Sannino has his workshop and another sales outlet in via A. de Gaspari, a stone’s throw from St. Peter’s. Down in the basement he keeps bundles of hides that he sources from Santa Croce sull’Arno in Tuscany, Italy’s foremost center for leather tanning.

Among the fuchsia pinks, the turquoises, mauves and greens are printed leathers originally produced for famous griffes. Sannino snatches up these remainders whenever he can find them, knowing that in time they will inspire him to create something new and original.

“I started out in my early twenties, following a sort of hippie whim. I didn’t have any proper training, so I’ve made plenty of mistakes on the way. But I also think this lack of expertise gave me a particular freedom. To this day I start cutting and sewing, and the form seems to come of its own accord. Once I’ve got the theme right, I can produce all the colorful variations.”

Like the other designers who have chosen Rome for their creative enterprise, Sannino is little interested in fashion as such. Too frantic, too ephemeral, and nowadays too global. Instead he produces unconventional classics, with tangible enjoyment. And that’s part of the pleasure for the customer.