Aenēis is a brand of silk scarves and accessories set up in 2018 by Lisa Lubrini, who has been the mind, heart and body of the project. Inspired by Virgil's Aeneid, the name celebrates the theme of travel and the consequent fecund meeting of cultures and traditions. Born and raised in Castel San Pietro, in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland, Lisa embarked on a career in fashion that led her to lead a nomadic life between Australia, Bali and Europe, while keeping firm hold of her strong Ticino roots. In 2017, while holding a position as a print designer for a large multinational company, she decided to undertake a radical life change and move to Paris with her partner.
"I realised that I was no longer happy and fulfilled, as that life and work no longer reflected my ideals and values," Lisa explains. In the vibrant French capital she felt she could finally devote herself body and soul to an entrepreneurial idea that, right from the start, had all the ingredients for success. On the back of her skills learned in the fashion industry and with the proximity of the Como textile district to her family home, Lisa began a period of study, research and prototype development that ended just a year later with the launch of her brand and website.
Every year there are two new collections of designs and core pieces, with iconic and timeless models presented during Paris fashion week. Currently, Aēneis can count on several medium to high-end multi-brand retailers throughout Europe, including in Switzerland, Denmark, France and Germany, as well as in Eastern markets such as Japan and South Korea.
Scarves, bandeaus and hair accessories bear prints inspired by Lisa’s own emotions and the places and memories of her childhood spent in the Swiss countryside. There are leaves, flowers and occasionally animals, as well geometric motifs, references to architecture and the works of contemporary artists, including the work of Josef Albers, that resurface from her travels. Among her many sources of inspiration there is also men's fashion, referenced in the latest collection in striped prints as in classic men's shirts, embellished with small fringes that add movement and a casual touch to scarves and bandeaus.
"Dreamed in the Swiss countryside, designed in Paris, responsibly made in Italy" is the tagline of the brand, which relies on a trusted network of Como-based suppliers and manufacturers that reflect values of sustainability, ethicality and respect, both towards people and the environment. The supply chain is carefully controlled, with small-scale production, as Aēneis produces sophisticated high quality accessories that celebrate both ancient Italian expertise and unmistakable Parisian charm.