Last Friday a new retail premises opened on Keen Street - Paul Meccanico, an Italian designer bag shop owned by Mayumi (of Mayumi’s Kitchen/ Zen Sushi, Lismore Square).

A captivating bright yellow space, filled with pops of colour from its beautiful products, Paul Meccanico offers Lismore a taste of high fashion, showcasing an extensive range of Italian designer creations.

Each bag is limited edition, with several pieces being one-offs - the only piece of their kind available in the world. Each bag is handcrafted in Italy and comes with a certificate of authenticity. The bags are highly functional as well as beautiful, with durable, weather-proof exteriors and clever designs that make them easy to wear.

Mayumi came across the product when holidaying in Italy (her husband is Italian), and was instantly captivated by both the product and the conceptual side of the business.

Sarnano in Italy (northeast of Rome near the Adriatic Sea) was historically a place of high-quality traditional leather work. However, as society shifted away from animal products, the artisans of the area began to struggle to make a living from their trade. Paul Albert Dari, designer, saw the potential to adapt these traditional skills and Paul Meccanico was birthed, using the skills of the local people to create a new product from cruelty-free materials in Paul’s designs and prints.

Mayumis passion for the product shines as she speaks about it. “People ask me, ‘Why Lismore??’” Mayumi says. “Why not! I have a national reach with the website, and I am also developing a website to retail in Japan. But I need somewhere for my stock in transition, so why not showcase it here in Lismore where I live. Let people see the product, how beautiful it actually is.”

Mayumi spoke about Paul Albert Dari’s last art exhibition where he displayed visual artworks alongside corresponding bags of his design, with a fashion show running alongside. She describes the bags as being high-quality emerging designer goods, but not yet priced at an established designer level. She has had people come in and buy seven items at once with the intention of shelving them for collector resale, as many believe they will be worth a lot in the future.

“This is the second (Paul Meccanino) shop in the world. The first one is of course their own shop in Sarnano.”

With Christmas fast approaching, Mayumi hopes people will consider gifting their loved ones something truly unique, and is offering gift vouchers so people can come in and find something that fits their personality perfectly. But she also encourages people to come in for the sheer joy of simply browsing, regardless of their intention to purchase a bag. 

“People need to see something beautiful. They are welcome to just come and look - I see it like a museum.”

Paul Meccanico is at 133 Keen Street, next to Best & Less.