Kreativno staklo Srbije

Creative Glass Serbia

Kreativno staklo Srbije

Creative Glass Serbia

Studio Amarzo: Circular glass design unveils a new aesthetic

Posuđe izrađeno apcikliranjem iskorišćenih vinski boca || fotografija: ljubaznošću ateljea Amarzo
Tableware crafted through the upcycling of used wine bottles; design and production: Amarzo || Photo: courtesy of Amarzo

Studio Amarzo: Circular glass design unveils a new aesthetic

Tableware crafted through the upcycling of used wine bottles; design and production: Amarzo || Photo: courtesy of Amarzo

Amarzo is one of Europe’s most visible studios dedicated to the creative upcycling of discarded glass. It is based in Colle di Val d’Elsa, a town of about 20,000 residents in the province of Siena, globally renowned for its production of both functional and artistic crystal glass objects. An impressive 95% of Italian crystal, which is around 15% of global production, comes from this very place. With a glassmaking tradition dating back to the 14th century and numerous workshops, factories, and the Crystal Museum (Museo del Cristallo), this Romanesque Tuscan town naturally invites reflection on the past, present, and future of glass. There are no major wine producers in it, but the proximity of famous wine regions, Chianti and San Gimignano, and small family wineries make it an appealing destination for wine lovers as well.

The luxury glass industry needs to change

Although Colle di Val d’Elsa remains a true gem of Tuscany, young people like Luigi Taglialavore and Cristiano Lozzi, founders of Amarzo, have noticed a gradual decline in the perceived value of the local glassmaking industry. What is needed now are fresh initiatives that can bridge traditional notions of luxury with a contemporary aesthetic of sustainability.
Višenamenske posude od vinskih boca II fotografija: ljubaznošću ateljea Amarzo
Multi-purpose vessels made from wine bottles; design and production: Amarzo || Photo: courtesy of Amarzo
Višenamenske posude od vinskih boca II fotografija: ljubaznošću ateljea Amarzo
Multi-purpose vessels made from wine bottles; design and production: Amarzo || Photo: courtesy of Amarzo
The two of them have been close friends for years and previously worked together in the vineyards of the Chianti region. Watching perfectly intact wine bottles being thrown away in huge quantities, especially after tastings and private events, they began to wonder how these bottles could be given a new life. Motivated by the fact that bottle production alone generates around 30% of the total carbon footprint of the wine industry, and aware that industrial recycling is both costly and harmful to the atmosphere, they chose to focus exclusively on creative upcycling of used wine bottles.
Approaching glass as a highly durable material and a “treasure that symbolises Tuscan art and elegance,” they founded Amarzo in 2020 – a studio dedicated to transforming used wine bottles into practical, everyday objects. Embodying a spirit of new luxury, no longer defined purely by aesthetics but by responsibility and conscious design, their glasses, spoons, pitchers, trays, and candleholders quickly captured public attention and found admirers around the world.

Over the years, we’ve learned that our customers don’t just appreciate the aesthetics of our products but, first of all, the principles behind them: sustainability, craftsmanship, and giving glass a second life. Some of our items, like our wine glasses and carafes, have become particularly successful because they combine functionality with thoughtful design. Others, more experimental pieces, were less in demand, but they helped us better understand our audience. Today, we focus on our core collection, with the greatest attention directed toward the HoReCa market and end consumers who want to bring a piece of Tuscany into their homes.

– Luigi Taglialavore and Cristiano Lozzi, for Creative Glass Serbia, 2025

Proizvodi ateljea Amarzo II fotografija: ljubaznošću ateljea Amarzo
Products by Amarzo II Photo: courtesy of Amarzo
Luigi and Cristiano see their work as a series of small steps toward a cleaner environment. Rooted in the values of traditional craftsmanship and timeless Tuscan elegance, they create products that reduce glass waste and promote sustainability. Their guiding concepts are rebirth (la rinascita) and dream (il sogno). By giving new life to discarded wine bottles, they also began fulfilling their dream of reviving age-old glassmaking traditions. Their sincerity resonates with customers. They enjoy open conversations with anyone interested in their products, always expressing gratitude and a willingness to adapt to their customers’ wishes.

Our main challenge is to make Amarzo known beyond Italy’s borders. We are working on building a global network of partners and resellers who share our worldview and can tell the story behind each of our products.

– Luigi Taglialavore and Cristiano Lozzi, for Creative Glass Serbia, 2025

Boca-činija; dizajn i proizvodnja: atelje Amarzo II fotografija: ljubaznošću ateljea Amarzo
Bottle-Bowl; design and production: Amarzo || photo: courtesy of Amarzo

Exclusively cold glassworking techniques

At the studio, they use only cold glassworking techniques, which consume minimal energy and eliminate all waste as everything is transformed into new products. The basic process for working with a used wine bottle involves four steps: cutting, grinding, sanding, and polishing. All of these are done by hand, resulting in pieces with either a matte or glossy finish.

In both cases, the bottle is cut with a diamond saw, but the subsequent steps differ depending on the desired finish. Matte glass results from three separate grinding processes – on the inner, front, and outer surface of the cut bottle. For glossy glass, these surfaces are quickly sanded with sandpaper and then polished using felt pads soaked in water, volcanic stone paste, and cerium. In Luigi and Cristiano’s words, the matte finish gives the pieces a handcrafted look, perfect for rustic settings, while the glossy finish is ideal for modern and elegant interiors.

Eco food spoons; design and production: Amarzo || Photo: courtesy of Amarzo
Eko držač čačkalica; dizajn i proizvodnja: atelje Amarzo II fotografija: ljubaznošću ateljea Amarzo
Eco toothpick holder; design and production: Amarzo || Photo: courtesy of Amarzo

At present, we design and craft all our products in-house. We enjoy starting with a bottle as a raw material and experimenting with shapes and functions that highlight the uniqueness of each piece. In the future, we hope to collaborate with other designers, which would further enrich our collection.

– Luigi Taglialavore and Cristiano Lozzi, for Creative Glass Serbia, 2025

New sustainability standards drive demand

Demand for Amarzo’s products is significant. Restaurants, in particular, are increasingly seeking, sometimes even required to adopt more environmentally responsible practices. There is also a growing number of individual customers who furnish their homes consciously and enjoy giving gifts that spark meaningful conversations among friends, family, and colleagues.
Višenamenske posude od vinskih boca II fotografija ljubaznošću ateljea Amarzo
Tray made of a used wine bottle; design and production: Amarzo || Photo: courtesy of Amarzo
Although Amarzo’s products made from wine bottles may seem deceptively simple, and there are other studios in Europe creating similar items, their unique value comes from thoughtful design, handcrafting with traditional machinery, and a strong local focus, helping reduce glass waste in their community. Since each creation starts with a bottle as the predetermined form, designing new products is a huge challenge. Most producers begin with a small range of simple glasses, vases, and trays, but only those who engage in close collaboration with clients achieve truly original pieces.
Vassoio | Bottiglia di vino schiacciata; dizajn i proizvodnja: atelje Amarzo II fotografija: ljubaznošću ateljea Amarzo
Vassoio | Bottiglia di vino schiacciata; design and production: Amarzo || Photo: courtesy of Amarzo

Localization matters

When it comes to localisation, Amarzo cleverly emphasises the Made in Italy label – all the wine bottles they upcycle are produced in Italy. Under the slogan Let’s reuse, Made in Italy, the studio not only promotes local pride and supports the national economy but also captures the imagination of the world, appealing to those who long for the sweetness of the Italian lifestyle – La dolce vita!

Thanks to everyone who has purchased products or otherwise supported Amarzo since 2020, the total production of glass items has saved approximately 20,000 litres of fuel and reduced the use of hundreds of kilograms of sand and silica. That way, this small studio, with just five employees, has prevented around 20 tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere. Luigi and Cristiano deeply respect their customers, as well as everyone who supports their work. They are already planning ways to express their gratitude when they celebrate the studio’s first decade of operation in 2030.

In five years, when we celebrate our first decade of work, we hope Amarzo will be recognised across Europe as a brand known for the creative transformation of glass. In the meantime, we aim to grow by introducing new products and strengthening our presence in the HoReCa sector. For our tenth anniversary, we dream of organising an exhibition or a unique celebratory event in Tuscany to thank all the people who have believed in our endeavour.

– Luigi Taglialavore and Cristiano Lozzi, za Creative Glass Serbia, 2025

Tray made of a wine bottle; design and production: Amarzo || Photo: courtesy of Amarzo

For those who don’t speak Italian, the studio’s name – Amarzo – may easily evoke the familiar word for love, amare, which naturally fosters a sense of attachment to the brand. For Italians, Italianists, and Italophiles, the name conveys a clearer, more precise message because a marzo in Italian means in March. Therefore, Amarzo is a clever play on words, symbolically pointing to spring, new beginnings, and renewal, perfectly resonating with the upcycling process and the new life given to discarded wine bottles.

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