Luigi Castiglioni

Professional training, career
A musicologist by training and initially a self-taught bookbinder, Luigi perfected his skills with renowned maestros before teaching abroad and then later in his own atelier in Rimini.
He studied in depth all the phases of creating an art binding with important European masters: starting with a full program in Ascona under the Master Edwin Heim, than Jean Luc Honegger (Switzerland), Hélène Jolis (France), Carlos-Sanchez Àlamo (Spain), Julian Thomas (England).

Current position
He founded his studio Legatoria Anonima Amanvensis in 1999.
The genuineness of his vocation and the originality of his decorations combined with the versatility of his technique make him one of the most prolific creators of contemporary bookbinding.

Area of Speciality
He has dedicated himself exclusively to the creation of original fine bindings since 2005. Luigi Castiglioni has captured the art of French traditional bookbinding in his creations. The base technique which he uses is in fact the binding sewn on five strings, with an original decoration complete with chemise and étui.

Further information
- In 2006 he gave a seminar on a decorative leather technique called 'embedded mosaic' at a training seminar run by the Society of Bookbinding at Loughborough University.
- In 2016, he taught at the America Academy of Bookbinding (Telluride, Colorado) and delivered two lectures on “French Binding Techniques” at the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington and at the North Bennet Street School in Boston.
- He has regularly participated in the exhibition of original bookbindings Éphémère organized by Les Amis de la Reliure Originale (ARO) in Paris since 2018.
- In 2020 Luigi Castiglioni was awarded the title of Master of Arts and Crafts, a title created by the Cologni Foundation to identify and celebrate the most talented Italian artisans.
- In 2021 Luigi Castiglioni was also included in the Homo Faber Guide, the signature project developed by the Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship.