attico

The Attico was founded in 2016 by Gilda Ambrosio and Giorgia Tordini, two Italian fashion bloggers and influencers based in Milan. The childhood friends were inspired to launch their own brand while attending fashion weeks and events, noticing a gap in the market for playful, sensual clothing with an Italian glamour aesthetic. The name 'The Attico' means 'the penthouse' in Italian, representing their vision of womanhood - strong, successful, and living life at the top.

The Attico's handbags quickly became signature items for the brand. Their first collection focused onstructured top-handle bags with intricate embellishments like tassels, feathers, and bold hardware. The bags exuded retro glamour but with an irreverent twist, like clear PVC bags covered in gold chainlink and padlocks. Over time, The Attico expanded into soft, unstructured silhouettes with a 1960s and 1970s aesthetic - think hobo bags, half-moon shoulder bags, and minimal totes.

Innovation with materials and textiles is central to The Attico's design philosophy. They favor luxe fabrics like velvet, satin, and leather paired with decorative touches like bows, crystals, and tassel fringe. The Attico was one of the first brands to popularize feathers and pearls as handbag embellishments. Their bags also feature unique hardware like customized padlocks, chains, and oversized buckles. These opulent materials create a maximalist, ornate aesthetic that contrasts with the bag silhouettes.

The Attico produces its handbags at Italian workshops and factories that specialize in leathergoods and accessories construction. They source high-quality leathers from venerable Italian tanneries that utilize traditional techniques to achieve supple, durable leathers. The handbag hardware is custom-made by Italian artisans, ensuring precision and uniqueness. While small in scale, The Attico maintains exacting standards in its manufacturing processes.

Since its founding, The Attico has experienced tremendous growth, expanding from a niche Italian brand to a global label sold at over 150 stockists. The brand made its international retail debut in 2018 with stores in New York and London, followed by Paris, Seoul, and Dubai. The Attico is now stocked at luxury retailers like Net-a-Porter, Moda Operandi, and Saks Fifth Avenue. Its global outreach has been boosted by celebrity fans and influencers like Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner, and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.

The Attico has several handbag styles that have become synonymous with the brand, like the Leather Shoulder Bag with its half-moon silhouette and tassel closure. The Lucite clutch with neon embellishments is another signature style, reinterpreted each season in new colors and hardware. The Attico's first hit bag was the Aurora Top Handle - a structured, ladylike shape accented with a large customized padlock. These iconic styles maintain the core glamour and retro spirit of the brand.

Numerous celebrities have been spotted carrying The Attico's statement bags, driving the brand's popularity. Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner, and other supermodels have worn The Attico bags to fashion weeks and events. The brand has also been embraced by fashion influencers who gravitate towards its Instagrammable, ornate designs. The Attico smartly leverages these endorsements, gifting bags to tastemakers to expand awareness.

The Attico is known for its creative collaborations with iconic luxury brands. They partnered with Miu Miu in 2018 on a capsule line featuring co-branded bags. And in 2019, The Attico collaborated with Valentino to bring Pierpaolo Piccioli’s vibrant designs onto a series of bags, shoes, and accessories.

Occupying the contemporary luxury space, The Attico sits between high fashion and accessible brands, offering the quality and design of the former at lower price points. Their bags retail from around $500 to $2000, undercutting premier designer prices while still signaling luxury. The Attico ultimately aims to bring a touch of Italian glamour to the everyday woman rather than solely high-end clientele.

The Attico competes with brands like Cult Gaia, Danse Lente and By Far that also offer statement bags with artisanal detailing at luxury price points. However, The Attico distinguishes itself through its retro yet playful Italian glamour aesthetic. The co-founders' influencer background also gives The Attico an edge in digital marketing and social media buzz.

Sustainability is a growing focus for The Attico. They utilize small workshops in Italy with transparent, ethical practices. The brand has partnered with Eco-Age to audit their supply chain and identify areas for improvement. They also plan to incorporate more recycled and upcycled materials into their handbag collections moving forward.

The Attico made its mark by bringing a bold, maximalist aesthetic back into fashion. Their heavily embellished, ornate bags sparked a revival of luxury details like feathers, fringe, crystals, and decadent hardware. The brand also popularized clear handbags covered in chains and locks. Their vintage-inspired styles paved the way for a broader return to retro glamour and opulence in accessories.

From the start, The Attico has leveraged digital channels and influencer marketing to drive success. Their e-commerce site and social media sell their collections worldwide. The founders also partner with style influencers to showcase their bags on Instagram, expanding their reach. This online-first strategy connects with tech-savvy luxury consumers.

The Attico has cultivated a devoted customer base drawn to the brand's eccentric Italian glamour and exclusivity. Consumers perceive The Attico as bringing a fashion-forward edge to luxury handbags. The bold, ornate styles appeal to those wanting to make a statement. Fans praise the quality craftsmanship and view the bags as heirloom pieces, passing them between generations.

In response to growing environmental concerns, The Attico aims to incorporate more sustainable practices. They are phasing out exotic leathers and have pledged to achieve a fully circular production model by 2030. The brand also plans to implement renewable energy in their workshops and offset their carbon emissions. These steps reinforce The Attico's responsible position in the luxury space.