Weekend Max Mara's Latest Pasticcino Bags Are An Homage To Japan

So kawaii.

Published: July 25, 2024

Weekend Max Mara’s Pasticcino Bags Are An Homage To Japan — The “Pasticcino Bag Treasures of Japan” campaign is fronted by Japanese fashion icons and twin music duo AMIAYA.

“Believe in craftsmanship, live a little slower, appreciate beauty and enjoy fashion,” chirps Nicola Gerber Maramotti, consumer channel director of Max Mara. She’s speaking to me under an outdoor pavilion at the Fufu Hotel in Kyoto, where the cool spring air and soft gurgle of a tranquil man-made waterfall conspire to lull us both into a blissfully zen and reflective mood.

During our relaxed conversation, Maramotti talks about the origins of Weekend Max Mara, launched as an offshoot of the main Max Mara collection to offer sophisticated, relaxed pieces and casual outdoor wear for women with a spirit for adventure and wanderlust. I ask her what her hope is for fans of the brand. Reiterating the brand’s mantra, she wishes for everyone to shop more consciously, but more importantly, to enjoy the process of discovery: “Discovery is fascinating. It keeps you alive. It keeps your life colourful.”

And so she brings me on a journey of discovery of the Pasticcino bag. This trip to Kyoto was organised by Weekend Max Mara to introduce the “Treasures of Japan” edition of the Pasticcino World Tour bag collection, which showcases the craftsmanship of some of Kyoto’s most respected artisans. The Pasticcino Bag was introduced in 2016, taking its name from the Italian word for “small pastry”. An apt moniker indeed, as the Pasticcino perfectly balances its sweet nature with a statement-making presence. Its plush volume, oversized clasp, and infinite variety, makes a delectable treat for the eyes and is an instant mood lifter for even the most sombre wardrobe.

Kicking off with the fall/winter 2022 collection, the Pasticcino Bag embarked on a remarkable global odyssey—putting the spotlight on the unique cultural heritage and exceptional craftsmen of each chosen destination. According to Maramotti, the idea to start a bag world tour was pandemic-related. “We were all sitting around the table thinking about travelling again. And it was like, where do we go next? What do we do?” she reveals. “The artisans were out of work; everything was at a standstill. So why not celebrate travel and support artisans using our most iconic product?”

The first pitstop on the world tour was in Venice in 2022, where the “Pasticcino Bag Modello Venezia” edition paid homage to the city’s glorious history in textiles and glass-making. Sumptuous Fortuny fabrics made on the island of Giudecca, using Mariano Fortuny’s original machines that date back to 1922, were used for the bag, while colourful glass beads from Murano glass artists Gambaro & Tagliapietra added a touch of Venetian flair.

A year later, the “Pasticcino Bag Hommage à la France” edition landed in Paris. Master Dentellier André Laude, a renowned purveyor of Guipure lace, contributed his exquisite handcrafted lace. The bag’s signature boules clasp were fashioned from faïence, a ceramic material produced by Manufacture des Emaux de Longwy 1798, which bears the prestigious label of ‘Living Heritage Company’, awarded in recognition of its traditional know-how.

“We love the idea of a world tour, where we showcase the true meaning of slow fashion, and give a voice to artisans. Our regular Pasticcino bags are very special to us, but the world tour series is extra meaningful because there’s a completely different art to making them. It takes a long time to create one piece,” adds Maramotti. For this third leg of its world tour, all eyes are on Kyoto where the “Pasticcino Bag Treasures of Japan” takes inspiration from the ancient city’s rich tapestry of textiles and art of kimono-making.

Weekend Max Mara collaborated with Kyoto-based fabric manufacturer Kawashima Selkon Textiles to make the bags out of silk jacquard fabrics culled from Kawashima’s historical archives. The boule clasps are meticulously woven by artisans from Bottega Nakamori-Kumihimo, known for producing obijime and haori cords, accessories used in traditional Japanese dress.

Available in six variants and two sizes, each bag is a work of art, numbered for exclusivity. Delicate pastels, matte gold, rust and caramel come together in unique patterns that each tell a story: A soft pink floral pattern whispers of fresh beginnings and new life; flowers and birds dance across the fabric in beautiful swirls; an imperial-inspired motif, echoing a design from 1905, infuses a touch of grandeur; and a bouquet of peonies, roses and buttercups marries delicate beauty with opulence.

I ask Maramotti where the Pasticcino World Tour will head next, but she demurs, and coyly replies: “Follow us on social media to find out!”

Photos courtesy of Weekend Max Mara.