Albiate 1830: What 200 Years of Denim Making Looks Like
Few denim mills can say they’ve been around since the 1800s, but Albiate 1830 can—and that long history has given the denim world a lot to be thankful for.
What started in 1830 as a company, then called Manifattura di Albiate, founded by Giuseppe Caprotti distributing yarns to weaving mills in Italy’s countryside, has evolved into a well-established mill making first-rate fabrics for shirting and denim.
The company, now owned by the Albini Group, is known for its denim above all else, with offerings ranging from single yarns to two-for-one to different hues of indigo and mélange yarns, and its creations are sold in more than 80 countries.
“Albiate 1830 has re-interpreted denim into every sort of style, from classic to sporty to fashion, and has combined their understanding of shirting fabrics with the typical characteristics of indigo yarn,” the company notes on its website. “The result is a proposal for plain and fancy which in terms of quality, structure and designs is globally unique.”
Carved in Blue caught up with the Albiate Team, which says it was “born dressed in denim,” to find out what makes this long-standing mill tick. Here’s what Andrea Di Gaetano, Director, and the Albiate Team have to say:
Carved in Blue: So what does more than 200 years of business look like?
Albiate: Everything started, as our own brand name suggests, in 1830, when Giuseppe Caprotti opened “Manifattura di Albiate” to distribute yarns. But this really was just the beginning. In a few years the company grew larger and, at the end of the 19th century, it became a leader on the market, preserving to the present day the pioneering and excellence-oriented approach that have marked out its spirit. In 2000 the Albini Group has bought the company, integrating it along with Albini (founded in 1876) and Thomas Mason (founded in 1796). Each brand in the Albini Group has its own specific identity, rooted in a long history of creativity, innovation and profound textile knowledge. The very first examples of denim by Albiate date back to the 19th century, evidence of the deep specialization of the company in the production of this iconic fabric, a tradition now enhanced thanks to the expertise brought by Albini.
Carved in Blue: What are the key products in the Albiate collection?
Albiate: During each season we offer a wide range of concepts coming in more than 1,000 versions and organized in three main lines: Denim, which reveals each and every shade of the indigo world; Sport, casual and contemporary; and Jacquard, versatile and full of unexpected aesthetic solutions.
Carved in Blue: What value is Made in Italy to today’s consumer?
Albiate: Made in Italy still is a paramount value for consumers from all over the world. It is synonymous with premium-ness, experienced and accurate craftsmanship and first-class raw materials. At Albiate 1830 we take care of these values, knowing that we have to safeguard and spread the Italian touch globally.
Carved in Blue: Apart from the Italian touch, Albiate 1830 also incorporates TENCEL® branded lyocell fibers in the collection—why did you decide to use it?
Albiate: The softness and the versatility of TENCEL® fibers are the two main reasons that have led us to introducing them in our collection. We use also Micro TENCEL® fibers because its lightness is really suitable for our fabrics.
Carved in Blue: The company has undergone some new branding lately—can you tell us about it?
Albiate: We felt the need for a restyling in order to let the logo reflect the main values that are essential to express the brand’s spirit: our fresh but experienced approach to international fashion along with the combination between casual wear and attention to details typical of the best craftsmanship. The new logo is minimalist but memorable, a result of strong aesthetic simplification able to reveal the essence of the brand, perfectly in tune with its always trendy proposals and with the impalpable lightness of its stylish fabrics. The new logo goes now with the payoff ‘Italian textile explorers,’ the right expression to disclose the Albiate 1830’s fashion formula, characterized by a solid positioning on innovation and attractive evolution of the sector.
Carved in Blue: So what is your favorite denim brand?
Albiate: We always love all the brands that are deeply characterized by an innovative and future-oriented attitude.
Carved in Blue: What is your favorite city to visit?
Albiate: New York, preferably the Williamsburg area (borough of Brooklyn), the contemporary cradle of trends and innovation.
Carved in Blue: What did you think of the recent Kingpins and Denim Days in Amsterdam?
Albiate: We had the chance to participate in Kingpins twice and every event was absolutely important and effective in terms of visibility and inspiration, a great occasion to jump into the blue along with true denim lovers, all interested in exploring the most innovative solutions of the market.
Carved in Blue: What does Carved in Blue mean to you?
Albiate: It is always stimulating to be part of a virtual place for discussion and cross-fertilization between companies, a clear and crucial signal of an open-minded and inquisitive approach towards the fashion world.