The idea of putting a map onto luggage and the creation of the Prima Classe label are the work of Alviero Martini, who draws inspiration from his great passion for travel and maps.

During a trip to Russia in 1987, Alviero Martini acquired an old map which he immediately thought to apply onto an old suitcase, thus creating the "prototype".

Two years were needed to develop the idea and in 1989 the Prima Classe line was presented to the American market, becoming an instant success the world over. Almost contemporarily the other collections were developed.

The Style: Dedicated to the modern globe-trotter who cultivates his passion for travel, and intended as a sophisticated manifestation of the personality, the Classe style proposed by Alviero Martini has a retro feel with a look towards the third millennium, where atmosphere and human values are in the fore.

An open-eyed perception of the world created with warm, embracing colours from feelings that are born of the need to experience new, ever-differing cultures, people and customs and sensations that become an innovative expression of a personal, authentic style.

Alviero Martini has always worked in the style and design sector. He was born in Cuneo and, after studying Art, began traveling, conducting "explorations" into various art, design and cultural sectors.

Theatre, cinema, art and fashion are the high-profile areas that form the framework of his far-reaching stylistic research, designing fabrics, stationery and fashion collections. He has lived in Paris, London, New York, spent a long time in Rome and founded the company Alviero Martini S.p.a in Milan.

Many are the admirers of Alviero Martini's collections, some close friends for many years, others more recently introduced but generous in voicing their esteem.

From Whitney Houston to Valeria Mazza, Billy Zane, Zizi Jeanmaire, the Queen of Denmark, Roland Petit, Alessandra Ferri, Carla Fracci, Luciana Savignano, Franca Rame, Charlotte Rampling, Ornella Muti, Cameron Diaz and many others! To all of these Alviero Martini extends warm affection and attention… something that is always returned.

Alviero Martini Spa is the company that manages the label. Its head office is in Milan. Alviero Martini Spa takes care of the label's style and design, world image and advertising activities and organises quality control checks of its own collections by way of direct management of certain points of sale.

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