Think of the word ‘signature’ and what comes to mind? An inimitable application of ink? Or a defining finishing detail? What about something that is so subtle that it’s almost invisible to the eye that it becomes a subconscious ID? Valextra’s quietly proud signatures encompass all three.

The black lacquered Costa edging and fine Inchiostro lines you see on all of our pieces are at once understated celebrations of artisanal craftsmanship unique to Valextra.

Costa

The elegant black lacquered edging you see running along the external seams on all Valextra’s designs is called Costa, meaning “rib” in Italian. Outlining the architectural silhouette and meticulous construction of every piece, it imbues refinement and provides reinforcement in equal measure.

For decades, our dedicated artisans have perfected this five-step handmade process spending hours on every single piece. Firstly, the edges are delicately sanded twice to create a raw surface for the application of our jet-black ink. This unique three-dimensional formula is applied three times by paintbrush, being left to dry for hours in between each coat. The result? A flawless and distinctive finish.



Inchiostro

The fine outlines you see on all the interior of all Valextra’s designs and predominantly on all our small leather goods are called Inchiostro lines, meaning “ink” in Italian. They are used to refine the outline of details such as pockets and card slots, imbuing the precision with which we are associated.

Photography: Delfino Sisto Legnani