Collanine Colorate, an Italian brand of necklaces and similar accessories, was set up in the summer of 2020 by Lorenzo Franchini and Giacomo Giovagnoli, who had the idea of creating colourful bead necklaces using only high-quality materials like glass beads, gemstones, freshwater pearls, seashells and steel elements. 

“About six years ago, we made a necklace that we designed for ourselves, at a time when wearing such an accessory in summer was very trendy. In 2020, people started asking us for similar necklaces, and our brand was born,” said Franchini, speaking to FashionNetwork.com. “The materials our necklaces are made with render them more long-lasting. In addition to a wide range of bead necklaces, we have expanded our collections by introducing bracelets, eyewear chains and silver pendant necklaces, all hand-crafted in Italy. For the last 18 months, our articles have been made, rigorously by hand, by a cooperative in Milan,” he added.
 
In May 2024, the brand inaugurated Casa Collanine in Milan, its first store, used also as a showroom and event venue. Casa Collanine is located at via Goffredo Mameli 44, inside a period Milanese palazzo. Extending over more than 50 square metres, the store overlooks the street and is designed as a blank space to which the furniture and collections on display add colourful notes. The interiors have been decorated in collaboration with partners such as Archiproducts, Tylko and Casa delle Lampadine. Casa Collanine also acts as a venue where artists exhibit their work for six-month periods, giving the space a fresh feel every time.

“We’re currently thinking about enlarging the store. We’ve bought the adjoining premises, which in the new year will be incorporated within our store, but until early 2026 they’re available for other brands looking for a showcase in the area,” said Franchini. “The idea is to boost footfall in this quiet, very exclusive residential street, by temporarily hosting other brands keen on their own pop-up presence, perhaps during the Christmas period,” he added.

For the year-end festive period, Collanine Colorate will open pop-up stores in Rome, Bologna, Paris (at a florist in Saint-Germain) and Madrid. Between next spring and summer, “we’ll do something new,” said Franchini. He explained that, since both him and his partner Giacomo hail from Romagna (he’s from Forlì, Giacomo from Rimini), “we’d like to open a pop-up store in Romagna, where we have a great following. We’re aiming for [the sea resort of] Cervia. And then we’re thinking about a permanent store in Rome.”

 
Collanine Colorate believes that synergies with other brands, or with individuals and organisations that share its values, are important. The brand has developed capsule collections with other creatives, for example actress/influencer Eleonora Carisi, as well as bespoke products, for example a Summer Box with perfumery chain Douglas, and has collaborated with associations and non-profit organisations like Animenta and NEO.

It has also teamed up with brands like Dalfilo, Coccinelle, Tempo, Havaianas, Victoria Shoes and Harmont & Blaine, staging several workshops and customisation events since May 2024.

In 2024, Collanine Colorate recorded a revenue of €330,000, and expects to grow to approximately €440,000 this year. “Our challenge now is to keep growing, through B2B collaborations and by increasing our presence outside Italy,” concluded Franchini.