Since Arturo Carbonell set up Abanicos Carbonell in 1860, one thing has never changed: their passion for making every one of their fans into a work of art. Abanicos Carbonell is the oldest manufacturer of fans in the Comunidad Valenciana, and each one of them is handmade in the region. Three women lead the atelier and shop: Paula, Arturo’s great-great-grandaughter, painting the materials; her mother, Asunción Elorza, as the manager; and Inmaculada Cases, working on fabrics and ribs.
Whether they are classic or avant-garde designs, they conceive fans as high quality artisan pieces, symbols of a deeply rooted regional tradition. However, they have gained a reputation away from their region too, exporting their pieces to France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Colombia, or the Philippines, among other countries. The worlds of art and fashion have fallen in love with Carbonell’s work too. They have partnered with museums and brands such as Loewe. Their creations can be seen also in several period films.