Daniel & Bob is an Italian leather bag brand. They have produced numerous sophisticated bags crafted by highly skilled artisans using materials developed in-house. Their signature material, "RODI," boasts a unique texture and beautiful aging process, making it a favorite among many long-time users. This article explores the allure of Daniel & Bob.

View Daniel & Bob products at the Mitsukoshi Isetan online store.

[History] It all started with a belt

In the late 1960s, amidst the global hippie movement, Daniel & Bob began as a handmade belt crafted in a friend's garage by a fellow student at the University of Ferrara for his friends. Word of mouth led to increased demand, and today, the brand offers bags, wallets, and leather accessories, all crafted from high-quality leather materials.



As exemplified by the words of founder Andrea Bortolotti, "I want to create things that will be cherished for a long time by people who carefully select only those things that suit their sensibilities and enjoy a simple life. And I want to offer things that allow people to rediscover their own style by acquiring them," the brand has inherited a passion and sincere approach to manufacturing, captivating many fans and continuing to this day.

What are the three main charms of Daniel & Bob...?

[Craftsmanship Edition] The overwhelming "craftsmanship" of uncompromising artisans

Daniel & Bob's high quality is supported by the uncompromising work of artisans known as "Artigianos," who possess highly refined skills honed to the demanding standards required by the luxury brand.

Its roots lie in the craftsmen of a large, high-end shoe factory that had been operating since the 1910s in Ferrara, the northern Italian city where Daniel & Bob was founded. At the time of its founding, the company already possessed the knowledge and skills of artisans and technicians, who operated processing equipment known as "artigiano" or "tecnico," passed down for over 60 years. Their skills, which were shared by founder Andrea and led them to join the manufacturing process, dramatically improved quality and became a major driving force in expanding Daniel & Bob's product range and productivity.


Driven by the insatiable curiosity of craftsmen who constantly innovate their own techniques, Italy's top-end manufacturing goes beyond inherited traditional skills. It continues to evolve by leveraging the technology of machine tools that support those skills, mastering their use, and even customizing them to add unique specifications.


--- Creating a handle that fits comfortably in your hand

The handles used on these briefs, known as "Jill Handles," are the result of inherited and evolved techniques. These thick handles, crafted from three layers of leather without any interlining and finished with hand stitching, are designed to fit comfortably in the hand. The edges, known as Costa, are polished and painted repeatedly until the craftsmen are completely satisfied, resulting in a smooth finish. The tactile feel of the handles, which come into direct contact with the skin and greatly influence the user's perception, embodies the craftsmanship that can be felt every time you grip them.



---A single piece that showcases the craftsman's skill

Similarly, Daniel & Bob's signature single-layer construction is something that can only be showcased through the skill of their craftsmen. In single-layer construction, which does not use lining or interlining and does not hide the seams, the thickness of the material, the width of the seam allowance, and the angle are all carefully set depending on the type of material and the location of the part, making the precise finishing of each part all the more important.



The craftsmen make this possible by checking the finish of the parts, making fine adjustments to the equipment even during the process, and sometimes even customizing the equipment itself. This allows for a clean, uncluttered look inside, while maximizing the characteristics of the materials to create a light and airy finish.

[Design Section] Pursuing a unique "design" that is loved by those who appreciate authenticity.

Daniel & Bob's designs are considered creative yet functional, user-friendly, and timelessly simple. Numerous trials and errors are conducted to create these original and universally appealing designs.


Designers come up with ideas and sketch in their studios, touching materials while overlooking the factory, while craftsmen, drawing on their traditional skills, create prototypes incorporating small inventions and new suggestions. Through further refinement and consideration, ideas are stimulated, and designs are born.

[Materials Section] The world that can be expressed through "materials" developed in-depth.

Ferrara, where Daniel & Bob is located, is situated about two and a half hours midway between Santa Croce, a suburb of Florence often called the mecca of vegetable-tanned leather made from natural materials, and Vicenza, near Venice, which excels in chrome processing that produces leather with superior color and physical properties—both of Italy's leading leather-producing regions.



The fact that they develop the "materials" themselves through connections with tanneries in both regions, as well as various leather processing factories scattered throughout the area, including dyeing, printing, and finishing workshops, is a testament to their sincere pursuit of craftsmanship. The materials developed through joint development with these partners, and sometimes through repeated trial and error of material and processing combinations over many seasons, are mostly exclusive materials or original in-house developed materials, creating a world that can only be expressed by Daniel & Bob. The materials, which can be enjoyed as they age and change with use, will continue to captivate people as their appearance changes.

[Material Variations] A variety of developed "materials" that exude diverse appeal.

Daniel & Bob's signature materials come in a variety of types. Let's take a closer look at some of their most popular materials and five newly introduced ones.

Enjoy the unique wrinkled texture and feel of "RODI".

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Many people have likely seen "RODI," a brand made by artisans using a vegetable tanning method unique to the Santa Croce region, which uses only natural materials. This exclusive material is developed in collaboration with a leading tannery that is a member of the Italian Vegetable Tanning Association, which only allows trusted tanneries that employ this method to join.


The material, which has been given an irregular wrinkled texture by hand over time, is further finished with a unique deep texture and color through a hand-painting technique called "pinto a mano." This unique texture will become more familiar to the touch as you use it over time, and you can enjoy the changes in color and luster as it ages through vegetable tanning.


Original double-faced material "ALCE accopiato"

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The original "Alce accopiato" is a double-faced material created by bonding luxurious suede to shrink leather "ALCE". This material, made by a reputable tannery in the Vicenza region, has beautiful and stable color, is soft, and scratches are not easily noticeable, making it a material that can be used without worry every day. By bonding suede to this shrink material, which is used by many manufacturers due to its ease of maintenance, the softness of the surface is preserved while achieving a firm texture.

Furthermore, to achieve the lightness of the Sfoderato material, it is made without interlining and using a single-layer construction method where the seams are not hidden by the lining, resulting in a bag that is soft yet firm and lightweight. It is a material that gives an elegant and stylish impression and is popular with people of all genders.

ALICANTE: A delicate yet firm leather that you'll want to nurture with love.

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This material is a classic vachetta leather that was used when the company was founded, but through recipe improvements, it has become more supple and capable of deeper colors. The natural surface of the leather is delicate and reacts to even slight scratches and light, but with loving care, these scratches and the subtle sheen that gradually emerges with age will blend into the leather, adding an amber nuance to the color, and you can enjoy watching it develop a unique character.

Made using traditional methods, this leather has a stiffness that limits the types of models that can be made from it. However, by taking advantage of the material's firm characteristics and using traditional single-piece construction techniques, all models made from this material are given a modern and simple design, resulting in an attractive, object-like form. The unique shapes created by the special sewing machines developed for sewing stiff vachetta leather, and the beautiful edge finishing honed in a belt factory, are also distinctive features of this line.

The new material is "WAXY CANVAS," which excels in lightness and functionality.

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This new cotton canvas material features a PU coating with a dull, waxy sheen. It's water-repellent, has a firm texture, and is made from a single piece of fabric. Its understated sheen and surprisingly light weight are key features! The combination of water-resistant zippers and the texture of black leather trim in key areas creates a fresh new line.

A new world created by canvas and leather: "CLASSIC CANVAS"

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This sports line uses thick canvas woven at a cotton factory near Milan with which Daniel & Bob has a long-standing relationship, and trims key areas with Cuoio material. Made using a single-piece construction method without a lining, it is extremely lightweight, but thicker Cuoio material is used in areas where durability is required, such as the handles and corners, achieving a balance between Daniel & Bob's texture and lightness.

[Item Spotlight] Top 3 Popular Products from ISETAN MEN'S !

Daniel & Bob offers a diverse range of products in terms of materials and designs. This time, we'll introduce some of the most popular items at Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building . Enjoy the fun of choosing a bag to match the occasion and your style!

1. Tote bag LEVIN

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The popular "LEVIN" business tote bag has been updated with a single panel design to better showcase the "RODI" material. "RODI," considered an iconic material of Daniel & Bob, is an original material created using traditional vegetable tanning techniques with only natural materials, undergoing numerous manual processes. Its unique wrinkled texture and the deep color and sheen achieved through hand-painting are its main attractions.

Beyond the materials, the bag's user-friendly design with zippered closures on both sides of the three compartments, and its spacious shoulder-carry tote briefcase style are also reasons for its popularity among customers. A slightly smaller A4 size is also available, so please choose the size that best suits your needs and occasions.

2. Shoulder bag JASMINE

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A mini size variation of the classic iconic model "JASMINE" is now available exclusively at Isetan Shinjuku and the Mitsukoshi Isetan online store, and can also be used as a body bag. The handle, made entirely of leather and polished and painted multiple times, is initially sturdy, but becomes more comfortable to the touch as you use it, developing a unique character over time. The satisfying touch will make you feel like you've bought something truly special every time you hold it. This item will develop a unique "RODI" character as you continue to use it, allowing you to enjoy it for years to come. This model truly embodies the brand's policy of providing products that can be used and cherished for a long time.

3. Tote bag PENELOPE

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This model showcases meticulous attention to detail, from its single-piece construction to the polished edges on the sides, which also serve as a design highlight. The boat-shaped design with upturned sides creates a smart look that allows A4 documents to fit horizontally while maintaining a clean appearance. The double-faced shrink leather material, bonded with suede, is both soft and firm, giving it an elegant feel, and the way it softens nicely with use adds to its long-lasting appeal. The vibrant colors, ease of care thanks to the chrome-tanned shrink leather, and resistance to scratches are also major advantages.


Daniel & Bob bags are full of charm, showcasing the skills of their craftsmen, their designs, and their use of original materials. We encourage you to experience them for yourself.

View Daniel & Bob products at the Mitsukoshi Isetan online store.