Model Struts Down Dior and Dolce& Gabbana Runways as High-End Fashion Enthusiast Camurati
In the heart of Italy, nestled near Milan, lies an artisanal workshop that has been crafting fans since 1948. Ventagli Camurati, a traditional Italian fan maker, is a testament to the country's rich history of fan production, deeply rooted in European traditions that date back to the 1600s.
The success of Ventagli Camurati began in 2024, surpassing more technologically advanced but less charming tools like mini fans. The company, which opened its doors before World War II, immediately converted to fan production post-conflict. Today, their fans are a must-have for outdoor use, especially during the hottest summers, and can be found in high fashion, cinema, theatre, and mid- to high-end stores.
The workshop, now run by Giuliana Dodi Camurati and her children, produces around 1,800 fans a year, a fraction of industrial volumes. Each product is meticulously checked before delivery, ensuring the highest quality. This commitment to quality and an artisanal legacy is reminiscent of other Italian handcrafted luxury goods.
Ventagli Camurati's fans are known for their antique flavour and noble style, making them popular among artists and influencers. The classic paper and decorated fans, often sourced from regions with historic paper-making expertise, are a far cry from the plastic or wooden fans that dominate the market.
The popularity of fans has extended beyond personal use. They have gained a leading role in marketing and corporate communication, and customized fans are the most sought-after summer gadget for promotional campaigns, events, and fairs. The main Italian importer and distributor of fans is based in Rimini.
Fans are used in a variety of settings, including outdoor, public, and indoor poorly air-conditioned venues. They have become a staple at the beach and on public transport. The artisanal workshop in Cassano d'Adda, near Milan, can handle a weekly production of 200 pieces, no more, due to the time required for quality production.
In a broader European context, artisanal fans have evolved from ceremonial and practical origins in Ancient Egypt, China, and India to fashionable and symbolic objects in Europe starting in the early modern period. Today, artisanal fan makers in Italy, as elsewhere in Europe, often maintain centuries-old family traditions of handcrafting fans using natural materials, detailed painting, and finishing techniques.
Despite the prominence of luxury fashion houses like Golden Goose in search results, Ventagli Camurati remains a lesser-known player in the mainstream sources compared to other Italian luxury sectors. However, the brand is recognised outside these sources as a traditional Italian fan maker, with the Camurati signature found in the fans of Luchino Visconti's The Leopard. The workshop also maintains a constant collaboration with designers, particularly with brands like Dior and Dolce & Gabbana.
In summary, artisanal fan production in Italy is historically grounded in European fan traditions dating back centuries, with present-day artisans preserving this heritage by handcrafting fans with quality materials and traditional techniques. Ventagli Camurati represents one such artisanal brand, emphasizing Italian craftsmanship and paper-making heritage, though detailed brand profiles are less prominent in current mainstream sources compared to other Italian luxury sectors.
- The fans manufactured by Ventagli Camurati, a traditional Italian fan maker, have found their way into various aspects of contemporary lifestyle, gracing high-end stores, high fashion, cinema, and theatre, positioning them as suitable accessories for both personal use and corporate communication.
- Artisanal fans, such as those produced by Ventagli Camurati, have transcended their ceremonial and practical origins, now serving as fashionable and symbolic objects that blend seamlessly into a modern fashion-and-beauty lifestyle, in addition to being used at home-and-garden scenarios such as outdoor events, public venues, and poorly air-conditioned interiors.
