If you’re looking for something specific to add to your wardrobe, a prize piece that requires skill and craftsmanship to produce, it’s wise to investigate makers that specialise in the item you are looking to acquire. There is great pleasure to be taken from picking things up by chance, of course – say, a spur-of-the-moment purchase made after some idle browsing. But if you wish to make a sound investment in something that will last, having information at your fingertips on expert, experienced brands is worth your time and research.

This is something to consider especially as we move into autumn, when our thoughts turn to the materials and colours that the new season invites. Leather – warm, dark and hard-wearing – is one such example. And there is no better vehicle for its qualities than a new bag, travel holdall or document case. (After all, leather jackets tend to have a seasonal shelf life. And the more caution over leather trousers, the better.)

With that in mind, it seems timely to introduce you (or reintroduce, if you are already a fan), to Serapian. Founded by Mr Stefano Serapian in 1928, Serapian is a leather goods firm boasting almost 100 years of heritage and know-how – which it brings to the articles you see here, a select edit of the 12-piece collection now available to buy on MR PORTER.

With something as difficult to work with as leather, a material that requires careful treatment and an expert hand to manipulate, it’s important to invest in a brand with a good deal of experience in the field. Serapian is less a brand and more a collection of artisans who work together to produce its pieces; pieces that tell a story, that will grow old with you, develop a patina, and last as long as you do – all made using time-honoured techniques.

Such techniques are perhaps best illustrated by Serapian’s unique Mosaico weaving process, its hallmark. The backpack is worthy of particular note. It combines Serapian’s signature luxurious Cachemire leather – a naturally tumbled calfskin, as smooth and soft as your favourite cashmere sweater – with buttery suede. The elegant finish, especially on the rucksack and the tote bag, is down to the use of contrasting shades of leather, what the brand calls “chiaroscuro” – a term that originates from the use of dark and light shades in artwork. The resulting optical effect is especially striking on the larger leather pieces in the collection.

Age-old terminology aside, this particular line is aimed at a modern, busy gentleman, hence pieces such as the sling bag and the travel pouch, as well as the extra-slim briefcase. “A fusion of practical elegance and urban versatility, interlaced with the Maison’s unique crafting excellence, highlights sleek and compact designs with a modern sophistication,” explains the brand.

A work-to-weekend approach defines the hardy and refined Evoluzione travel bag and slim briefcase in bottle-green and navy blue while a lush chocolate brown, inspired by the Serapian archives, characterises the Stepan weekend bags, backpacks and belt bags. Exclusive to the Maison, Stepan is a resin-coated waterproof monogrammed cotton developed by Serapian in the 1970s.

This collection also shows off an updated colour palette as we move into the colder months, featuring those autumnal shades we referenced earlier – think moss green and black with livelier shades of greys, burnt orange, deep red and blue for smaller items including wallets and cardholders. The weekend bag balances sinuous lines with graphic colour-blocking, mixing espresso browns with ruby red or black and forest green.

Depending on your needs and the amount you are prepared to invest, of course, it is worth considering how much time, effort and skill has gone into these bags. You are not simply buying something that looks effortless and stylish. You are investing in a story. Ever since Mr Serapian started making leather goods in Milan in 1928, the brand, which is now headquartered at Villa Mozart in the heart of Milan, ensures that each component of its leather goods are sourced from and, indeed, made in Italy. It’s time to bag something truly special this autumn.