MOREL WAS

The stories of companies are easily boring and probably the least read part.

We thought of a summary that deliberately stays away from often insignificant details and magnificent performances but gives an idea.

In reality, we are keepers of an entire world of anecdotes and legends that, by unanimous family decision, will be passed down only verbally.

1918

Maurice Morel, a legendary man, builds the first cotton fabric factory for footwear in Arpajon, France.

1923 - 1930

Other factories are built in England, Spain, Morocco, Belgium, Germany, and Italy.

1926

Morel Italy is born in Milan, and Maurice chooses Antonio Ghiringhelli as his partner, another unique and fascinating man.

1930

The current factory is built at Via Privata Gradisca 18.

1935

Alice Bonfanti Botti becomes a partner alongside Ghiringhelli and Maurice Morel.

1943

The German army seizes the factory to install an anti-aircraft gun on the roof of F2. In the same year, the British attempt to bomb it but miss their target and hit the small F6 instead.

1945

The Americans arrive and briefly seize Morel.

1946

Ottavio Bonfanti, Alice's son, takes over from Ghiringhelli, who becomes involved in the reconstruction of Teatro alla Scala and becomes its superintendent for over twenty years.

1990

Luca Bonfanti, the son of Ottavio, takes over and begins a meticulous restoration of the Via Gradisca building.

2021

Luca and Bianca sell the branch of the company related to fabrics for footwear to focus exclusively on management and tireless restoration.

2023

Today, Morel is one of the rare examples in Milan of an original 1930s industrial complex that has never been abandoned. An incredible village where time, history, and why not? some ancient ideals, speak softly.