Artisan Encounters27 November 2021

Athison: Unique Weaved Products with Italian Style

The Italian leather goods world leader in the art of weaving.

Athison is a young brand created from a centenary of experience. It may seem strange but in fact, in Italy, these things happen. Many of the artisan businesses of the past, are today in the hands of children and grandchildren, new generations who proudly preserve the family experience. In Villadossola, in Piedmont, a premises of 8000 metres has been accommodating the Polli family company for some years: its name is Manifattura di Domodossola because it was established there in 1913. A real industry, a thousand machines and 75 people who produce unique items: this also happens in Italy.

Let me introduce Giulia Polli who, together with Silvia, represents the fourth generation of the family. The same family has “held the reigns” of the great Manifattura di Domodossola for over a hundred years.

What happened after the two world wars? Why did the company decide to specialise in weaving?What was the demand like at that time?

Let's take a step back. During the period of the world wars, our company, the Manifattura di Domodossola, was already specialised in weaving yarns but with different functions: they produced ship ropes, cables or cotton laces for shoes, also supplying the army . Around the 1970s, my father had the idea of also introducing other materials to be woven such as polyester for example, which made laces that were indestructible and never broke. The other idea was to produce other items: in those years the first men's belt with woven leather and viscose rayon was produced. Today we weave many materials: linen, wool, cork, copper, etc.
We realised that that the weaving technique could be very convenient and beautiful but above all unique, for the production of accessories for men and women and for dogs!
Athison Leather Weekender Athison Leather Weekender

Athison

Athison Leather Weekender

2.200€ (TaxFree: 1.803€)
Out of Stock
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Athison, like Oxilla, was established under female leadership. Why? What did you believe in compared to those who preceded you?

Yes, these two brands were created when me and my sister Silvia arrived in the company. We thought it was time to finally take possession of our attribute and thus the art of weaving. Today we have 8000 square metres of machines and we are very strong in production. It was a spontaneous decision to invest in something that was only ours, entirely produced by our hands and in our company.

Today Athison produces accessories of the highest quality, mainly characterised by threads that intertwine to form unique weaves and patterns. Who buys these items?

Regarding rucksacks and bags, men and women who are looking for true quality at the time of purchase, who are looking for something unique and don't want to identify with a famous brand, on the contrary they look beyond the brand. Those who recognise the value of Made in Italy, its raw materials and its production processes. For example, we only use natural leather that is naturally tanned. Although we Italians produce all this, it is the people who live abroad who are more attentive to quality and detail.
Our bags are unique pieces, timeless models that do not follow trends. They are not cheap due to the very long production times: the weaves are not simple and we have learned to assemble the bags "in-house" to have greater quality control and be more precise.
Briefcase Athison in Pelle Briefcase Athison in Pelle

Athison

Briefcase Athison in Pelle

1.779€ (TaxFree: 1.458€)
Out of Stock
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Briefcase Athison in Pelle Briefcase Athison in Pelle

Athison

Briefcase Athison in Pelle

1.779€ (TaxFree: 1.458€)
Out of Stock
BUY NOW

What are the processes that you carry out by hand in the production stages of a bag?

The weaves are done by machines (built over the years for us, according to our needs); materials and fabrics are cut with the laser cutting machine, while the bag is assembled entirely by hand.

What is the environmental impact of Athison production?

It seems that it is now a trend to talk about corporate eco-sustainability. We were already aware of it twenty years ago. We have always used natural products and water-based dyes without toxic substances. We have a certain responsibility towards the 75 people who work with us.
We make wax finishing with potato starch, an ancient and all natural process that does not cause allergic reactions for the final consumer. As regards tanning: the animal's skin has scars, lines and wrinkles that with chemical tanning you can completely hide, as if they were defects. We, however, follow another school of thought. Our tanning reveals these signs and furthermore the leather is heterogeneous, with more or less absorbent areas, so the colour looks different. For us, these are not defects, they are positive qualities.
Athison Gray/Black Leather Bag Athison Gray/Black Leather Bag

Athison

Athison Gray/Black Leather Bag

950€ (TaxFree: 778€)
Out of Stock
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The Domodossola factory, established shortly before the two wars, specialises in the art of weaving, a process useful for supplying ships and armies with cables and ropes. Immediately after, understanding the value and unique aspect of this technique, the Polli family began to imagine the various and new uses that weaving could have and thus the idea to produce belts, rucksacks, bags, dog leashes, etc. Accessories different from what had been seen up to that point, not only from an aesthetic point of view but also from a functional point of view: more comfortable and flexible belts or stronger bags, made from weaving leather and copper, for example.

Today Athison is a special brand like the weaves that characterise each item made. Cotton, wool, viscose and leather yarns, copper and cork threads that create sturdy, durable fabrics with an unmistakable style. Timeless accessories that do not follow trends but only Italian good taste. Those who choose an Athison bag do not buy the brand but the quality: Athison is destined to arrive in the hands of those who recognise the value of an art, that of the weaving that has taken the company to the top. High quality raw materials and natural processes that respect the environment and people, those involved in production processes and those who buy and wear the accessories. Within the huge Factory, the industrial innovation of looms and a young female leadership are intertwined with the history and natural tanning methods, already used by the Egyptians, for dyeing leather using vegetable tannins. The result is a refined Made In Italy accessory that combines Italian savoir faire with modern style.

Shop Athison Woven Belts

Noemi Rizzo
Noemi Rizzo
Author

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