Leather before its debut in the fashion sphere, the story of Izè brand
The creative process behind the brand founded by Guido Carrara and Giuliano Radici began with the calling of leather. Concerned about the disappearance of handcrafted know-how, the two designers have raised to act in support of this artistic and creative heritage. Hoping that others too will become involved in preserving and transmitting traditions.
You work with leather, is that right?
Yes, Tecnopel produces the materials, and Izè is the brand that makes the jewels, the leather is 3D printed. Together with Giuliano Radici we created Ize, since we came from a leather clothing background. The 3D printing gives the leather these natural curvatures of the skin. We also started making leather bracelets, and from there, we said why don't we create our own line and we started making leather jewels that are actually special like this. We have been doing this line for a year and a half. It’s a technique that many have never seen before, especially when it comes to leather jewellery, in the sense that there is the classic cut leather bracelet, but we created all these very particular rounded perforated pieces.
Where are you based?
We are in the province of Brescia on Lake Iseo. And the name Izè means Lake Iseo in our dialect. From here, we founded our brand, we created earrings and necklaces. We are a small company, not an industry. We have a printing technique like this which is done with special machines. We are quite flexible because we are a small artisan company. This year, for example, we have also started producing leather caps for cosmetics.
How is the leather business in Brescia?
Where we are located is known at the button area, it's called The Button Valley We produce leather buttons,then other companies make horn buttons, others in metal, so it's a place really dedicated to buttons. Brescia is highly developed in the industrial sense and very strong so much so that they call it the Lioness of Italy, it'salso the symbol of Brescia and the lion was an engine let's say that most of the companies that were born near Brescia deal with automotive so you know there is a lot of mechanics.
And you’re attracted to handmade pieces and craftsmanship
Yes, we have maintained the craftsmanship so much that our articles are made almost individually one by one by artisans who work here. On our latest collection there were drawings related to molds because behind it there is the discourse of molds market research of chains. We choose everything together for the production molds and how to find the various components to be manufactured.
IZÈ will be exhibiting at HOMI FASHION&JEWELS EXHIBITION
17 - 20 February 2023
A dedication to sustainability, craftsmanship, design and manufacturing with the ultimate accuracy. HOMI FASHION&JEWELS EXHIBITION explores a cultural challenge, is sustainability an utopian fantasy or a possibility?