Mandarina Duck is an Italian fashion company, founded in 1977, that specializes in high-quality, functional leather goods and travel items with a contemporary, informal style. The brand is known for its innovative use of materials, original designs, and a bold color palette, which broke away from the traditional, monochrome market at its inception.

Company Overview

Founded:
1977 in Bologna, Italy, by Paolo Trento and Pietro Mannato.

Headquarters:
Milan, Italy.

Ownership:
Acquired in July 2011 by the E-Land Group, a large Korean fashion retailer.

Icon/Logo:
The colorful and tireless Mandarin duck (Aix galericulata), which symbolizes travel, curiosity, and a lifelong companionship, perfectly representing the brand’s values.

Target Audience:
Demanding, curious, positive, and on-the-move consumers who value a combination of smart design, functionality, and unique aesthetics.

Distribution:
Products are sold through a global network of owned retail stores (in cities like Milan, Seoul, and Barcelona), over 600 selective wholesale points of sale, and major travel retail/duty-free locations in Europe and Asia.
Product Lines and Style

Mandarina Duck is distinguished by its blend of creativity, irony, and innovation, creating hybrid and unique products for a globetrotter lifestyle. The company has developed two primary collections:

Leisure Collection:
This line focuses on products and accessories like handbags, shoulder bags, and wallets that accompany women in their daily lives, emphasizing a female spirit.

Travel & Business:
A more practical line offering smart and attractive solutions for travel and work needs, including luggage, briefcases, and backpacks.

Key aspects of their products include:

Innovative Materials:
The brand pioneered the use of unconventional materials like the “rubberised canvas” in its first collection, Utility, and later “Mitrix” fabric, a blend of nylon and polyester.

Color:
The brand is famous for its bright colors, a key differentiator in a market once dominated by conventional black or brown leather goods.

Sustainability:
Mandarina Duck has a strong focus on sustainability with its “Ecoduck” initiative and collections like the Eco Coated line, which uses recycled PET plastic bottles for its fabrics.