Heatwaves are nothing new to Italy. It is only 2 years ago in 2015 that temperatures hit 39c and even over 40c in many cities. Nicknamed Caronte who in Greek mythology rowed across the flaming rivers in the underworld. However, this has been surpassed by a heatwave named Lucifer as it is considered as hot as hell. Lucifer is effecting not only Italy but also Spain, Hungary, Croatia, Greece and Southern Europe and eleven countries have issued danger warnings for the young and the elderly with residents and tourists being told to stay inside as some cities such as Rome, Naples and Florence expected to rise over 50c. Plus there is a real risk of wildfires in the dried out countryside.

Many of our leather suppliers are from central and southern Italy, particularly Tuscany as this is the centre of luxury leather tanning and production. Pratesi, Paolo Masi, Pellevera, Toscanella and further south, Carbotti in Martina Franca, ceased factory production in August when temperatures this high would make it nigh on impossible to work. The extreme temperatures and intense heat would effect the processes that involves gluing and also causes the leather to overstretch effecting the quality of stitching and the resulting end piece. Although this is inconvenient it is practical that they close when Italy is at it's hottest. It may seem unusual to us in the UK but we have never experienced temperatures anywhere near this, the hottest being 38.5c in August 2003.

The only good thing about Lucifer is that wine harvest in Italy, Spain and France has begun early. In the Franciacorta region, Lombardy, Italy, an area that produce a delicious Italian sparkling, champagne method wine, harvesting has begun over 2 weeks earlier than normal as the vines have ripened much earlier than normal