By Vittoria Giubbolini. Cover image: Darien Attridge via unsplash.
What makes something truly luxurious today? Perhaps the answer lies in the time it takes to create it. As fashion moves faster and production becomes increasingly standardised, embroidery invites us to reconsider the value of what we wear and bring into our homes. Every stitch requires skill and attention, giving each piece a character that reflects the hands behind it. This renewed interest in craftsmanship also reflects a change in how we think about luxury. Personalisation makes an object feel closer to its owner, while traditional techniques offer an alternative to disposable trends. Knowing how something was made can become as meaningful as the finished piece itself. Florence has a particularly rich relationship with this tradition. Its history of textile production continues through workshops that have passed down their expertise across generations. At the same time, contemporary artists are exploring embroidery as a creative medium, giving familiar techniques new forms of expression. From clothing to textile artworks, these five places reveal how the handmade is finding its place in contemporary culture.
1. Loretta Caponi — The Art of Everyday Elegance
Few names represent Florence’s embroidery tradition quite like Loretta Caponi. Founded in 1967, the house specialises in hand-embroidered nightwear and home linens, combining traditional techniques with a distinctive approach to colour. Its Florentine atelier preserves an extensive archive of embroidery designs and offers personalised creations. From a cotton nightdress to an embroidered pillowcase, the focus is on transforming everyday essentials into pieces designed to be treasured for years.
2. Taf Ricami — A Century of Embroidery Heritage
Located near Ponte Vecchio, Taf Ricami traces its origins to the Cappellini-Chiti family business, established in 1919. Since 1954, its shop has occupied the same location in Por Santa Maria. Inside, hand-embroidered tablecloths and bed linens sit alongside children’s clothing. Personalisation is an important part of its offering, making it an interesting destination for anyone looking for a traditional piece with an individual touch.
3. B. Del Secco — Embroidery for the Contemporary Home
Founded in 1968 from Bruna Del Secco’s passion for embroidery, B. Del Secco is a family business specialising in decorative home textiles. Its collections include embroidered tablecloths and personalised linens, bringing traditional craftsmanship into everyday domestic spaces. The appeal lies in the possibility of making functional objects more individual through carefully considered details.
4. Atelier Taftique — When Embroidery Becomes Art
Atelier Taftique explores the relationship between embroidery and contemporary textile art. Founded by artist Jules Vissers, who studied Art Textiles at the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence, the atelier creates tufted and hand-embroidered tapestries. Each work is unique and signed, using natural yarns or fibres derived from recycled materials selected in Prato. Here, thread becomes an artistic medium, transforming traditional textile techniques into contemporary pieces that connect craftsmanship with design.
5. Grazia Giachi — The Beauty of Made-to-Measure Linens
At Grazia Giachi, embroidery is closely connected to the art of living. The Florentine boutique specialises in fine household textiles, with particular attention to hand embroidery and made-to-measure creations. From bed linens to table settings, the emphasis is on the quality of materials and the possibility of adapting each piece to individual preferences. Its approach reflects a vision of luxury rooted in personalisation and longevity.
