BEHIND THE BRAND
CHRISTOPHER BOSCA

So much of today’s culture seems to be about style—even beyond the world of fashion. What I find interesting is that, most of the time, style is talked about as some sort of conscious choice we make for ourselves. As if we wake up one morning, review the options, and simply pick a “style.” The problem I have with this is that it takes life and our own personal histories out of the equation. Rather than simply a style, I think of Bosca as a lifestyle.

Growing up, life revolved around leather. I spent most Saturday mornings at the factory with my father, watching him as he worked and playing with whatever scraps I could find—and with whatever machines I wouldn’t get yelled at for touching. As I got older, I started making my own original pieces, continuing to work at the factory during college in stitching, cutting, and even industrial engineering (work study!). I was able to travel to Italy, Spain, Uruguay, and Argentina, learning about my family, culture, and, ultimately, leather.

Travel remains an essential element of Bosca to this day. It does more than foster creativity and new design: it synthesizes our experiences and emphasizes our place as world citizens. Without the wealth and history of other cultures, our lives—our styles—become stale. This past spring, I traveled with my 12-year old son to Argentina to develop a relationship with a tanner. Like me—and like his entire family—he has a love for all things Italian. It’s wonderful to now see the glint of Argentina in his eyes as well.

Lately, I have been reading old Giuliano Bugialli cookbooks, and it’s as if I’m traveling again—but now back in time. Both my parents were great cooks, and these books guided our family dinners for years. Reading them today, I’m bombarded by the surprising combination of era-influenced culture: the pure Italian, the pure ‘70s, and everything in between. I don’t know where this is going to lead me or our designs, but I’m eager to find out.

When asked how he developed his style, guitarist and singer-songwriter J.J. Cale said he had no idea—it was the only way he knew how to play. I like to talk about our brand as combining an Italian aesthetic with an American function. But the truth is, we make Bosca—and it’s the only “style” we know how to make.

It always strikes me just how much the industry has changed over the years, and how my role in the company has evolved as well—from materials, to manufacturing, finance, design, sales, and business development. It’s been a great life, and, as we approach our 100th anniversary, I look forward to making the Bosca lifestyle available to everyone who wants a little Life.Luxury.Leather.