Annapurna

Italian manufacturer of knitwear in cashmere, cashmere-silk and fine natural fibers. The firm was established in Prato, Tuscany, in 1978 by Aida Barni, after the birth of her fourth child from her marriage to Pierluigi Galli, one of the world’s leading experts on spun yarns. One half of the production is exported to Germany, Austria and Switzerland, countries in which the company is the market leader. The rest is sold in Italy, France, Japan and the U.S. The brand name recalls the mountains of Kashmir and the peak of Annapurna, more than 26,000 feet and climbed for the first time by a Japanese team composed only by women. The brand is famous also for Cashmere, an invaluable book published for the first time in 1986 and reissued in 1997, one of whose authors is Pierluigi Galli. Printed also in French, English and Japanese, the book is an international reference work for technical schools, trade buyers and consumers. The brand’s success is due to its fine manufacturing techniques and expert finishing. The Annapurna and Aida Barni Collections are offered each season at the company’s Milan showroom at via della Spiga, 46. The philosophy of the firm is based on the work of skilled craftsmen, an attention to detail, and the use of exclusive colors (in recent seasons these included midnight blue, tourmaline, slate green, dry moss). There is a lasting commitment to customer service, and to clothes that suit Italian taste and are highly fashionable.
Aida Barni received the La Città delle Donne (City of Women) award and was given the keys to the city of Prato. The president of the Republic of Italy, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, named her a Cavaliere del Lavoro.
Annapurna presented its Collection at the third annual Fashion China, an exhibit of clothing and accessories held in Shanghai. The 2002 exhibit was organized by the Italian firm Ingedo, by the China National Garment Association and by Ccpit Tex.
New showrooms were opened in Düsseldorf, Stuttgart and New York.