“Utility” was a revolutionary product for its modern material, its range of colours and the fun and freshness that it injected into a grey market.
Do you remember the Paninari who wore Timberland shoes, Best Company sweaters and a different coloured Mandarina knapsack every day?

The “Tank” travel line was as successful abroad as the “Utility” line was in Italy.
How did it all get started? Once, while travelling in the United States, Paolo and Giorgione bought a black nylon suitcase.
After they got home, Pietro showed it to Piero and they agreed that then was the right moment to create a new and bolder men’s travel line. The colour black was chosen because it was very trendy at that time.

Paolo began making prototypes using nylon and foam sown together.
The first prototype was good but not convincing.
Ten days later, Pietro had a eureka moment: he put the foam on the outside and painted it black! Then he decided to use a rubber-like material as the external element and looked for a supplier who made a special material, similar to rubber, called EVA. The prototype evolved into a line of canvas products with high-relief external rubber finishings.

It became a must abroad: everyone in the fashion world wanted it. Tank was most successful in Germany, France, Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom.

It was and still is very popular and people still ask for it even now!

You can see our Tank archive photos in the gallery

Technorati Tags: Timberland, Best Company, Tank, travel

This entry was posted by Mrs Valeria Wednesday January 30th, 2008 at 14:17
and is filed under Cult, History
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