Italia Independent
Founded | 2007 |
---|---|
Founders | Lapo Elkann, Andrea Tessitore, Giovanni Accongiagioco[1] |
Headquarters | Italy |
Products | Eyewear and Sunglasses |
Owner | Italia Independent Group |
Website | www.italiaindependent.com |
Italia Independent is an Italian design company. Created in 2007 by Lapo Elkann, Andrea Tessitore and Giovanni Accongiagioco. The company is entirely owned by the holding Italia Independent Group. The holding debuted in the Italian Stock Exchange in 2013.[2] Italia Independent is most famous for their sunglasses made in carbon fiber.
History
Italia Independent launched on January 9, 2007 during Pitti Uomo.[3] The first project presented was one of the first sunglasses with the frame entirely made in carbon fiber. In 2008 Italia Independent was acquired by a new holding, Italia Independent Group, created to manage new divisions of the company. Italia Independent Group debuted in the stock exchange in 2013.[4] In 2009 opened the brand's first showroom in Milan[5] with sunglasses' and clothing's collections. During the last few years Italia Independent established its presence in Italy and around the world with more openings and debuted in the USA with a new opening in New York in early 2015.[6]
Technology
Italia Independent is the first sunglasses manufacturer to use carbon fiber for fashion purposes[7] and the first to create sunglasses's frame entirely made of carbon. In recent years, they utilized innovative technology such as thermosensitive fiber and microfiber linings,[8] for which the company received an award from MIT Technology Review. The Italian scientific committee of the Italian edition of the magazine, led by Romano Prodi,[9] recognized I-Thermic and UV Lux as cutting-edge treatments for eyewear. The former allows eyewear to change color in high temperatures, while the latter gives glasses frames a velvety look.[10]
Collaborations
Italia Independent collaborated as the design partner in many projects with various brands:
- Alfa Romeo Brera and Spider
- Fiat 500
- Hublot[11]
- Vertu
- Puro[12]
References
- ↑
- ↑ "Lapo, battesimo col botto in Borsa" – corriere.it June 28, 2013
- ↑ Interview with Corriere della Sera – June 6, 2007
- ↑ "Lapo, battesimo col botto in Borsa" – corriere.it June 28, 2013
- ↑ Lapo Elkann opens Independent Ideas in Milan
- ↑ Italy’s Best-Dressed Bachelor Lapo Elkann Opens Up Shop in New York City – Vogue.com – February 12, 2015
- ↑ [http://www.italiaindependent.com/it/[supporto]-contatti.html Carbon fiber]
- ↑ Italia Independent, the first brand to launch thermosensitive sunglasses
- ↑ MIT Technology Review Italia – 25th Anniversary
- ↑ MIT Technology Review Italy Honors Italia Independent
- ↑
- ↑
External links
- Official website (Italian)