range was equally impressive: chic multicolored satchels sit next to
periwinkle-blue backpacks that from a distance appear to be neoprene, but are, in fact,
made of leather. Oversized beach-inspired shoppers, along with more compact city bags,
combined crisp white fabric with black or forest green leather strips that culminated in
breezy fringes, putting a fresh, contemporary twist on summer accessories and an oNering
an unexpected take on leatherwork. At the opposite end of the spectrum, sleek black
handbags with a satiny sheen also defied belief that they were actually leather and came in
interesting forms from a compact retro-inspired handbag to one to a softly structured,
intriguing shoulder bag.

Another standout were the wonderfully original lion-headed bags. During my visit, there
were models available in red, navy and black but they can be customized in both color,
style and dimension. They immediately reminded me of the protective lion sculptures and
doorknockers that adorn so many historic Italian estates and palazzi.

Honest Craftsmanship and One-of-a-Kind Design

Claudia herself is eminently approachable, modest and down to earth. Each WeBag is
crafted in her workshop as a one-of-a-kind creation, inspired by the leather material that
caught her eye. The prices are extremely, and surprisingly, aNordable, despite the
exceptional level of craftmanship, but Claudia says she believes deeply in the principle of
“honest pricing.”

Leather Workshops in Rome

Watching Claudia work, it’s hard not to want to try your hand at leatherwork yourself.
Fortunately, Claudia also offers various onsite workshops, tailored to various levels of
experience. Beginners can learn to create their own pochette in just a few hours, before
progressing to more advanced workshops in which they can make an entire bag from start
to finish… Sign me up!

Plan Your Visit

Monday – Saturday 10:30- 7 p.m.
Viccolo delle Ceste 29 Rome
(39)3284322455
Instagram handle : webag2011
Facbook: WeBag Rome
www.webagfactory.com