Porto, since 1971
Sellora began as the counter in front of a saddler's bench. Fifty-five years on, the bench still cuts our leather, and the counter has grown into a shop that dresses the whole suitcase.
In order
1971
A saddler opens a workshop outside Porto and sells belts and bridles from a counter in town. The counter needs a name; somebody suggests the thing everyone kept bringing in to be mended.
1989
The workshop takes the name Solenne Atelier and starts making bags under it. The shop keeps Sellora, and for the first time stocks a label it did not make — a Porto knitter's cashmere, sold next to the leather.
Today
Four labels on one rail — clothes, shoes and leather chosen so they travel together. The bench is still upstairs, and still takes back anything it made.
Fifty-five years on, the bench still cuts our leather, and the counter has grown into a shop that dresses the whole suitcase.
On the rail
Our own bench. Vegetable-tanned bags, belts and small leather, cut and stitched outside Porto — and repaired there, for as long as the hide lasts.
Womenswear in linen, silk and cashmere — wrap dresses, relaxed blouses and knitwear cut to be worn for years rather than a season.
Menswear and outerwear — organic tees, Oxford shirts, chinos that survive a bicycle, and a waxed field jacket that only improves with rain.
Shoes from a family maker in the Marche — court sneakers, suede Chelsea boots and a hand-sewn penny loafer, all resoleable.
Repairs, for life
Anything from the Solenne bench can come home: seams re-stitched, edges re-painted, hardware and zips replaced. Inside the twenty-five-year guarantee it costs nothing; after that we quote before we start.