Elegance, Modernity and Engineering
Aethalia is the ancient name of the Island of Elba, where Locman has its headquarters. Coined by the ancient Greeks, it means “spark” and refers to the glimmers the Argonauts noticed when observing the island from the sea: they were the lights emitted by the Etruscan furnaces, where metals—of which Elba has always been rich—were expertly forged.Technical expertise and artisanal craftsmanship have distinguished the people of Elba since ancient times. Aethalia was also the name given by the islanders to the legendary ferry that connected the island to the mainland in the 1950s: the first ferry to offer direct access for cars, without the need for the nets that had previously been used to hoist vehicles onto the deck.Those years marked the beginning of tourism on the island, and Europe’s first modern ferry came to symbolize adventure, progress and renewal. Every detail on board was meticulously designed: bartenders served cocktails in crystal glasses, and even the short crossing became an unforgettable experience.Aethalia set the rhythm of life for the people of Elba, serving the main routes at noon and at eight in the evening, when the day’s connections came to an end. Its arrival or departure was always an occasion. Drawn by the unmistakable sound of its siren, islanders would gather at the harbour to see who was arriving and who was leaving.It was a symbol of modernity, engineering and openness to the world—an emblem of an Italy looking towards the future.
It is these values of elegance, modernity and engineering that inspire Locman’s new Aethalia collection.