Beguelin

Henry Beguelin was a swiss designer of accessories, including bags, belts and shoes. His discovery of leather, the material which would be part of his entire creative output, was due to a meeting with a master saddler in Locarno. In 1970 he opened a shop-workshop in Marina di Campo, a small village on the island of Elba. From here, his bags, shoes and belts arrived on the American market, thanks to his collaboration with Barneys in New York. In the mid 1990s the company was purchased by Tullio Marani, who also started the distribution of interior furnishings. In the U.S. he is distributed by Barneys. In 1999 he opened a second shop in Vigevano where his new Collection, Henry Cuir, is produced.
With the split between the two partners, Marani remains sole proprietor. With his wife Claudia responsible for the design department, he gave new energy to the company, which now has 40 artisan-workers.
The new millennium begins with the launch of a line of leather clothing for women. These are hand-made in the tradition of the firm.