Montegrappa: Italian Finesse At Its Best
From its quaint origins in Italy to ruling the world of luxury, Montegrappa has grown its portfolio and its presence
Luxury is a fine taste that one develops over a period of time. And Italy is known to be home to some of the leading luxury brands that the world has known. Motegrappa is also one of them. Today, the brand is known for its impressive collection of writing instruments, eyewear, handbags, and a lot more. More recently, Montegrappa also grabbed headlines when it launched the limited edition fountain pen as a tribute to the first manned space mission of the United Arab Emirates.
But there is a lot more to the name. Motegrappa’s tryst with luxury dates back to the year 1912. Back then, eyewear, handbags and many other items that we recognize as a style statement today were not so popular on the fashion landscape. So what was it that Motegrappa offered to woo the fashion lovers back then? Well, it was writing instruments. The famous brand forayed into the world of luxury with fountain pens. In fact, it was the first one, to pave the way for luxury in the world of writing instruments.
The humble origins
Montegrappa, started operating in Bassano del Grappa, a small city in Veneto. Back then it was known as Elmo & Montegrappa S.p.A. It started with the introduction of fine art-crafted fountain pens that went on to become one of its signature offerings. Montegrappa was founded under the slogan ‘Manifattura pennini d'oro e penne stilografiche’. This translates to ‘Maker of gold nibs and fountain pens’. Such is the nostalgia associated to the origin of the brand that its products are still manufactured in the original factory on the river Brenta, in Bassano del Grappa—near Vicenza, in the North-East of Italy. Since then, Montegrappa has grown considerably with an impressive global presence.
During the first World War, Bassano was a centre of military operations. Among the many soldiers who used the company's pens for their correspondence were two celebrated 20th-century writers, Ernest Hemingway and John Dos Passos, who had both volunteered for service as ambulance drivers.
In the 1930s, fountain pens became the new favorite, people were falling in love with its sleek design and style statement. Montegrappa’s exceptional craft and exhaustive range of options in the fountain pen segment had managed to reach the House of Bassano as well. With its soaring popularity, the brand went on to register many firsts to its credits. For instance, it was the first to use celluloid and Galalith to make the fountain pens. The operation of their technical solutions, and the originality and precision of their manufacturing techniques, aided in Montegrappa’s popularity reaching new heights with each passing year.
Montegrappa range
Apart from fountain pens, Montegrappa launched products too which included watches, cufflinks, pockets of leather, fragrances, eyewear, and accessories. Montegrappa makes Regular Edition; Limited Edition; and Special Edition Pens. Pens come in three forms; rollerball; ballpoint or fountain. In addition to these forms, Montegrappa makes pens out of various precious materials; silver and gold continue to be the most commonly used material.
The eyewear connect
Montegrappa forayed into the domain of eyewear, quite some time ago. Inspired by the finesse and precision of its writing instruments, Montegrappa has honoured the legacy in its eyewear collections. Designs inspired by the passion to deliver the finest of art and the best of technology as well as precision, their eyewear models top the favourites list of many fashion lovers.
Here is a look at some of the oh-so-gorgeous designs.
MG9011
Simple yet exquisite, this design stands above the rest for its sheer sleek appearance. The model is distinguished by its choice of materials, this limited edition eyewear is an ideal choice for those who idolize innovation in eyewear. There are some fantastic colour options available for this model.
MG9010
Inspired by the classic aviator design, this model is a beautiful blend of art and engineering at its finest. Aviator-shaped glasses have been part of our culture since the 1930s, initially developed for American pilots to protect their eyes while flying, the frame gradually became one of the most ubiquitous fashion accessories in the world, instantly recognisable and never out of fashion. They look great on men and women alike and can be worn with a business suit or casual wear.
MG9002
Montegrappa revisits the classic design for sunglasses with this tastefully done modern version. There are interesting colour options, ideal to woo the young and tech-savvy customer. The sleek design is beautifully complemented with the subtle yet sophisticated logo embellishment. In simple terms, it is a classy style statement.
MG8001
The simple eyewear gets a sophisticated lift with this design. The model is sleek, colours are impressive and the Montegrappa legacy is beautifully captured in this design. Clearly, this eyewear is an excellent choice for those who want to make a style statement with their eyewear.
MG8002
The nerdy eyewear look gets a makeover with the classy gold embellishments on the side. The gold tinge is just enough to leave an impression. Apart from the standard variations, this model also has a dual colour option that is sure to steal hearts.
MG8010
Another interesting option for those who want to make a fashion statement with their eyewear, this model makes heads turn with its classy gold and black combination. The slender design makes this eyewear an excellent choice for those who want to sport the serious / professional look.
For more than a century, Montegrappa has remained a family company nested in Italian Dolomites. The closely-knit unit is what has helped the brand preserve its legacy and stand true to its passion to create magic blending art with technology. Montegrappa continues to enjoy a loyal fan following among those who want to pause time and savour every bit of luxury. In the years to come, this popularity can only grow.
