Morabito

MORABITO, is one of the best French Luxury Brands.

Founded in 1905, in Nice, by Jean-Baptiste Morabito.

Morabito has been specializing in Handmade Leathergoods made by its skillful Artisans, inheriting the traditional methods for over a century. Atelier of Morabito is still in the heart of Paris. The spirit of the founder, who started his carrier as a jewel artisan, is infused in the premium quality material, as each bag is handmade to excellence while retaining a Jewel-like Elegance. The genuine quality and the novel design have continued to captivate Royal families and VIPs world over.

Philosophy and Heritage

“Luxury is not exceptional, it is the exceptional which is luxurious.” Jean-Baptiste Morabito often repeated. An inventive esthete, he took pleasure in working the most beautiful materials to create objects in his image. Today, Morabito that still proudly bears its founder’s name returns to its original spirit in the leathergoods collection which exudes both chic and elegance.

Craftsmanship

The inventive jeweler’s spirit - Morabito’s original trade - and the company’s know-how, allow the house to combine originality with elegant tradition. An irreproachable quality is assured since each piece is made by hand. In the atelier, Morabito’s craftsmen impeccably adapt their technique to contemporary materials and designs. They thus maintain the excellent know-how of techniques such as hand-sewing which built the company’s reputation and they give particular attention so that each piece approaches perfection - even in the smallest details.

History

1880s

1885, November 28th, Jean-Baptiste Morabito was born in Naples. He was only 20 when he opened a jewelry atelier and boutique in Nice in 1905. In his atelier, he fashioned pieces in tortoiseshell, coral and mother-of-pearl, accenting them with gold and silver. His boutique quickly became a favorite with the European aristocracy and international high society who vacationed on the Côte d’Azur. A myth was born.

1910s

During the Belle Epoque, Jean-Baptiste Morabito started making evening bags by requests of ladies for parties in the Côte d’Azur. Elegant silk evening clutches were embroidered with beads and gold. Tortoiseshell clasps inset with precious stones made each bag a jewel in itself. Material selection was strict, using only the highest quality materials: tortoises from Central America, crocodiles from Java and the Nile …

1920s

In 1921, Jean-Baptiste Morabito opened a small boutique and atelier on the rue Saint Honoré in Paris. By then, his mastery of tortoiseshell had given him an international reputation. To complete his assortment of boxes, bottles and brushes, he began making trunks and baggage. His atelier produced luxuriously embroidered toiletry cases and luggage. They were often in precious leathers and materials such as exotic leathers especially crocodile, that rapidly became one of the Morabito’s specialties.

1930s

Morabito’s Parisian success allowed the company to expand and make a presence for itself in this new trade. It quickly earned a reputation for its handbags, using exotic leathers such as ostrich and crocodile.

1940s

After World War II, Morabito’s N°7 perfume, accompanied by a rice powder, became the “essential complement to a woman’s outfit.” An exceptional Lalique bottle in the form of four crystal tortoises became the company’s symbol. During that period, Morabito innovated the first bags with shoulder straps. Young women took to them immediately: they had finally become “liberated.”

1950s

In 1951, Jean-Baptiste Morabito opened his boutique at 1 Place Vendome in Paris, on the corner of the rue Saint Honoré. In this boutique, he received Tout-Paris, Royal families, the international jet set, crowned heads of state and leather goods aficionados, since Morabito had now developed this craft into an art. The company finds inspiration in many sources. In 1958, when Marilyn Monroe wanted a vanity case for traveling, Morabito created a classic: the Orsay bag.

1960s

In 1961, the Traviata bag and Verdi bag were dedicated to Maria Callas. Kings and heads of state ordered crocodile trunks or shark desk sets and chose the most beautiful jewelry.

1970s

In 1971, Madame Pompidou offered a Vendôme bag and Princess bag to the Japanese Empress during an official visit.

1990s

In 1996, Morabito opened the boutique on the Avenue Georges V in Paris.

2000s

In 2007, after having spent the 1990s on Avenue Georges V, Morabito decided to open a boutique once again on the rue Saint Honoré in Paris, a few meters from the original location of Jean-Baptiste Morabito’s first boutique.

In 2010, November 28th, ceremony of the 125th anniversary of Jean-Baptiste Morabito's birthday.

The atelier, today still at the heart of Paris, proudly continues developing genuinely elegant and sophisticated handmade collections for worldwide clients.

Signature Model

The Vendôme

The Vendome nobly evokes Morabito’s prestigious store location for over half a century. A delicate evening bag with a timeless silhouette, it was offered by Madame Pompidou to the Japanese Empress.

The Orsay

When Marilyn Monroe was looking for a model to use as a vanity travel case, Morabito invented the Orsay, a glamorous bag that goes everywhere.

The Traviata

The Traviata is the homage to Maria Callas’ elegance and distinction: a classic bag which can also be carried in a relaxed, easy manner.

Solferino

The style of Jean-Baptiste Morabito, a dandy whose simple elegance was seen in his choice of materials, is witnessed in the Solferino line. The beautiful touch of this soft leather piece is complemented by a supple lamb lining and perfect, completely handmade finishing.

Special Order

Morabito is always making full special order bags and leather goods by the artisans in their atelier in Paris upon request of clients.

External links

• MORABITO Official Website