Serge Amoruso, high-end leather goods at heart

October 2024 37 avenue Daumesnil, Paris 12

The Parisian master craftsman, whose unique pieces are appreciated by a discerning clientele worldwide, designs and manufactures bags, briefcases, wallets, belts, cigar humidors, and other objects from his workshop-shop at the Viaduc des arts.

Sublimating leather

Having been here for about ten years, Serge Amoruso has dedicated over 45 years of his life to working with leather. He fell into this passion at a very young age, which led him to join a specialised school at the age of 15 and then to enter the prestigious house of Hermès, where he honed his skills in the Malle workshop for seven years.

« My father was a cabinetmaker-sculptor, and I grew up appreciating the beauty of craftsmanship and tools, » says Serge Amoruso. This sensitivity was heightened by frequent trips to Rome and Puglia in southern Italy, where the Amoruso family has roots. « I remember walking around and being struck by all this beauty surrounding me. I believe it was all these little things that encouraged me to make these life choices, » he continues.

From an early age, Serge Amoruso focused all his attention on leather. « One of my brothers worked in publishing, and he brought home leather samples for making bindings. That’s when I discovered that this material was limitless for me. »

Exceptional pieces

Calfskin, kid, crocodile, elephant, and even, on occasion, hippopotamus... Serge Amoruso works with a wide variety of hides, all with guaranteed traceability and in compliance with the Washington Convention.

« Sometimes, I find myself circling around a hide for weeks, touching it, just taking the time for inspiration to arrive. It’s only once I am sure of what I visualise for it that I dive in, » he explains.

His work with galuchat is particularly remarkable, as he is the first to have mastered the hand-stitching technique with this exceptional ray leather. Playing with materials, the Parisian leatherworker also enjoys stepping outside the conventional by incorporating unusual elements into his creations, such as mammoth ivory, Tahitian pearls, and even pieces of meteorite.

His goal: to create sustainable, unique, and bespoke objects, each telling its own story. In his workshop-shop, where he works with two assistants, Serge Amoruso perpetuates the tradition and love of well-crafted work to achieve this. Here, there are no machines - or only a few sewing machines for specific tasks, such as stitching bag linings, for example.

« We are very attached to ensuring that each of our creations is a unique piece. And this also involves not using machines for cutting, preparing, assembling, and sewing. By carrying out all these steps by hand, the gesture is always different. Unique, » says Serge Amoruso.

French high craftsmanship

Over the years, Serge Amoruso has built a solid reputation in the world of craftsmanship and high-end leather goods. So much so that he was awarded the prestigious title of Master Craftsman in 2010. His expertise is recognised worldwide, particularly in Japan, which is home to most of his clientele, as well as in the United States.

« I am very attached to Made in France, and even though I have loved Japan since I was very young and visit several times a year, I remain linked to Paris, » confides the artisan.

This French origin resonates with the international clients of the leatherworker. « They are also impressed by the location of the workshop-shop, at the Viaduc des arts, » adds Serge Amoruso. « It must be said that with its stone, its arch, and its display window, it’s the perfect place. »

Serge Amoruso
37 avenue Daumesnil, Paris 12
instagram.com/serge_amoruso/
© Photo : Nicolas Scordia

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