Pibiones by Antonello - exclusive fashion accessories and luxury handbags made with hand-woven eco-friendly fabrics.

In the heart of Sardinia in a region known as the Mejlogu; on top of an inactive volcano rises Siligo a small village of 1000 inhabitants, which was made famous by important names such as Gavino Ledda (writer and actor) and Maria Carta (folk singer). Here Antonello the founder of Pibiones by Antonello - Luxury Handbags - was born in the 70's. It was in this vibrant rural community that Antonello grew up. His family had been farmers for generations and he had to learn from childhood to look after the farm. It was here that Antonello started to discover the wonders of the luxury hand-woven eco-friendly fabrics.

An exclusive saddle bag was made especially for him by a local weaver (worn by the men either over their shoulder or on the animal’s back). It was while living in constant contact with the traditional woven articles (including luxury carpets, luxury tapestries, luxury furniture mats and festival trappings for the horses and oxen), that Antonello first developed his interest in luxury eco-friendly fabrics which would become his passion.

What fascinated Antonello particularly about these exclusive luxury textiles was the remarkable variety of subjects depicting not only details of everyday country life but also reflecting the influences of the different civilisations present in Sardinia n culture.
The decorations to be found on the textiles are characteristic of the slow evolution of the art to the present day. Thus, an age-old tradition is maintained which finds expression in a luxury modernised form. A sensitive blending of things old and new luxury.

Illustrations are drawn from the universe of animals (lambs, deer, peacocks, doves etc., all of which are typical of the Byzantine tradition); and man (bride and groom on horseback, the knight with his sword and the damsel with the bishops, wise men and winged cherubs).
Some designs are characterised by heraldic and emblematic symbols such as the two-headed eagle, towers, castles, churches, candle-bearers, fountains, lions, griffons, imaginary mythological figures and astrological details (sun, moon, stars).

Antonello’s interest in luxury fashion, luxury retail and luxury product development, dates back to his economics degree in Italy, where he begun to concentrate his research for his dissertation on luxury fashion. This led him logically to pursue a career in Retail and Production for the Luxury Fashion Industry.
When studying for a BA in Product Development at the London College of Fashion, he had the opportunity to be exposed to the full range of luxury fashion and luxury retail courses, all of which tended to reinforce and focus his intense interest in luxury fashion and luxury fashion handbags. He also had the opportunity to work with leading fashion and retail companies (Antonio Marras, Prada, Paul Smith, Mulberry, and Fendi) which provided him with a new and different perspective on the world of luxury fashion and luxury handbags.

From this experience, the help of his mother who taught him the art of embroidery, researching into the old weaving techniques and visiting Sardinia n weaving factories, he started to develop luxury products very similar to those his grandmother and his mother used. Thus he developed a range of eco-luxury handbags with Sardinian handwoven fabrics creating new meanings and usages for traditional Sardinian textiles. Antonello's personal story and attachment to his native Sardinia are made explicit and integral to the luxury handbags he designs. This interest is reinforced by a desire to preserve as well as advance craft skills that are at risk of disappearing due to globalisation & mass-produced designs. The luxury collections reflect the Sardinian healthy life style. The elemental forces of the sun, emerald green transparent sea and unspoiled white sandy beaches, the colours and the intense perfume of Mediterranean wild plants. (click here for more).

Technical Note:
The ‘grain’ or "a pibiones" technique is most commonly found in the central and eastern areas of the island. This is a particular type of stitched relief, created from the countless grains that make up the design. These are made by twisting the yarn around a needle which is arranged in a horizontal position on the loom; the needle is then pulled away, thereby creating a raised effect (grains). These grains are fastened by the weft threads and are fixed in position by one or more strokes of the beater. Operated entirely by hand, including the slay mechanism, i.e. the working phase effected by a complicated mechanism moved by the hands and feet which tightens the weft yarns one against the other once they have passed over the pin.