Looking for a place where to find beautiful handmade aprons to give your foodie friends? Before you leave Florence, make sure you visit textile workshop Ratafià.
I have a thing for handmade aprons. They’re functional, fashionable (well, that’s my opinion) and authentic pieces of art. If you or your foodie friends share my love for beautiful aprons, here’s where you should go to find them in Florence. Nestled in a tiny street that crosses Viale Petrarca, Ratafià is located just a few steps from Piazza Tasso. Besides handmade aprons, you will also find a wide selection of kitchen accessories. Pot holders and towels literally won my heart.
Run by creative Valentina and Laura, Ratafià is both a concept store featuring hand-made items and a laboratory. Here, all kinds of cool classes (ceramic, photography, knitting etc.) are offered monthly. It is not just a place where to buy handmade aprons and kitchen tools, but also a workshop where you can learn how to design and make your own. At Ratafià, each item is thoughtfully put together and a unique piece. Nature is a constant source of inspiration for Ratafià founders, who artistically paint fishes, plants and flowers on their handmade aprons. They are 100% made of natural fabrics (such as cotton, linen, and hemp) and dyed with non-artificial and environmentally friendly colors.
Another reason to love Ratafià?
Independent stores like Ratafià are one of the reasons why I love the Oltrarno [ oltr = beyond + arno = Arno river], the left bank of the city, which is known as the artisan district of Florence. Far from the chain stores and the noisy crowds of tourists, the Oltrarno is a quiet yet lively area, populated by artists and designers who have massively chosen to establish their studios on this side of town. A working-class neighborhood until late-20th-century gentrification, the Oltrarno is now considered by many as the “Williamsburg” of Florence.The neighborhood is indeed a democratic mixture of true luxuries and second-hand treasures. Last December, The New York Times even dedicated one of its Fashion Intersection videos to the dynamic and diverse community living in the proximity of Piazza Santo Spirito.
Ratafià – Via del Casone 3, Firenze