Since its birth in 2016, the Pasticcino dessert bag has been loved for its retro elegance and playful style. 2022, the brand has embarked on a fashion journey around the world, traveling to Venice, France, and Japan, drawing on the essence of local cultures and traditional craftsmanship, and using a variety of materials, such as Murano glass, French lace, and Japanese brocade, to interpret the bag’s unique charm and pay homage to the world’s craftsmanship. The bag is a tribute to the artisanal craftsmanship around the world.
For Fall/Winter 2025/2026, the Pasticcino dessert bag journey begins again, with a destination in Spain, the land of leather craftsmanship, and the fourth chapter of the collection: the “Spanish Heritage Edition” Pasticcino dessert bag. This season’s collection is crafted from embossed leather and decorated with a unique pattern created by Cuero Ghademés, the workshop of leather artist Rafael Varo Atalaya. Varo has been working in the field of leather design and finishing for more than thirty years, specializing in the fusion of Cordoba’s traditions with modern creativity.
The new bag is made from the finest leather, which has been buffed to give it a warm and delicate feel. The original Valo Atalaya motif is then embossed on hand-carved wooden molds, using a custom technique derived from centuries of Cordoba craftsmanship. Each bag is hand painted and swabbed, giving each Pasticcino dessert bag a unique detail and warmth. The color palette of the new collection is rustic and sophisticated, ranging from rich coffee brown, khaki, olive, deep Cordoba blue, warm leather brown and black.
The iconic beaded clasp of the Pasticcino dessert bag is transformed into a decorative element with a new interpretation of the time-honored damask marquetry. This is a particularly complex process, which requires the craftsman to meticulously inlay gold and silver into sculpted steel. Each clasp is polished and engraved to reveal the beauty of the black and gold textures. Once set, the gold clasps are then subjected to two gold decorative processes to create a distinctive layering effect with different shades of gold. Finally, all clasps are coated with lacquer to protect their luster for years to come. These exquisite clasps are a testament to the ancient craftsmanship of the Anframa workshop.
Located in Toledo, Spain, the Anframa workshop has been known for its exquisite metalwork since 1970. Over time, Anframa has become a world-renowned maker of fine damask marquetry, prized for its intricate beauty, and balancing tradition and modernity, with a particular focus on the craftsmanship of the artisans who bring a unique handmade beauty to their work. In this way, the ancient traditions of Toledo, Spain, have become an orthodox art prized by craft enthusiasts.
In addition to the beaded clasp, the lining of the Pasticcino Dessert Bag Spanish Heritage Edition is decorated with abstract floral, geometric or hand-painted stallion prints, and features a red dust bag that pays homage to the classic color imagery of Spanish culture.
To celebrate the launch of the Spanish chapter, Weekend Max Mara hosted a two-day event in Granada on May 29-30, focusing on the culture and craftsmanship of the “Spanish Heritage Edition” bag. Granada is known worldwide for its architectural heritage of Gothic, Renaissance and Moorish styles, the magnificent Sierra Nevada mountains and the Alhambra, a UNESCO certified cultural treasure.
During the event, Weekend Max Mara invited global media representatives, self-published creators and celebrity guests to join in the festivities. The itinerary included visits to traditional workshops, flamenco classes, and an exclusive night tour of the Alhambra Palace to fully immerse themselves in Spain’s unique artistic atmosphere.
On the evening of May 30th, Ms. Nicola Gerber Maramotti hosted a private dinner at the Charterhouse Monastery in Catuga to conclude the cultural tour. This masterpiece of Andalusian Baroque architecture, a blend of Gothic and Renaissance elements, is also home to a collection of heirloom works by Spanish artist Juan Sánchez Cotán. The gala dinner was attended by many celebrity guests, including Chinese host Wu Xin, Japanese actress Alisa Urahama, Spanish actress Nicole Wallace, Italian actress Valentina Romani, American actresses Victoria Justice and Madison Grace Reed, French fashion blogger Julie Sergent Ferreri, Hazel Choi, Rain Spencer and other celebrities from home and abroad witnessed this milestone moment in the brand’s fusion of art and craftsmanship.
The new Pasticcino dessert bag is more than just an accessory, it’s a collector’s item of craftsmanship and culture that reflects Weekend Max Mara’s dedication to artisanal craftsmanship and timelessness.
Launched in 1983, the Weekend Max Mara collection, which began as casual outdoor wear and has since become a classic interpretation of Italian lifestyle with a distinctive personality, balances fashion and tradition with a wide range of ready-to-wear and accessories. A selection of sophisticated and contemporary collections, combining casual and formal styles with a touch of elegance for a wide range of occasions, are designed for the open-minded, spontaneous, fashion-forward, intellectual woman. As part of the brand’s ongoing development, each season Weekend Max Mara invites a celebrated creator to personalize (either by tailoring or by contributing ideas) the brand’s essence, presenting seasonal garments in a variety of styles and creating an ever-growing selection of the brand’s best collections. The Weekend Max Mara collection is currently available in approximately 250 boutiques and mall counters worldwide.