All in the Family with The Candiani’s
So much of denim’s roots run deep through generations of makers, who pass down the craft to maintain the company’s history and heritage, that we decided to start a summer series called “All in the Family,” just to highlight their heritage and what they bring to the industry.
First up: Alberto Candiani, son of Gianluigi Candiani, and fourth generation heir to the Italian denim mill’s throne. Candiani started out in a tiny town called Robecchetto near Milan in 1938, when Alberto’s great grandfather set up several looms to weave workwear and sell it in local markets.
Since then—and with 78 years of experience under its indigo belt loops—Candiani has reached the ranks as one of the world’s finest denim mills, and each generation of Candianis has done its part to preserve the premium, innovative and sustainable denim the brand is now known for.
It’s all in the family, really. Here’s a look at what being born into a life of denim really looks like.
Carved in Blue: What was your very first impression of the denim business?
Alberto: Well, being literally born in a denim mill, my impression was that textile business was something and denim something else, especially in Italy
where we specialize in silk, wool and high-end material. The idea has always been to make Candiani Denim as “premium” as these other fabrics with special aesthetics, compositions, performances.
Carved in Blue: When did you realize you were a blueblood?
Alberto: I was 14 years old when my dad took me to my first denim show, in Cologne. I felt something about it and I developed my interest towards this blue fabric, which has always surrounded me. In reality I have only appreciated the beauty of it when I started to create my own denim developments together with my dad and Mr. Asutoni, our general manager, who has thought me so much about fabric engineering. R&D is the most fun part of our job, indeed.
Carved in Blue: Did you always want to join the family’s denim business?
Alberto: Well my dad has supported me getting into this business big time. I had no other choice really, at least according to him. Thank God I love what we do and I always knew denim was going to take over my life even though I had been quite a rebel in my teenage years. I still find a little time to dedicate to my other big passion, which is music.
Carved in Blue: What about your son—do you want him to follow in your footsteps?
Alberto: Not necessary. He will pick whatever he wants to do, but he will want to join, he is going to be more than welcome and will probably make grandpa happy!
Carved in Blue: Speaking of his grandpa, your dad, what’s the best advice he ever gave you?
Alberto: Not to compromise yourself and your company. If you really believe in one direction, stick to it and make sure people understand what you are doing.
Carved in Blue: What do you think the future holds for the denim industry?
Alberto: It’s tough. This is not an easy business to be run in a country like Italy due to costs reasons, but we never thought to leave Robecchetto. The territory represents our roots and expertise. We just want to make a better and better denim, which means nicer and cleaner. There is still so much to accomplish on the sustainable side and this is the future: tangible sustainable innovation and revolutionary technological application into denim.
Carved in Blue: What does Carved in Blue mean to you?
Alberto: Carved in Blue represents an interesting denim hub, which helps the whole industry to communicate about denim.