Cover Story
Harrolds x Il Papiro celebrate a Florentine collaboration for your Christmas gift wrapping
Let your gifting be driven by artistry, passion and desire.
5 Minute Read
Holiday ‘22 at Harrolds is a celebration of art and craftsmanship. This Christmas, we’re celebrating the art of gifting, personalisation, near and far artisans, home and beauty, and of course, luxury.
A new partnership with Il Papiro Firenze will be the core of our seasonal storytelling — a hand-crafted print using a technique passed through generations of Florentine artisans. Inspired by the façade of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, colours include shades of rich greens, vibrant reds and summery pinks.
Escape with Harrolds to 1970’s Florence
Escape with Harrolds to 1970’s Florence and reminisce of holidays past and present, eating biscotti and sipping espresso. This is the transportive effect of beautiful artistry, especially on the final touchpoints of your gifting selections.
Today, we speak with the woman at the helm of Il Papiro in Melbourne, Romina Beltrame, on the makings of our special holiday packaging. Thanks to Romina’s creative expertise, Harrolds is proud to unveil ‘The Art of Gifting’. We’ll be wrapping your chosen garments, accessories, home adornments and jewels in this one-of-a-kind, limited-edition wrapping. As Romina would say, Buon Natale!
We hear you forged Il Papiro in the 90s and have since run a longstanding boutique with your team on Degraves Street, Melbourne. Where did Il Papiro originate from, and how did you bring its artisanal hallmarks to Australia?
Il Papiro was inspired by a study trip in Florence in 1996. That year the beauty and magnificence of Florence got under my skin, and in 2002 I decided to do something about it.
What I loved about the stores in Florence was that they were specialists in nature, ensuring quality and tradition were prioritised. There was the glove shop, the shirt shop, the paper shop — I could go on! After a successful meeting in Florence with Il Papiro Italy, I returned to Melbourne to find the perfect location for this boutique paper store. In my pursuit to be as authentic as possible, Degraves Street stood out as the perfect location. This laneway encompassed everything we love about Europe, and in December 2002 we opened our doors to Melbourne.
How has Degraves Street transformed in the time you’ve held that brick-and-mortar store?
Although Degraves Street has always been s a thoroughfare for people commuting from Flinders Street Station to Collins Street (in true European style, we’ve noticed its retail offering has been enriched by other boutique stores since opening Il Papiro. This complements the array of cafes and restaurants that make Degraves Street famous. This strip is an integral part of Melbourne’s culture, being the beginning of the laneway precinct enjoyed by Melburnians and visitors alike.
There’s something to say for the inimitable magic of real-life strip shopping. Harrolds firmly believes the tangible in-store experience is unparalleled, especially at Christmas time. What are some of your favourite Melbourne dining, shopping and unwinding spots to visit in the city this holiday season?
We love and pride ourselves on the transportative nature of our in-store shopping experience. In fact. our customers regularly comment that they feel like they are in Florence, Venice or Rome! I seek out that personal touch when it comes to my own dining and shopping. I love Saluministi for a bite on the run, Trattoria Emilia and Di Stasio Citta. I always start with a cheeky negroni at the bar and Grossi Florentino’s for those special occasions. I love supporting independently-owned businesses when it comes to gift giving. The Block Arcade and Flinders Lane are always a delight.
How often have you visited Florence — the birthplace of Il Papiro — since moving to Melbourne? And what do you gain from trips abroad in terms of creativity?
I have lost count how many times I have visited Florence — it’s more than I can count on both hands, for sure! I have just returned, and every time I come back renewed. Il Papiro in Italy is like family. We share stories, laughs and food! It’s an opportunity to reconnect with the artisans, to see what’s new on the drawing board and to share ideas and concepts for upcoming projects. It also acts as a reminder that we are part of something greater, and that we represent generations of artisans that pass on their craft. In a fast-paced world of mass produced, that is really special. We are proud to represent ‘fatto a mano’ in its truest form.
Harrolds is thrilled to unveil its limited-edition Christmas gift wrapping in collaboration with Il Papiro for the 2022 festive season. Can you talk our readers through the inspiration behind the holiday print?
We couldn’t be happier to collaborate with Harrolds for this Christmas 2022. It’s two longstanding, quintessentially Melbourne businesses working together at a time when the Melbourne CBD is going through its own renaissance after Covid. The colours chosen for the Harrolds’ signature design are inspired by the marble in Santa Maria del Fiore — The Cathedral in Florence.
How was the festive design actually made? What was the process like, and how long did it take you to nail the concept?
The Harrolds Christmas design is a custom version of paper marbling, a method from the 17th century used to decorate paper for the purpose of bookbinding. It’s a process that involves throwing oil-based paints onto a water-based solution. Custom combs are then used to mix the colours and form various patterns. A sheet of paper is laid over the pattern and then carefully removed while scraping away the excess solution. It’s an absolute ‘wow moment’ when the paper is lifted, as it is only then that you understand the true result of your work. It is left to dry, and the process is repeated for the second and then subsequent sheets. The beauty is that no two sheets can ever be the same, making them all as unique as we are.
Why do you think artful finishing touches are important when it comes to gifting for Christmas, or any occasion?
Behind the gift, there is the thought, and this is best expressed in the details. The perfect paper, the matching ribbon, the personal note, the wax seal. These all come together to amplify the gift and demonstrate to your loved ones how much they mean to you.
Lastly, what would be on your hypothetical Harrolds Christmas wishlist this year?
Anything selected as part of the Harrolds collection would be an absolute treat. At the top of my Harrolds Christmas list this year is Bottega Veneta’s Padded Cassette bag. I love that Bottega Veneta have taken their traditional signature leather weave and put a contemporary spin on it.
It's a process that involves throwing oil-based paints onto a water-based solution
How was the festive design actually made? What was the process like, and how long did it take you to nail the concept?
The Harrolds Christmas design is a custom version of paper marbling, a method from the 17th century used to decorate paper for the purpose of bookbinding. It’s a process that involves throwing oil-based paints onto a water-based solution. Custom combs are then used to mix the colours and form various patterns. A sheet of paper is laid over the pattern and then carefully removed while scraping away the excess solution. It’s an absolute ‘wow moment’ when the paper is lifted, as it is only then that you understand the true result of your work. It is left to dry, and the process is repeated for the second and then subsequent sheets. The beauty is that no two sheets can ever be the same, making them all as unique as we are.
Why do you think artful finishing touches are important when it comes to gifting for Christmas, or any occasion?
Behind the gift, there is the thought, and this is best expressed in the details. The perfect paper, the Harrolds signature ribbon and the personal note. These all come together to amplify the gift and demonstrate to your loved ones how much they mean to you.
Lastly, what would be on your hypothetical Harrolds Christmas wishlist this year?
Anything selected as part of the Harrolds collection would be an absolute treat. At the top of my Harrolds Christmas list this year is Bottega Veneta’s Padded Cassette bag. I love that Bottega Veneta have taken their traditional signature leather weave and put a contemporary spin on it.
