San Mauro Pascoli | Yuri

If there’s nothing off-the-wall in the range with the Yuri brand, it’s the softest top-notch leathers, the superb craftsmanship and the relaxed styles that set these bags apart. And yes, this is yet another of those inspiring family companies that’s reached, and stayed at, the top if its game by equating quality with Made in Italy and trading off … absolutely nothing. Made in San Mauro Pascoli, to be really precise, the little town half-way between Cesena and Rimini where today’s Yuri Fashion Group, 40 years on, still concentrates every aspect of the business from design to production and now makes the environment a priority too. Distribution takes the gorgeous goods only a little farther afield: Yuri sells exclusively through its own stores all located in the same historic Romagna region.

Back to the beginning, and it’s all in the leather. Yuri selects only the finest, scrupulously tanned to preserve all its natural qualities and that includes the unique marks on each real hide. Meticulous finishings depend on end use, which means they depend largely on Yuri Gobbi, designer and product manager. That said, this is still a craft company, a family concern in which everyone chips in to accomplish a common goal: a range of leather goods beautifully crafted down to the smallest detail. They’re built to last: Yuri‘s signature line of colourful big totes, handbags and clutches goes on and on, while each season brings not a whole new collection but integrations. You could settle for the styles available in the online store. Or make this another good reason to head for one of the classy Romagna beach-and-nightlife resorts, where soon you’ll find Yuri Fashion Group hospitality too – a new venture. Work started recently on a boutique hotel with café and restaurant in the heart of Cesenatico, a renovation by architect Emanuele Gardini of an early 20th-century villa, with the new interiors designed by Roberto Marconi.