Marelli

Marelli Pizzi – Excellence in Cantù Lace

Marelli Pizzi is a leading maker of Cantù Lace, one of the world’s most renowned lace traditions, celebrated for its beauty, delicacy and complexity. The company’s story begins in 1935-40, when the Marelli family started producing lace in Cantù, in Lombardy, where this craft has been rooted for centuries.

Marelli Pizzi creates high-quality lace using traditional methods and premium, natural yarns such as cotton, linen and silk. The collection ranges from lace centrepieces and home linens to lace for garments, accessories and more fashion-oriented pieces designed for the most demanding clients.

Every piece is entirely handmade, with meticulous attention to detail, so that each work is unique and impeccably finished. Marelli Pizzi is also committed to preserving and promoting the art of Cantù Lace, supporting the training and inclusion of young lacemakers to ensure the continuity of this heritage.

With a strong focus on environmental sustainability, the company works with natural materials and artisanal processes.

For enquiries or collaborations, please feel free to contact us.

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HOW IT ALL BEGAN

Ul sciur de Milan el veva vist luntan…

The gentleman from Milan had seen far ahead.

It was around 1930 and the newly founded Manifattura Marelli in Cantù was beginning to establish itself, offering household linens and lace pieces to an increasingly refined clientele: Milanese families and ladies from all over Brianza.

Those were years of strong entrepreneurial growth in every sector. What matters most for this story is that people were slowly discovering a new desire: the wish to bring into their homes a work of art in Cantù Lace, something to display with pride to friends and relatives.

Without realising it, our parents already appreciated what would later be described as an “investment” or a “dowry piece”.

Among those first important clients there was a Milanese gentleman who held a high position in society, a man of taste and discretion. Today such formality might make us smile, but at that time serving him was a true mark of prestige. He wanted something truly special for his daughter: not overly commercial, but elegant, authentic, and unique. That is how it all began.

The first commission

The lacemakers immediately set to work, each according to her skill. They worked from the patterns that Mrs Maria Marelli had carefully prepared for them: tablecloths, linens and refined lace details.

The work progressed step by step. There was time; only the final result mattered.

When all the linens were finished, they were presented to the family’s notary, who exclaimed:
“Congratulations – I did not expect them to be like this.”

A relationship of trust and friendship was born with the gentleman from Milan, and it continued for years. Most of the work seemed done – but there was still a small detail to complete: a ring holder was missing.

This became the most requested item among the bride’s friends, and so the Marelli family decided to create a new, unprecedented product. They wanted to surprise once again. Within three days the piece was designed and made – et voilà, the finishing touch.

Mrs Marelli, known by all the lacemakers as “Persiglia”, thanked them for the care and enthusiasm with which they had executed every Cantù Lace motif.

In the days that followed, the bride’s mother proudly showed these pieces to her friends. From those living rooms, quite naturally, the first commercial demand for Marelli-branded products was born.

Ul sciur de Milan el ga veduu luntan…
The gentleman from Milan truly had seen far ahead.

A family story

The story did not end there. Mrs Marelli’s children chose to join the family business, each according to their own talents:

some studied and specialised in lace design,
some were naturally gifted in managing relationships with the lacemakers,
some built a network of agents and selected shops throughout Italy,
others focused on developing international sales.

They were not easy choices, but collaboration within the family allowed this ancient art to be carried forward to the present day.

Over time, opportunities grew, especially in southern Italy, often thanks to word of mouth. Families such as Schirripa, Serafino, Cuzzocrea became true friends.

The South is not, as some unfairly say, a “pit of illegality”. Those who repeat this simply do not know it. The South of Italy is rich in beautiful places, excellent cuisine, a deep culture and many remarkable people.

Meeting other cultures

Thanks to the work of Cantù and the network built by the Marelli family, we had the privilege of meeting and working with clients from different cultures and countries. We learned that:

Muslim women have a refined sense of taste and are very open to advice. It is regrettable to see them misled by those who take advantage of their trust in Western products.
Chinese and East Asian women are familiar with artisanal work such as bobbin lace and recognise its value.
Russian women understand and respect the time involved in finishing each piece at the tombolo and know how to value that effort.

At the basis of everything are trust and mutual respect.

Looking to the future

Marelli Pizzi’s Pizzo di Cantù has a future because we continue to transmit culture and know-how, and you – as clients, collectors or visitors – choose to support it, recognising it as a wonder of Italy and an excellent investment.

Thank you sincerely for believing in Marelli Pizzi.

#marelli #pizzodicantu #lacecantu #lakecomo #favola #tombolo #ricamo #ricami #cantu #eccellenzaitaliana #artigianato #saperfare #garanzia

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