IVV - Masterpieces in Hand-Blown Glass

Founded in 1952 in San Giovanni Valdarno, in the heart of Tuscany, IVV is one of the few glassworks left still producing in Italy. From the 1950s to the 1990s, it pioneered making hand-blown glass products accessible to an ever-widening market through industrial-scale production.

New Generations: How do you ensure continuous innovation and the future of an activity like yours, requiring a high level of skill, specialization, and creativity?

Innovation is key to ensuring the continuity and future of glass art, which demands not only expertise and mastery but also great commitment, passion, and love for beauty. This is why we continually invest in both technology and training, engaging talented designers capable of blending contemporary tastes with the ancient tradition of glass art.

Through which channels is a product of excellence like yours distributed? Who is able to truly convey its value to the end customer?

Our products have always been distributed in Italy through home goods, home decor, and gift shops. Abroad, we also work with distributors and specialized shops. In the HoReCa (Hotel-Restaurant-Café) sector, we operate both directly with clients and through distributors. Transmitting product value to the end customer requires training all participants in the distribution chain and supporting the sales network in communicating company values. We also connect directly with the end customer through dedicated communication materials.

What are your key markets in Italy and abroad?

Our main market by sales volume is currently Italy. However, we are also well-established in Russia, Central Asia, China, Egypt, the Middle East, and much of Latin America. Europe and North America are also markets where we have had a strong presence and are currently experiencing growth.

What new products will be presented at Milano Home?

IVV's offerings have always stood out for the production of high-quality hand-blown and pressed glass, characterized by excellent raw materials and skilled use of color. We create vases, decor items, glasses, plates, chargers, trays, and other tableware. At Milano Home, we will present new items across these categories, focusing on tableware and reimagining iconic designs in a contemporary way—a path we have embarked on to bring classic projects back to prominence, blending tradition with modernity.

Seguso - Centuries-Old Tradition

The Seguso family has been involved in the glassmaking art without interruption since 1397 (an incredible 23 generations), a tradition that still guides their work today. Their primary motivation in production is to keep craftsmanship alive at the highest levels, or as they put it, “to keep the fire burning.” This is what makes them a true artistic glassmaker.

Despite having their designs, styles, and collections in objects, lighting, and furnishings, they are always open to collaborations with architects, interior designers, and private clients to create custom pieces tailored to specific needs. Their clients include brands like Estée Lauder, Dior, Fendi, and Tiffany.

New Generations: How do you ensure the ongoing innovation and future of a business like yours, requiring exceptional skill, specialization, and creativity?

For us, engagement is key in the challenge to sustain craftsmanship, now more relevant than ever. Glassblowing is hard work, but if you love the material, every sacrifice is meaningful, and craftsmanship offers great rewards despite the long apprenticeship. Our average master glassmakers are around 40 years old, a very good average, but the challenge is ongoing, and nothing can be taken for granted. We strive to share our passion not only with our children but also with our collaborators and their families. However, the life of a master glassmaker must be a free choice and can never be imposed.

Through which channels is a product of excellence like yours distributed?

“Distribution channels” and “true Italian craftsmanship” seem contradictory to us, as the former implies mass production, while we focus on quality and craftsmanship. Therefore, we mostly focus on custom projects for residential lighting, hotels, and special private-label projects.

We consider ourselves artisans in sales as well, given the myriad aspects involved in custom sales and projects, so specific expertise is crucial to offer clients the right guidance. For us, the quintessential sale is personal, almost door-to-door, which is exactly what we do. Our products are unique, distinct, and not standardized, and their story must include personal experiences and the artisan’s own history.

What are your key markets in Italy and abroad?

Our main market is the United States, where Pierpaolo, the company’s administrator and designer, lives and directly manages the American market. Our business model follows a “Multi Target, Narrow Casting” approach: we focus on several countries but with a few selected clients seeking unique products.

Thanks to our reputation and professionalism, clients often come to us directly—sometimes because they see our pieces in museums (we’re featured in over 100 museums worldwide), or because they’ve heard of us, or they might even have Seguso pieces in their homes passed down through generations.

What new products will be presented at Milano Home?

At Milano Home, we will present a contemporary take on Murano, a Seguso interpretation of our time with new collections specifically designed for this event, blended with some of our iconic products. Our aim is to create a Museum for the Home, valuable pieces that can be passed down as family heirlooms: the opposite of fast design or disposable trends.

Due Zeta - Venetian Eclecticism

Founded in 1993 by Andrea and Michele Zecchin, Due Zeta specializes in artisanal decoration on crystal using color, gold, and platinum, with a wealth of styles and techniques. They also produce Murano glass with items such as glasses, vases, decor items, and small objects inspired by Venetian tradition. Additionally, for about 15 years, they have offered an extensive collection of Murano glass jewelry.

New Generations: How do you ensure continuous innovation and the future of an activity like yours, requiring high skill, specialization, and creativity?

We pay great attention to training new artisans, who are carefully selected and mentored in their development by experienced masters. We are very proud of our skilled craftsmen, both decorators and glassmakers.

Through which channels is a product of excellence like yours distributed?

Our primary clients are major international buyers who sell both online and in physical stores. In the United States and Japan, we are also featured in several museums.

Who is able to truly convey the value of your product to the end customer?

Due Zeta owns several shops in Venice, all located in the San Marco district, where our highly qualified staff can directly explain every aspect of our tradition to customers. We take pride in sharing with consumers the ancient Venetian techniques that inspire us, driven by a strong inclination toward innovation while never forgetting tradition.

What are your key markets in Italy and abroad?

We are present worldwide and in major Italian cities such as Venice, Florence, and Rome. Internationally, our main markets are the United States and the European Union.

What new products will be presented at Milano Home

We are finalizing our new collections these days and look forward to surprising our clients at Milano Home 2025, as we have for over 30 years.