Renowned for its exquisitely crafted leather goods and timeless elegance, Valextra has firmly established itself in the luxury fashion world. Rooted in Milanese design, the brand blends urban craft with sophisticated aesthetics and its commitment to quality is evident in every piece. Embracing a sustainable ethos, Valextra ensures that luxury and environmental consciousness go hand in hand. In this exclusive feature, we delve into Valextra’s rich history, its dedication to superior craftsmanship, and the innovative steps it takes towards a more sustainable future.
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For those less familiar with Valextra, can you give us a little background on the origin and history of the brand?
Valextra was founded in 1937 by Giovanni Fontana, an engineer by trade and an artisan at heart. After travelling around Europe, he returned to Milan in the 1930s and started to observe the way people were interacting with their handbags and luggage, finding that ergonomics and style were, in fact, mutually exclusive. He set about creating leather goods from the finest cuts of leather that embodied the principles of urban craft, engineering beauty, and designed fluidity – concepts that Valextra continues to explore to this day. It wasn’t long before he started collaborating with the most prominent designers and architects of the time, most notably AG Fronzoni with whom the Iconic Forma Zero briefcase was conceived and created in 1962.
What is at the heart of your brand ethos?
Valextra is innately linked with the world of design and the city of Milan. The melting pot of creativity that occurs when they are brought together forms the foundations of Valextra’s approach to engineering exquisite leather goods that have a timely urban spirit. Valextra sits at the intersection of the two, celebrating sobriety and splendour in a forever effortless and distinguished way embodying quiet luxury.
What does luxury mean to Valextra?
Valextra is a sum of many parts, and our definition of luxury encompasses our processes and finessed product. From the sourcing of our leathers and materials and the handcraft behind each of our leather goods to the way that they enhance the everyday experience of the hands that hold them, the feeling of owning a Valextra object is intangible yet palpable. It is discreet, discerning, and quietly confident, embodying utilitarian design that informs the identity of Valextra’s internal culture and creations. This is our definition of luxury.
For Valextra, how do the worlds of luxury and sustainability collide?
At Valextra, luxury and sustainability co-exist rather than collide. Throughout the entire life cycle of Valextra’s leather goods, materials, processes, and people are treated with respect, so that the final product embodies this. We can confidently reassure our clients and customers that when they invest in Valextra’s leather goods they are doing so with the confidence that its production has been scrutinised and its provenance is guaranteed and this knowledge is the most important luxury.
Whilst undergoing Butterfly Mark Certification, you improved your ESG+ score by a very impressive 300%. Could you tell us about the work you have been doing behind the scenes to progress Valextra’s sustainability journey?
It is indeed a very important milestone. This success relies on several factors, of course, but if we were to highlight just one, it would be the commitment of the teams, starting with that of the artisan. The trustworthy partnership developed with Positive Luxury has allowed us to build a sustainability journey together, a journey that is a constant evolution of learning and implementation that we are committed to maintaining.
Are there any improvements you have made to your business throughout Butterfly Mark certification that you are particularly proud of?
There are many improvements that we are particularly proud of, such as the progress on the certifications of the materials used in our products and the apprenticeship program launched to ensure the sustainability of the craftsmanship within Valextra, a source of quality products and thus durability. It is of the utmost importance to Valextra that we not only preserve the timed-honed skills of our artisans, but also provide tangible support and encouragement to future generations wishing to pursue a career in the field and remain active in this area.
What’s next for Valextra?
Of course, we’re pleased with the milestones we’ve reached, but we’re always looking ahead. Innovation is embedded in Valextra’s DNA, and our latest market launches are prime examples of this. Take the Onda bag, crafted with 3D printing technology and biodegradable materials, or our Nylon capsule collection, Assoluto, which utilises ECONYL® yarn. These initiatives prove that innovation, luxury, and sustainability are not just compatible, but indeed sources of inspiration and creativity and we are committed to this pursuit.
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