In 1933, Alberto Di Giorgio, a Roman craftsman, opened a small shop in the heart of Rome, in the Campo Marzio rione. There was a little workshop within, where bespoke writing instruments were created with care. Artists, politicians, and nobility alike would stop in to purchase a piece they could trust to be an exhibit of great craftsmanship. The Campo Marzio bottega continued their work even through the ‘60s and ‘70s, when industrialization, consumerism, and the novelty of mass produced goods threatened the livelihood of many artisans. The shop moved a couple of times, but in the ‘90s settled back in at Via di Campo Marzio, where fashion boutiques had since firmly established themselves. It remains there today.
In 2000, for the occasion of the Great Jubilee of the Roman Church, Campo Marzio Design produced a special collection of precious fountain pens for the Vatican Museums. This monumental event launched the brand onto an international stage. Today, Di Giorgio’s son, Roberto, continues the family tradition as the chairman of Campo Marzio International.
The product line has seen a tremendous expansion, to include more than just stationery and writing instruments. Quality leathergoods, such as desk and travel accessories, briefcases, portfolios, wallets, technology covers, and more, come in up to 11 different colours. Of course, traditional fountain pens are still available, as are ballpoint and roller pens and pencils. There are also three calligraphy sets to choose from, including one with a feather quill outfitted with a nib. Collections are renewed each season, and new designs introduced such as this year’s ballpoint pen with either a USB or a tablet pen on the opposite side.
Products are available in classic black, but that’s not quite the point of owning a Campo Marzio piece. Their trademark use of colour is part of the attraction. Each design comes in a variety of vibrant hues, from mandarin orange and cyclamen purple to mint green and dandelium yellow. There are over 80 stores around the world, and Canada’s first has just opened at Metropolis at Metrotown in Burnaby. In-store, a backlit pen wall featuring 250 different pens will be on display for people to try. The boutique features a neutral palette of white and taupe with leather feature wall in orange, the signature colour of the Campo Marzio brand.
