The story of how we revolutionized the
World of Cashmere

Liapull Cashmere is founded in Genoa through the passion and unwavering dedication of its founder, Lia Gambetta, who launches this extraordinary journey with just a single knitting machine.

The second generation joins the company: Fiorella Ghignone as CEO and Mirko Ghignone as Creative Director. Fiorella and Mirko focus on high-end knitwear, particularly cashmere. The company soon begins exporting its garments outside Italy.

The company makes a significant investment by relocating to a larger facility in Genoa, perched on a hill overlooking the port. This new location accommodates the creative, production, and management departments.

Several Shima Seiki machines are purchased, representing the cutting edge of knitting technology from Japan and providing a broad range of textile applications.

AVANT TOI is born from Mirko Ghignone's creativity, transforming the cashmere sweater and redefining knitwear history. As an eclectic artist with a profound appreciation for painting Mirko explores the power of color through hand-painting and innovative production techniques. He begins applying his artistic touch to cashmere sweaters, turning them into canvases of their own.

The new AVANT TOI showroom opens in Via Carlo Botta in Milan, providing an ideal space to nurture the brand’s growing creativity, regularly hosting sales campaigns, events, exhibitions, and photo shoots.

Mirko and Sabrina, partners in both life and work, begin a synergy of emotions and creativity.

Mirko says of her: "We are on the same wavelength. I have affectionately nicknamed Sabrina 'my extension'. She always finds the missing piece, especially during the artistic phase, when we are planning a new collection and need to start again as if from a blank canvas."

A celebration marks the 20th anniversary of the brand’s founding.

AVANT TOI launches a new Home product line, showcasing an imaginative collection of cashmere blankets, cushions, carpets, tablecloths, and other beautifully designed items, all embodying the brand's distinctive style.

Meanwhile, the Genoa headquarters continues to expand.

Opening of the first Flagship Store in Milan, offering accessories like scarves, foulards, and items from the Home Collection directly to the public.

During the Fuori Salone in Milan, AVANT TOI hosts a grand installation in their showroom, inspired by the magical world of Alice in Wonderland and featuring various pieces from the Home Collection.

Undeterred by COVID-19, AVANT TOI creates and distributes masks handpainted in its signature style, contributing to the fight against the pandemic.

The product line diversifies to create a total look in AVANT TOI style, including the limited edition AVANT TOI Sneakers collection.

The AVANT TOI "Quadrello" is becoming an increasingly iconic product. A vintage silk foulard is fused with a cashmere and silk base through a special needle punching technique, and then handpainted giving the accessory a unique and unrepeatable character.

The third generation joins the company: Giulia Marini in Strategic Business Development.

AVANT TOI launches its first capsule collection, “Flower Lake,” featuring numbered pieces with even more exclusive techniques and colors.

Capsule collections become a must-have in subsequent years.

The fusion of fashion and art becomes increasingly central to AVANT TOI's creative process. The brand sponsors the Mudec – Museum of Cultures in Milan for the exhibition "Rainbow: Colors and Wonders between Myths, Art, and Science" establishing a space within the museum to reinforce its connection with the art world.

AVANT TOI also prepares a workshop where participants can handpaint their scarves.

In September, a Vernissage is organized in the AVANT TOI temporary shop during the Genova Jeans event, repeating the live performance and painting workshop format.

At the end of the year, the documentary series dedicated to Italian craftsmanship, Italy Made With Love, in which AVANT TOI was featured as a highlight of Italian craftsmanship, won the prestigious Emmy Award.

AVANT TOI celebrates its 30th anniversary with a grand celebration in Paris inside the prestigious boutique Leclaireur, continuing to look forward to future successes.

AVANT TOI opens the doors of the Liapull headquarters for a unique experience exclusively for fashion industry journalists.

The highlight of the day is a live painting workshop led by Mirko: Journalists express their creativity by actively participating in the creation of a silk scarf, personalized through the live painting technique that defines the brand’s unmistakable style.

To celebrate its 30th anniversary, AVANT TOI presents a limited edition work of art: The Icon.

Only 200 unique numbered pieces worldwide.
The Icon is available exclusively at select boutiques, with just 30 pieces offered online. Perfect for brand collectors and those who wish to experience the unique luxury of AVANT TOI