A Colorful Beginning
Founded in 1977 in Bologna by Paolo Trento and Pietro Mannato, Mandarina Duck began with one bold idea: break away from the monochrome palette of the era. The first collection—Utility—was a celebration of synthetic materials, vibrant colors, and modern aesthetics, setting the tone for what the brand would become: fun, functional, and forward-thinking.
Reinventing Travel with Style
From the start, Mandarina Duck positioned itself as more than a luggage brand—it became a partner in contemporary life. Ahead of its time, the brand introduced items like designer luggage perfectly sized for the Mini Hatch (2004), and even a limited-edition Nissan Micra (2007).
Rooted in Innovation and Sustainability
Mandarina Duck is never content to stand still. Over the years, it has shown an unwavering dedication to creative design and eco-conscious production.
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Eco‑Coated Collection (FW 2024–25): A standout offering crafted from recycled PET plastic bottles. These bold, water-repellent backpacks, duffels, and crossbody bags—available in black and bright yellow—underscore Mandarina Duck’s pioneering EcoDuck initiative.
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REVIVAL 2.0 (S/S 25): A reimagining of an earlier concept, this collection features bubble-wrap textured fabric made entirely from recycled PET. Each item folds into a transparent pocket—sleek, practical, and eco-friendly—with tags that highlight the number of bottles repurposed.
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Revival Collection & ECODUCK™ Trademarks: Marking its further deep dive into sustainability, Mandarina Duck introduced the green-centered Revival Collection and filed for the ECODUCK™ trademark in Europe. Packaging is equally thoughtful, featuring bottle-shaped hang tags and fully recycled polybags.
Celebrating Heritage & The Future
Mandarina Duck isn’t just about pushing forward—it also honors its legacy.
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Verona Flagship & Gallery (Spring 2024): The store’s opening in Via Mazzini transformed into a gallery experience with ARTEP Italia, highlighting archival campaigns from the 1980s and iconic designs like the iridescent MD20 and the Logoduck series.
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Berlin Retrospective & Eco Coated Launch (July 2024): Hosted at Kreuzberg’s Prince Charles venue with artistic installations, this exhibition merged history and creativity, culminating in the launch of the Eco‑Coated line and underscoring the brand’s futuristic vision.
Global Expansion & Strategic Growth
Mandarina Duck is on the move—literally and figuratively.
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Strong Turnaround: After years of losses, the brand has rebounded: 2023 revenue reached €33 million, with 2024 projected to hit €35 million, accounting for 39% from domestic Italy and 26% from Germany.
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Retail & e‑Commerce Boost: Wholesale stays strong in Italy, Germany, Austria, and Spain. Retail and e‑tail grew—20% online, 11% in stores—with a new upgraded e‑commerce site expected in early 2025.
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Entering New Markets: Mandarina Duck is evaluating expansion into China and South America, alongside broader international growth and new monobrand store openings in 2025.
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In‑flight Exclusives: The Dreamy Travelling capsule, made from 100% recycled PET, is available onboard airlines like Scoot, Thai Airways, and Virgin Atlantic.
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Travel Retail Highlights: The 45th Anniversary backpack was launched with notable placements at Dubai Duty Free and airport travel retail channels in Italy.
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Amenities in the Sky: Mandarina Duck even debuted as amenity kit bags for Brussels Airlines via FORMIA, offering comfort essentials in stylish branding.
Where Creativity Meets Responsibility
Mandarina Duck continues to win hearts—not just for its style but for its ethos. One Reddit user put it perfectly:
“Amazing design, amazing quality.”
Mandarina Duck exemplifies the spirit of lasting innovation: bold colors, functional design, and ever-present optimism. From the past’s iconic designs to present-day sustainability initiatives and retail strategies, the brand remains a forward-thinking travel companion.
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