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.
1985
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 exquisite garments outside Italy.
1992
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.
1993
Several Shima Seiki machines, representing the cutting edge of knitting technology and providing a broad range of textile applications, are being purchased.
1994
The company takes a major step forward with the launch of the Avant Toi brand, born from Mirko's creativity.
Avant Toi emerged from Mirko's creativity, transforming the cashmere sweater and redefining knitwear history. As an eclectic artist with a profound appreciation for painting and the power of color, Mirko explored innovative production techniques and hand-painting inspired by action painting. He began applying his artistic touch to cashmere sweaters, turning them into canvases of their own.
1997
Opening of the first Avant Toi showroom in Milan on Via Gesù.
2009
The showroom relocates and expands to Via Carlo Botta in Milan. The new Avant Toi showroom provides an ideal space to nurture the brand’s growing creativity, regularly hosting events, exhibitions, and photo shoots.
Sabrina Verrando joins the company as a stylist.
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."
2014
A celebration marks the 20th anniversary of the brand’s founding.
2017
Launch of the Home Collection.
Avant Toi launches a new Home product line, showcasing an imaginative collection of cashmere blankets, cushions, carpets, throws, tablecloths, and other beautifully designed items, all embodying the brand's distinctive style.
Meanwhile, the Genoa headquarters continues to expand.
2018
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.
2020
Undeterred by COVID-19, Avant Toi creates and distributes masks hand-painted in its signature style, contributing to the fight against the pandemic.
2021
The product line diversifies to create a total look in Avant Toi style, including the limited edition Avant Toi Sneakers collection.
The iconic Avant Toi Quadrello is becoming an increasingly flagship product: it consists of a cashmere and silk base to which a vintage silk scarf is sewn. This is achieved using the special needle punching technique, which allows different materials to be fused together and gives the accessory a unique and unrepeatable character
2022
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 collections.
At the end of the year, the brand hosts an event for journalists where Creative Director Mirko Ghignone performs a live painting on fabrics.
2023
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 hand-paint 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.
2024
Avant Toi celebrates its 30th anniversary with a grand celebration in Paris, continuing to look forward to future successes.