Max Mara Weekend celebrates Spanish heritage in Granada with new Pasticcino bag collection

Max Mara Weekend unveiled the fourth chapter of its worldwide Pasticcino Bag tour, making a stop in the heart of Andalusia — Granada. A city with a millennia-old history of artisanal craftsmanship, Granada provided the perfect backdrop for launching the Spanish Heritage Collection, dedicated to the art of leather and the ancient technique of damascening, reports WWD.

The name Pasticcino, meaning “pastry” in Italian, perfectly captures the essence of this iconic bag, first introduced in 2016 and quickly becoming a brand symbol thanks to its rounded shape, velvety materials, and spherical clasps.

From Córdoba to Toledo: An Ode to Spanish Craftsmanship

For the Fall 2025 collection, Max Mara partnered with outstanding Spanish artisans. The leather bags are handcrafted by Rafael Varo Atalaya, a master with over 30 years of experience and founder of Cueros Ghadamés — a workshop renowned for its expert leatherwork. Each bag is made from premium leather, softly tanned and embossed using wooden molds bearing signature patterns.

The color palette includes deep coffee brown, olive, khaki, Córdoba cobalt blue, warm cuoio (rusty tan), and classic black. Inside, contrasting linings feature floral, graphic, or painterly horse motifs. The set is completed with a red dust bag — a vibrant nod to Spanish passion and energy.

Jewelry-Like Craftsmanship in the Details

The iconic spherical clasps are crafted by Manufacturas Anframa, a Toledo-based workshop specializing in damascening since 1970. The spheres undergo a complex cycle of silver and gold inlaying, including layering of precious metal shades and final lacquering — all done by hand with jeweler-level precision.

Granada as a Stage

The collection launch was celebrated with a two-day event attended by actresses Nicole Wallace and Valentina Romani. Guests visited a traditional leather workshop, enjoyed a private tour of the Alhambra, and took part in a flamenco lesson — fully immersing themselves in the culture that inspired the collection.

The new collection’s bags are priced at $1,240 and will be available ahead of the Fall 2025 season.