Sophie Lewis heads to Italy’s Lake Orta region to visit Italian-made designer tapware and accessories brand FIMA Carlo Frattini’s headquarters, soon to be available exclusively through Abey Australia.
In partnership with Abey Australia
In Northern Italy’s Piedmont region, in the Province of Novara, Lake Orta is described as the Cinderella of the Italian Lakes. With the snow-coated Alps in the distance, the UNESCO World Heritage site is home to medieval villages like Orta San Giulio that cling to its shores. From every vantage point, the lake looks out to the Island of San Giulio, where the Benedictine monastery still operates, and the frescoed Basilica di San Giulio stands.
The Lake Orta region is also known for faucet manufacturing – a reputation it earned during the 1980s and 1990s, following its long history of brass production, in particular church bells. It’s here that Italian tapware and accessories brand FIMA Carlo Frattini was founded by its namesake, Carlo Frattini, in 1960.
The company was established during a time when a lot of small-scale production in Italy emerged, in garages, workshops and modest factories, “where people began creating something of their own,” Third-generation chief marketing officer Mattia Fiorindo recalls. “My grandfather was part of this movement.” The FIMA Carlo Frattini headquarters have remained in the region since, due to its access to specialised suppliers. “This ecosystem allows us to maintain a high standard and innovation, working closely with some of the best partners in the industry,” Fiorindo says.
Third-generation chief marketing officer Mattia Fiorindo holds part of the Flò Collection brass washbasin mixer by FIMA Carlo Frattini in the production facility.
Carlo Frattini initially started out producing pipes–copper components used to connect faucets to plumbing systems. “While simple in appearance, they were imperative to the overall system,” Fiorindo says. “My grandfather developed a new technology to create a stronger, more reliable pipe,” he continues. “From the beginning, our approach was to improve what already existed.”
In the 1980s, the company expanded into faucet production with the same philosophy: to take what existed and make it better. “This was a turning point, because the market was already well established and highly competitive,” Fiorindo says. ‘Made in Italy’ is integral to this philosophy, and, as Fiorindo says, by managing every stage, from machining to polishing to finishing, they have full control over quality and consistency. This is backed by the FIMALAB, an internal research and development department that creatively pushes what’s possible for sustainability, engineering and craftsmanship.
FIMA Carlo Frattini creative director Davide Vercelli designed the SO Collection with unlimited customisation possibilities, including glass colours, bronze and gold. Revisiting the traditional mixer, the SO version has a single-hole double control and a spot which limits the flow rate of water supply, while meeting the demands of daily use.
Over the past decade, the company has seen a shift from plumbers being the primary point of contact with customers to architects and interior designers playing a decisive role, which has a direct impact on the development of finishes. “We began with chrome, but designers have increasingly requested more expressive surfaces and colour variations,” Fiorindo says.
Fiorindo admits expanding their offering to include a range of colours and finishes is not simple in bathroom environments, so they’ve developed advanced finishing techniques, engineered for long-term performance. “We also expanded our catalogue to include coordinated accessories and fittings, allowing for a complete, unified aesthetic within the bathroom,” he adds.
From the 1990s, design has been a key pillar of FIMA Carlo Frattini, realised through collaboration with external designers. The introduction of collections such as SO, designed by Davide Vercelli, demonstrates this focus, rethinking the traditional concept of a mixer and its conventional form through a customisable design language and approach to user interaction.
The brand have a dedicated outdoor collection for different environments – suited to the Australian climate and lifestyle. The Outside outdoor shower collection is designed for durability poolside, while the Ingiro is a portable, plug-and-play outdoor shower. Both outdoor shower collections will be available through Abey Australia.
FIMA Carlo Frattini creative director Davide Vercelli attests that tapware design is always about balancing technical performance with simplicity of use, all the while keeping the complexities hidden. “A key part of our design thinking is control,” he continues, “control of temperature, flow, and user experience.” The starting point is always the evolution of domestic spaces – the changing expectations around comfort, wellbeing and usability.
In response to the growing interest in private wellness, FIMA Carlo Frattini released the FIMA WELLNESS collection. This allows architects and designers to create shower spaces that address multiple needs, using a wide range of products, such as the modular O3 shower system, which will soon be retailed through Abey Australia. Vercelli explains that Thermostatic control lies at the heart of the experience, “allowing water temperature to remain constant and stable, adapting automatically to changes in pressure or use, which is essential for comfort and safety.”
At the same time, FIMA Carlo Frattini’s outdoor collection has emerged, recognising that no two outdoor spaces are the same, from gardens to rooftops to pool areas. “The Outside outdoor shower collection is designed as a more architectural, fixed outdoor shower, while the Ingiro portable outdoor shower explores the idea of mobility and freedom,” Vercelli says. “It is a plug-and-play system that connects directly to an outdoor water source and can be moved easily throughout a space.” That versatility, Vercelli attests, makes it relevant to the Australian lifestyle and climate, where the living outdoors is not just an extension of the home, but a fundamental part of it.
Mattia Fiorindo speaking with Sophie Lewis at the FIMA Carlo Frattini headquarters.
FIMA Carlo Frattini is proudly ‘Made in Italy’ and continues to be family-run. Pictured: Sophie Lewis with the FIMA Carlo Frattini team. Left to right: Roberto Fiorindo, Ottavio Frattini and chief marketing officer Mattia Fiorindo.
Looking out to the Alps, the FIMA Carlo Frattini headquarters is located close to the tranquil Lake Orta. Founded here in 1960 by Carlo Frattini, the company continues to draw on the local legacy of brasswork and faucet manufacturing.
