PHOTO COURTESY OF LORO PIANA
For over a century, Loro Piana has been synonymous with exquisite fabrics, from rare vicuña wool to impossibly soft baby cashmere. But more recently, the Italian brand expanded that same devotion to textiles into the realm of leather goods. Its latest expression arrives this fall-winter 2025 with the Bale Softy.
The new style reimagines the iconic Bale silhouette, but boasts a softer, more supple feel. True to its name, it draws inspiration from bales of cashmere, those bundles of precious raw fibre that begin the journey into fabric and clothing. The result is a bag that feels instinctively luxurious, yet effortlessly understated.
The Bale Softy is handcrafted from materials that mimic the feel of cashmere. Think lambskin nappa with a natural semi-gloss finish, as well as deerskin prized for its smooth grain. The sensorial touch is certainly extraordinary. Light, fluid and buttery soft, it captures the same emotional response you get when handling the brand’s iconic textiles.
To ensure consistent texture, colour and density, artisans sculpt a single piece of leather into the bucket shape and seamlessly connected handles. A clever leather slider, a nod to the cords for wrapping cashmere bales, transform it into a longer shoulder strap. Every detail reflects artisanal precision, including the jewellery-inspired internal toggle closure, tonal leather lining and double-layer base.
Piqued your interest? Loro Piana’s Bale Softy comes in micro (12.5 cm by 17 cm by 15 cm) and small (16.5 cm by 31 cm by 18 cm) sizes, with the latter accompanied by a leather pouch. With shades like Black, Burnt Tan, Crimson, Dove, Ribbon Green and Sunday Morning to choose from, the challenge is real.
