Giving shape to the the avant-garde is the essence of DaTE. What is the essence of your brand and how does it interpret the avant-garde?
Generally, it is believed that being avant-garde or state-of-the-art means working solely on the product, while in the case of Blackfin we are avant-garde because we are true to ourselves. Each element in the Blackfin value chain – from design to production (entirely in-house) to marketing and after-sales service – is linked and consistent. I am convinced that in 2021, particularly in the post-Covid era, this is real avant-gardism. Anything that does not fit into this working set-up is, in my opinion, outdated and rear-guard.
The materials are a key element of unique and original collections which do not neglect sustainability. Which ones have you chosen for the DaTE 2021 collections?
We have always worked with titanium, which is biocompatible and recyclable, but our sustainability policy is not limited to raw materials and packaging. We are fully committed to the entire concept of neo-Made-in-Italy, a principle which also can be seen in the company’s new headquarters. The premises are not just a building, but a real icon that physically testifies to our brand values: it is, in fact, the first business building in the Veneto region to be certified “Casa Clima Work and Life”. This means it is a ‘green’ building because of the way it was designed and built, environment-friendly but also attentive to work quality and wellbeing of the people who inhabit it.
Exclusivity, transgression, design. These are all concepts that have distinguished DaTE since its founding. Which of these features does your brand most identify with, and why?
Design, without a doubt, but not design simply for its own sake. For some time now, the company has been working on developing a functional design which is aimed at the end customer’s wellbeing but also assists the optician in his/her work.
How does the Italian market perceive eyewear with high level of design, focused on craftsmanship and high-tech?
I think positively, if it can combine the different elements of design, quality, technology and service. At the end of July, we recorded a 14% increase in sales in Italy compared to 2019, and we have very good expectations considering the forecasts. This result does not only come from the market recovery, it also shows the strong consolidation efforts which emerged during the pandemic and the company’s maturity which can take us even further in the upcoming future.