My name is Leylani Cardoso, Cuban-native and co-founder of “Duty Free World.” In 2002, I ventured into the world of design, wanting to create the perfect line of “it” handbags for the 21st century woman. Working in retail and fashion for a number of years has allowed my creative side to come out, resulting in my own handbag line – Bolzano. Running the multi-million dollar company, “DFW,” has given me great experience and insight into what today’s women look for in a handbag – everything from fashionable, travel friendly and refined all at once. My designs and collections continue to grow and develop with the modern woman, making a statement about what she stands for and how far she has come.

We use Italian cowhide, lambskin, and custom Bolzano hardware. The leathers are handpicked from the finest tanneries. Our clients deserve only the highest quality materials. This is why with every design we take our time in choosing the leathers and fabrics used. Our target is the transcendent 21st century woman — a woman who is not defined by her age, ethnicity, or culture, but is working, going out with friends, taking care of the kids, and maintaining her image as a naturally attractive woman.

My inspirations come from many different places. I travel a great deal, so I spend a lot of time observing people all over the world. I try to share this experience with others through my designs. With our bags, we strive to achieve not only elegance and sophistication, but also practicality and convenience. We add details like helpful exterior and interior pockets. We also make expandable bottoms on the smaller bags and allow for the bags to conveniently fold for travel. I think what sets Bolzano apart keeping my audience happy and taking into their concerns and considerations into account, while always keeping the designs true to myself.

Being in the retail business for over 10 years I began to see a void in the handbag industry. I looked to create a brand that would cater to the needs of the everyday woman, but would also offer style and sophistication. I was sitting outside in a café in Rome and saw a woman stopped at a street light riding a Vespa who was dressed in a suit and high heels, had her hair and make up completely done and I thought, now that’s style! I work to emulate this attitude –never compromising style and femininity while meeting life’s practical needs. The Bolzano Collection captures this perspective through its varying shapes, styles, colors, and exceptional leathers which allow women to express this attitude in an everyday accessory. I always think of myself when designing and I try to bring a certain level of practicality to the designs. I love to draw and I prefer to sketch all the bags by hand personally before they’re created

Our bags are timeless; we design items that are versatile enough to go through every season. Customers have commented that bags they purchased years ago will still turn heads when they wear them.  So far we have been pretty lucky that there have not been any nightmares in the development of our line. We have a pretty good handle on how to juggle challenges as they come up and that’s the overall mindset of our team. We simply do whatever it takes.  The greatest achievement has been getting feedback from our customers and seeing them wear the bags. Customers feel the bags have been designed with them in mind, and others that communicate “how many looks and compliments” they receive really make it all worthwhile. To create something you enjoy and witness others discover it is truly inspiring.