Accessories Designer Alvaro Gonzalez Revives Rodo, an Italian Sleeping Beauty

LONDON — Alvaro Gonzalez, the accessories designer behind many an ‘It’ bag by the likes of Valentino, Jimmy Choo, Loewe and most recently Roksanda — is reveling in his love of handbags and Italian craftsmanship with his latest project: He’s bringing the Italian label Rodo back to life as its new creative director. Already a collector of vintage Rodo bags and a longtime admirer of the manufacturing capabilities of the Rodo factory — which is family-owned and also produces components for Chanel handbags — Gonzalez saw an opportunity to revive the excitement around the brand’s signature styles and satisfy the modern luxury consumer’s appetite for new, niche accessories labels. The brand is primarily known for mixing natural materials such as wicker and leather in elegant, structured shapes that remain relevant to today and in tune with current trends. “When the Rodo team came to my studio in Florence and asked me if I knew about the brand, I just told them to follow me. I opened the door to my archive and showed them a shelf that was filled with Rodo bags from floor to ceiling,” said Gonzalez. “They have a sensational archive, it’s a real treasure. So what I’m doing is not redesigning but

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