Paolo
Agresti
Artisans of Luxury
Anecessary companion for luxury lifestyle aficionados, an Agresti armoire is a testament to style,elegant design and innovation. This company stayed to true to its roots, having drawn its inspiration from the tradition of Florentine craftsmanship for more than six decades, yet keeping up with the times.
Mr Agresti, tell our readers a bit about your company.
The company was founded in 1949, so we have been manufacturing interiors and lines for jewellers and watches for ladies and men for 64 years. In the past 10 years, we introduced what I would call a revolutionary idea – a wooden armoire with a real built-in face where you can store all of your jewellery. Some of our pieces also have watch winders that are made in Switzerland, by the same company that produces them for Rolex.
This armoire can be opened with a single movement. A very interesting feature is the biometric opening device which enables the owner to register himself as the master user and to allow up to 100 other entries. Just as easily, the owner of the master account may cancel all other entries.
What are the features of an Agresti armoire?
Most of our items now have a safe that can be anchored to the wall in order to secure all the valuables that one may need to store. There are other elements as well: jewellery boxes, a secret compartment for documents, the new bar set, glasses, a refrigerator for wine, chips and cards.
"We introduced what I would call a revolutionary idea – a wooden armoire with a real built-in face where you can store all of your jewellery."
It must have been a great challenge to combine what is a traditional element of what one needs to keep everything, but still make it look like a contemporary furniture piece. What is your design process?
Although we have an in house design studio, in the past few years we have consulted other professionals in order to broaden our offer in terms of design. Varying from a very contemporary look to art deco, classic style there is an Agresti armoire suitable for each home.
What does the future hold for the company?
Even in the current economic climate, rich people make more and more money and they have jewellery, watches, documents and other valuable things to secure. We offer a stylish alternative to a heavy, ugly looking safe, which I believe appeals to affluent people.
Is it a special order delivery?
In some places we have distributors, in some places,we have stores and,sometimes,very affluent people contact us privately. We have some booming markets at the moment,in the Arabic Countries and Russia. What does this piece cost, for example?
Price is confidential. Let’s just say that it will be a fraction of the amount and value of jewellery or Louis Vuitton bags that will be placed in here. I can tell you, however, that this piece costs 80,000 euros
FEB-MAR 2014