Giulia Serafini & Antonio Bandini

Peromatto

Textile printer

©Peromatto

Ancient recipes

Giulia and Antonio specialise in rust printing
Their craft dates back five centuries
They use natural fibres, dyes and colours

Founded by Giulia Serafini and Antonio Bandini, Peromatto (crazy pear) is a textile handblock printing workshop specialising in rust printing, a traditional craft which dates back five hundred years in Romagna, the Italian region. They produce home fabrics, tablecloths, linens, blouses, espadrilles, bags and backpacks, often customised pieces. The rust colour is created with vinegar, flour and rust, following the ancient recipe. Each wooden block, imbued with it, is impressed on the fabric with the help of a mallet. Every phase of the production is handmade: designing, cutting, sewing, creating colours, printing. Every gesture is ancient. Peromatto uses only natural fibres, dyes and colours, such as rust and indigo.

Where

Interview

©Peromatto

©Peromatto

Why did you choose to devote yourself to this craft?: Giulia: We fell in love with the method and the natural colour. We’ve been fascinated by its ancient and humble roots. It’s a slow art, which needs just a few natural materials and the craftsperson's hands. Also, the love for our land played an important role.
What are your sources of inspiration?: Antonio: The rhythm of our simple life in the Apennines and the lushness of nature around us are both aesthetic and ethical sources of inspiration. During our walks in the nearby forests, we collect leaves, rocks, roots, seeds and feelings that feed our ideas.
Could rust-printing be considered in danger?: Giulia: It is, since it’s been passed down through generations in families. That’s why we spend much time teaching and promoting it. In our workshop we show every phase of production, which is crucial so people learn about handmade rust-printed fabrics.
How do you express innovation in this ancient craft?: Antonio: The most innovative aspect is carrying on this craft, which is inherently slow and ecological, in the contemporary economic system. The only new process we’ve introduced is laser cutting some print blocks, to realise customised designs for companies in our area.

Giulia Serafini & Antonio Bandini are rising stars: they began their career in 2017