Italy’s Masters of Leather
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Franzi’s passion for the art of leather making has been at the heart of the brand’s activity since the very beginning.
Originally carpenters, the Franzi family first dedicates themselves to the creation of trunks made entirely of wood. Around the mid-19th century, the creative genius of Rocco Franzi leads to the conception of the “Leggerissimo” (“Ultralight”) — a trunk with a wooden structure but covered in leather or canvas.
The “Leggerissimo” trunk marks Franzi’s early success and the evolution of the family business from carpentry to leather goods.
The Franzi family founds in Milan in the second half of the 19th century the first Italian district of luxury leather goods, known as the “Milanese School”.
Recognizing the higher quality of manufacturing of their transalpine competitors and aspiring to reach the same level of mastery, the Franzi family brings the best French and Austrian craftsmen to Italy and introduces the most modern tanning techniques, learned in Germany.
Franzi’s brilliant intuition is to merge the tradition of Italian leather craftsmanship, known for the robustness and durability of its creations, with the refined techniques developed by foreign brands in the latter half of the 19th century.
Thus, in the second half of the 19th century, the Franzi family founds in Milan the first Italian district of luxury leather goods, also known as the “Milanese School”.
Oreste Franzi, Felice’s son, later introduces additional innovations that not only further develop the brand but also contribute to the advancement of the entire industry.
Thanks to his many travels and stays in China, Japan and Singapore, he acquires new techniques for trunk building and leather tanning.
This knowledge enables Oreste to open, in 1912, the first European factory entirely dedicated to vegetable tanning: the Conceria Monzese.
A pioneer and visionary, Oreste Franzi demonstrates a concern for sustainability already at the beginning of the 20th century, aiming to replace chemical tanning with new, less polluting techniques.
Franzi is responsible for training entire generations of artisans.
Among the family’s most notable pupils is Guccio Gucci, founder of the iconic eponymous brand.
It is Gucci himself who, in 1921, opens his first store
in Florence and promotes his business through an affiche that read: “Guccio Gucci, già
impiegato nella valigeria Franzi” (“Previous employee of Valigeria Franzi”).
The unique qualities of Franzi leathers and their versatility make them suitable for applications in a wide range of fields, particularly in the naval and automotive sectors.
The leathers produced by Conceria Monzese are used to furnish the interiors of trains and transatlantic liners of the time, including the Raffaello and the Michelangelo.
During the decade between 1960 and 1970, with the rise of industrial automotive design, Franzi leathers see their field of application expanded.
Well-known names such as Pininfarina and Bertone use the brand’s leathers to upholster the interiors of iconic Maserati and Ferrari models.
Among the sectors that most appreciate the qualities of Franzi leathers, the furniture and design industries stand out.
Prestigious design studios such as De Padova in Milan use them to craft armchairs, sofas and other furnishing objects.
The birth of
Cuoio Franzi
Within the laboratories of Conceria Monzese, “Cuoio Franzi” is conceived. It becomes the brand’s emblematic material, recognizable by its iconic organic texture.
Even today, Franzi’s artisans preserve the finest leather-working techniques.
These guarantee the perfection of every creation, proudly and passionately carrying forward the Italian leather-making tradition.
Craftsmanship
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