THE BRAND
Wearing and protecting notorious hands such as those of Vittorio De Sica, Eduardo De Filippo, Nino Taranto just to mention few, creating real chef-d’oeuvres as proof of un ancient art craft that after four generations still carries on, Mario Portolano creates handmade fine gloves, a recognizable brand of that renowned experience, taste and talented manufacture typical of the legendary Neapolitan hand craft tradition. Creativity, quality, art and design melt together to create one of a kind glove in respect of the Made in Italy fashion diktat. Each glove that makes the difference in matter of elegance, as a personal and sensual accessorize, is the result of a long transformation process, made by expert master handicraftsmen of decennial experience. The choice of the most precious leather, the extreme care for details plus its sophisticated style make Mario Portolano’s gloves unique and exquisite. The production process of tech pair of gloves requires at least twenty different steps and each step, entirely handmade, requires great care and dedication. After more than four working hours the result is absolutely stunning: none of those gloves is similar to another one not even in the twos that match the pair! A solid know-how for this company that after one-hundred years is still able to make particular models, produced by one single artisan from the very beginning till the end starting from a peculiar selection of leather for each pair of gloves. In fact there isn’t any production line, rather 15 different craftsmen with their singular skills to create a product extraordinary exclusive and inimitable. The production has an its own brand creating a top line production according to the stylist and haute couture maison designs and prêt-à-porter fashion trends, starting its concept from the treatment and dyeing of leather till the final manufactured glove. The handmade quality is strictly coupled with the primary materials and the originality of design. A very high benchmark for a juxtaposition response to those markets of globalization, Mario Portolano’s gloves are entirely produced by hand and exclusively Made in Italy. Shortly a smart leader accessorizes collection will come out. Mario Portolano’s gloves are distributed in the best Italian and international shops - Concept Stores in Japan or Department Stores in USA, Canada and the rest of Europe - and corners like Excelsior in Milan or Coin Excelsior in Rome. Next opening corners will be in London, Paris and New York. Mario Portolano is also an on-line e-commerce brand. The Company also cooperate with several theatre costume departments for the production and performances.
MARIO PORTOLANO
It was 1895 Grandpa Fortunato, opened the leather gloves factory in Naples, founding the Company Brand. His eldest son Alberto, an open mind man focused on new enterprises, enlarged the factory starting up the treatment of tannery and dyeing of leather and opening then some stores in Rome and Naples where thousands of tourists that come for sightseeing like still happens today, went to buy those gloves. Afterwards Mario carried on with same passion, and thrill of his father, following his steeps trough his solid will and determination. After four generations Mario Portolano company is still a “family business”, producing extremely fine quality gloves, delivering a tradition of elegance that is repeated over time.
THREE BROTHERS GLOVE MARKERS “MADE IN ITALY”
Since 1980 the brothers Mara, Stefano and Lucio Portolano represent the fourth leading generation that continues the story of the brand of gloves. Entering at the head of the company during the era of “Made in Italy”, wen foreign customers begin to appreciate the taste, design and processing of Italian products. Over the years, however, the market changed and very fast. The big Italian manufacturing companies are relocating production to countries where labor costs are lower. But stoically Mario Portolano company decides to keep production in Italy, looking for new material for each season, more and more refined design: not an easy task as the work remained in the tradition of the past. Many have been the collaboration with designers who every year draw new lines, in step with international fashion trends.