Discover the Spanish Craft Behind the Pasticcino Bag by Weekend Max Mara

Watch how the latest edition of the iconic Pasticcino Bag comes to life in Spain, celebrating artisanal heritage and timeless style.

Launched in 2016 and named after the Italian word for “small pastry,” the Pasticcino Bag by Weekend Max Mara has become a cult favourite. A playful statement clutch with a bold personality, it combines soft, rounded shapes with vintage charm. Its hallmark features? A relaxed, unstructured silhouette and oversized metal clasps.

Season after season, the Pasticcino Bag returns in countless renditions. With its pillowy volume, joyful patterns, and delicious colours, this “bonbon” of a bag adds a chic twist to every look. Perfect for the wedding season or a relaxed weekend.

A Global Celebration of Craftsmanship

Since Autumn/Winter 2022, the Pasticcino Bag World Tour has highlighted the traditional craftsmanship of various cultures, transforming each limited edition into a heartfelt tribute to local artisans.

• Venice – A Tribute to Textiles and Glass

The Modello Venezia edition paid homage to Venice’s rich history in textiles and Murano glassmaking. It featured sumptuous Fortuny fabrics, still produced on Giudecca Island using Mariano Fortuny’s original machines. On top, the dazzling beads by Gambaro & Tagliapietra, Murano masters since 1974.

• France – Lace and Ceramics with a Noble Past

The Pasticcino Hommage à la France was dressed in exquisite Guipure lace by André Laude, a historic dentellier crafting luxury lace since 1850. The clasp boules were made of Faïence ceramic by Manufacture des Emaux de Longwy 1798, an earthenware atelier honoured as a Living Heritage Company by the French state.

• Japan – Silk and Metal Artistry

For the Treasures of Japan edition, Weekend Max Mara turned to Kyoto’s Kawashima Selkon Textiles, founded in 1843, for intricate silk jacquards. The clasps were handmade by the artisans of Bottega Nakamori-Kumihimo, known for their century-old expertise in crafting cords for traditional Japanese attire.

Andalusia

• Spain – Honouring Leather and Damascene Metalwork

The fourth stop on the tour brings us to Spain, where the Pasticcino Bag Spanish Heritage honours two centuries-old crafts: leather embossing and damascening.

In the video, you’ll see how each bag begins with hand-dyed, embossed leather by Rafael Varo Atalaya, a Cordoban master artisan with over 30 years of experience. The result is tactile, vibrant, and unique.

Embossed Leather by Rafael Varo Atalaya

The bag’s signature clasps are transformed into miniature works of art using damascening. This is a meticulous technique of inlaying gold and silver into engraved steel. This rare tradition, unique to Toledo, is executed by the artisans at Manufacturas Anframa, a historic workshop dedicated to this intricate craft since 1970.

Pasticcino Bag at Manufacturas Anframa

Pasticcino Weekend in Andalusia

To unveil the Spanish edition, Weekend Max Mara hosted a two-day celebration in Andalusia, bringing together leading media, digital creators, and celebrities.

The exclusive weekend included a visit to a traditional workshop, a private night tour of the Alhambra, flamenco lessons, and an unforgettable dinner. The closing event, hosted by Nicola Gerber Maramotti, took place at the Charterhouse Monastery of Granada (Cartuja), a jewel of Andalusian Baroque.

The dress code for the evening? Cocktail attire with a touch of red, a subtle nod to the passion and warmth of Spain.

Why This Matters

The Pasticcino Bag World Tour is more than a fashion storytelling; it’s a tribute to artisanal excellence. By spotlighting traditional techniques and materials from around the globe, Weekend Max Mara invites us to celebrate beauty with heritage, meaning, and soul.

Images Courtesy @Weekend Max Mara