Long known for its portfolio of artisan labels, Richemont has entered the industrial design market. Its recent introduction, Via Arno, brings the same attention to detail and craftsmanship seen in its other offerings, such as Van Cleef & Arpels, Alaïa, and Jaeger-LeCoultre, to the homewares sector.
“We wanted to provide independent artisans and makers with a way to distribute their work,” says CEO Annia Spiliopoulos, a jewelry and entertainment industry veteran who cofounded the label with Hanneli Rupert, the current vice executive chair at the Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity & Craftsmanship. The two met after Spiliopoulos joined the foundation’s executive committee to help shape its future vision. “Makers of everyday items often have trouble commercializing and branding their work, so we hope to be a good conduit for that.”
In October, at the 2024 edition of Homo Faber, Venice’s annual celebration of handmade work curated by the Michelangelo Foundation, Via Arno launched the namesake Via Arno Salon to present its artisan goods and services, ranging from homewares to sports equipment from more than 100 independent creators. We caught up with them to ask a few questions about this new venture and its long-term implications for the brand.
Richemont is known for its dealings in luxury jewelry and watches. Why enter the design market now?
“It all comes down to craftsmanship, which is very much in the group’s DNA. I think there’s a sense of responsibility to look at the skills needed to make these quality, long-lasting pieces and support those crafts… Many professionals [wonder] whether there will be a seminal shift or transformation in their industry because of technology. In that case, why not think about a new era of human making? Why don’t young people consider carpentry or glass-making a relevant or compelling profession? We hope that we can bring more value to craft.”
What services will Via Arno offer?
“We have a corporate channel—say, if you’re a hotel, hospitality, or retail group and want to work with our brands, we can facilitate that. We have options for private clients who are looking to invest in craft, whether that’s through something that’s already made or working directly with an artisan to create a custom commission. There will also be a trade channel for property developers, architects, or interior designers… We will also be offering services such as engraving, embroidery, and mending.”
And products?
“Via Arno is very much about offering a lifestyle; it’s not just home-focused. Obviously, home goods and decor are a big part of it… But we will also have sports equipment—handmade tennis rackets, skis, and golf clubs. Games such as chess and backgammon sets. Handmade duvets and some specialty clothing like outdoor climbing jackets or hiking boots. The focus is mostly on human-made goods from independent designers who have worked for 10 years on their craft and are creating functional pieces that range from a wooden spoon in the tens of dollars to a handmade boat. I hope we keep finding new makers as the years go on and that more generations of people will want to become artisans.”
Why is it important to return to this idea of slow-making or studied craftsmanship?
“I think it’s an opportunity. There’s a different sense of story in handcrafted items. People are interested in provenance and how that can bring them closer to people or nature, where most artisans get their materials from… All the energy that goes into those materials, which are usually local and good quality, is passed on through the items to someone who is using them every single day. That human making puts beauty and meaning into the end product… It might take three months to get an order, but it’s a more mindful way of consuming and purchasing and making.”
