FREYWILLE
TypePrivately held, GmbH
IndustryFashion
Founded1951
FounderMichaela Frey
HeadquartersGumpendorferstraße 81, A-1060,
Vienna
,
Austria
Area served
Worldwide
ProductsJewellery and fashion accessory
Number of employees
~500
Websiteshop.freywille.com

Frey Wille GmbH & Co KG, originally branded as "Michaela Frey Emailmanufaktur", now known as FREYWILLE, is an enamel jewellery manufacturer based in Vienna, Austria founded in 1951 by designer Michaela Frey. The label is known for its hand-decorated designs that are based on the works of 19th- and 20th-century artists,[1] and for producing the world's finest fire enamel jewellery.

History

The original Michaela Frey style of enamel ornamentation and fire enamel techniques was created in the 1960s by Viennese designer and company founder Michaela Frey, who refined the technique of fine enameling over several decades and ran a workshop dedicated to enamel jewellery and objets d'art. Frey died in the 1970s, at which point the company was taken over by her accountant, Dr. Friedrich Wille (Doctor of Law), who embarked on a period of expansion.

Current operations

By 2010, FREYWILLE operated 200+ boutiques worldwide. By 2022, the company had 42 boutiques, mostly in Eastern Europe, and had engaged re-sellers.[2][3] The company has its factory and offices in one building in central Vienna.[4]

Product range

All FREYWILLE pieces are hand-made in Vienna. Until around 2010, under contract, FREYWILLE produced the enamel jewellery for Hermès. Its scarves are designed in Vienna and made in Italy; its watches are made in Switzerland and set with enamel pieces in Vienna. And until around 2014, FREYWILLE offered handbags, also made in Italy, which cost as much as US$5,000. The company also sells watches and Swiss-made writing instruments. By 2022, FREYWILLE had discontinued its men's line; consisted of watches, rings, belts, ties and writing instruments.

Designs

Adele Bloch-Bauer I, which sold for a record $135 million in 2006. Neue Galerie New York.

FREYWILLE designs use colorful motifs and the infusion of 24k gold. They are either designed with ideas from the company's artists, such as the "Ode to Joy of Life" collection,[5] or by using motifs from mythology, such as the Egyptian collection, or based on the works of influential artists.

In the 1990s the Fondation Monet in Giverny approached the company and asked them to create a collection inspired by Monet. Soon after, a collection was created for the Victoria and Albert Museum based on works by William Morris.[6] Collections have also been created based on the works of Gustav Klimt, Friedensreich Hundertwasser, Alphonse Mucha, Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gauguin.

References

  1. ↑ "About Frey Wille". free-wille.com. Retrieved 28 November 2011.
  2. ↑ "Find Boutiques". freywille.com. Freywille. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  3. ↑ "FreyWille opens its first boutique in Sofia". Advantage Austria. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
  4. ↑ Frey Wille – Dubai, Jewellery Dubai, retrieved 30 November 2011
  5. ↑ Ode to Joy of Life at FreeWille
  6. ↑ "An Interview with Dr. Friedrich Wille". leadermag. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
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