Collanine Colorate: From Custom Necklaces to Milanese Showstopper and Global Ambitions

Collanine Colorate, an Italian brand renowned for its vibrant necklaces and accessories, was established in the summer of 2020 by co-founders Lorenzo Franchini and Giacomo Giovagnoli. The genesis of the brand stemmed from a personal project: approximately six years prior, the duo created a custom necklace for themselves, tapping into a prevailing summer trend for such accessories. The significant demand from others for similar pieces in 2020 ultimately led to the official launch of the brand, driven by a vision to craft colourful bead necklaces using only premium materials such as glass beads, gemstones, freshwater pearls, seashells, and steel elements.

The brand's commitment to quality materials ensures the longevity of its creations. Beyond an extensive range of bead necklaces, Collanine Colorate has strategically expanded its product lines to include meticulously hand-crafted bracelets, stylish eyewear chains, and elegant silver pendant necklaces, all produced in Italy. For the past 18 months, the entire production process has been rigorously undertaken by hand through a dedicated cooperative based in Milan, underscoring the brand's dedication to artisanal craftsmanship and local production.

May 2024 marked a significant milestone for Collanine Colorate with the inauguration of Casa Collanine in Milan. This multifaceted space serves as the brand's inaugural store, a dynamic showroom, and an exclusive venue for various events. Located at via Goffredo Mameli 44, within a historic Milanese palazzo, Casa Collanine spans over 50 square metres and offers street-level views. Designed as a blank canvas, the interiors are brought to life with splashes of colour from the displayed furniture and collections. The decoration of the space was a collaborative effort, involving esteemed partners such as Archiproducts, Tylko, and Casa delle Lampadine. Furthermore, Casa Collanine acts as a cultural hub, hosting artists who exhibit their work for six-month periods, ensuring a fresh and evolving aesthetic for the space.

Looking ahead, the brand has ambitious plans for expansion. Lorenzo Franchini revealed intentions to enlarge the Milan store by integrating adjoining premises, which will become part of Casa Collanine by early 2026. Until then, these premises will be temporarily available to other brands seeking a prime showcase opportunity in the exclusive residential street, potentially boosting footfall, especially during festive periods like Christmas. For the upcoming year-end festive season, Collanine Colorate is set to broaden its reach with pop-up stores in key locations including Rome, Bologna, Paris (within a florist in Saint-Germain), and Madrid. Further expansion is planned for spring and summer, with a particular focus on Romagna, where both founders originate, aiming for a pop-up in the sea resort of Cervia, followed by the establishment of a permanent store in Rome.

Collanine Colorate strongly champions the importance of synergistic collaborations with other brands, individuals, and organizations that align with its core values. This philosophy has led to successful ventures, including capsule collections with creatives such as actress/influencer Eleonora Carisi, and bespoke products like the Summer Box developed with the perfumery chain Douglas. The brand has also actively engaged with non-profit organizations and associations, notably Animenta and NEO. Since May 2024, Collanine Colorate has further cemented its collaborative spirit by partnering with brands like Dalfilo, Coccinelle, Tempo, Havaianas, Victoria Shoes, and Harmont & Blaine, through a series of workshops and customisation events.

Financially, Collanine Colorate demonstrated robust growth, recording a revenue of €330,000 in 2024, with projections indicating further expansion to approximately €440,000 this year. Franchini emphasized that the brand's primary challenge moving forward is sustained growth, which will be pursued through strategic B2B collaborations and a significant increase in its international presence, marking a clear path for future development and market penetration.