FINE AND DANDY
Wanny di Filippo
WANNY DI FILIPPO is known as much for his quirky fashion sense as for his design skills. The founder and designer of Florence-based Il Bisonte is a regular on street style blogs and in fashion week coverage in the media and on the web. The designer of unique, high-quality leather goods comes across as a dandy figure with an eclectic taste in style. When it comes to dressing up, this Italian artisan is not afraid to mix bold colors and prints, accessorising them with a selection of scarves and his signature hats.
Today, the Italian leather goods company he founded in the 1970s, Il Bisonte, continues to produce finely crafted goods that are known for their natural leather. The leather, natural vegetabletanned cowhide, darkens with the passage of time and usage, creating a story of its own as well as reflecting the character of its user. This maturing of the leather has made Il Bisonte wildly popular among the brand’s aficionados and created a cult following.
Il Bisonte has its flagship store in Florence. It also has stores and is represented across Europe, America, Australia, and all over Asia such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea and Japan. This month, Il Bisonte is due to open, in Jakarta, its first store in Southeast Asia. In anticipation of the launch, di Filippo gave Prestige an exclusive interview at his workshop in Florence. Highlights:
IL BISONTE IS NOT A FAMILIAR NAME TO INDONESIANS. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE IT FOR THEM?
Il Bisonte is an Italian leather goods brand - designed, trademarked and produced only by hand by the most skilled Italian craftsmen in the countryside near Florence. Quality is our guarantee.
WHY THE BISON AS YOUR BRAND’S NAME AND LOGO?
I’ve always been fascinated by the feeling of peace and strength that bison convey. For centuries these animals have been source of life and future for the people who roamed in Northern America territories. So the bison is a symbol that I proudly use to ‘sign’ my product.
When it comes to growing and expanding the brand, my motto is the Italian phrase “piano, piano” which translates to “slowly, slowly”. I see growing big as a process not to be rushed into, but rather to be taken steadily, step by step, in the right pace. Keeping in mind that our products are hand-made by skilled artisans, an increase in production will mean that we have to increase our manpower who are skilled in the crafts, and that is always a challenge in today’s industry.
I HEARD THAT YOU ARE QUITE CAREFUL AND “SUPERSTITIOUS” WHEN IT COMES TO EXPANDING THE BUSINESS OUTSIDE ITALY.
Well, I think it is important to feel the right energy when going into a business venture. When we agree to do business with our partners outside Italy, it is because they understand us as a brand, and what Il Bisonte is about. We are not looking to expand dramatically in China or all over the world. Our approach has always been more personal. Like when Yohana (Irawan), the director of the Indonesian company that is partnering with us, came and gave her presentation, we felt that she shares our values and knew how to present the brand in Indonesia.
WHAT IS IL BISONTE ALL ABOUT?
Il Bisonte will always stands for individuality and quality. Over the years, the company has grown enormously especially in terms of our production. In spite of this progress, we steadily maintained our artisan roots and continue being a truly ‘Made in Italy’ brand; all our productions are done here in Florence, all the leathers we used are sourced here, mostly from tanneries in Tuscany. This is what Il Bisonte is proud of; it is what Il Bisonte is all about. You know, when I started Il Bisonte it was out of love and fun. Then it started to become a serious business. Today, I’m happy to still be doing Il Bisonte, something that I find great pleasure in.
YOU ARE KNOWN AS A WELL-DRESSED MAN WITH A GREAT FASHION SENSE. ANY ADVICE FOR THE GUYS?
It is not important to follow the fashion trends of the moment but rather go for something that makes you feel good. When you feel good, you look good. For a personal fashion style, buy things for yourself that you like and make you feel good, not to show others your wealth. For me, the really important things in life are three things; health, freedom and friends. When you have that, you are set for life.