The historic Acca Kappa brand has arrived in Venice, though, in truth, it should be called a fortunate return. The two letters are, in fact, the initials of its founder, Hermann Krüll, who arrived in the lagoon city as a student, fell in love with it, and began trading bristles with the East. In 1869, he opened a small factory to produce brushes for horses and other uses.

Incredibly, that factory still exists today at 21 Via Luzzatti in Treviso, and a visit (currently open for special events) is enough to appreciate the extraordinary quality of its products and the high degree of “hand-manufacturing romance” it embodies.

Even today, more than 150 years later, we pursue the same ideal of timeless elegance, faithful to Hermann Krüll’s vision.

(Elisa and Virginia Gera-Krüll)

Beyond the grand entrance arch, inscribed with the initials of founder Acca Kappa, visitors are greeted by a majestic magnolia tree in the center of a courtyard flanked by small brick buildings with large windows. Here, as in 1869, artisans still work according to ancient methods.

From woodworking to polishing to punching, thanks to the know-how and original tools of the past, cult products come to life, such as the Infinito brush, one of the brand’s icons, made in a limited edition of 750 pieces, with an Italian walnut handle, natural bristles, and hornbeam pins.

In Venice, in its new boutique, in addition to the famous hair brushes, you can also purchase all other Acca Kappa products, inspired by turn-of-the-century vanity cabinets: from shaving brushes to toothbrushes with precious bristles, from body and hair products to fragrances inspired by the scents of Italian gardens: bergamot, jasmine, white musk, rose, figs, and lemons.

Four generations later, the same family is still at the helm of Acca Kappa, and today it is Hermann’s great-granddaughter, Elisa Gera-Krüll, and her daughter Virginia, who have transformed the company into one of the most renowned “beauty factories” in the world and created new iconic products such as Dolce Treviso, the best-selling perfume inspired by the famous Treviso dessert, Tiramisu.

Acca Kappa products, thanks to their history and craftsmanship, have been exhibited as symbols of Made in Italy, for example at the Design Museum in London, and used in artistic performances, such as the sorghum brooms that Acca Kappa made until World War II, used by Frenchman Michel Blazy for his installation at the Venice Biennale.

Objects that every lady and gentleman should have in their dressing table.

The Secret

After Treviso, Hermann Krüll opened a factory in via Forte Marghera projected by the famous Giovanni Sardi, who also designed the Hotel Excelsior on the Lido and the Baüer-Grunwald in Venice and, still under investigation, also the Treviso factory.

Useful Info

Acca Kappa Venezia
Calle del Teatro o de la Commedia 4606/B
30124 Venezia
Tel. +39 041 243 3512

Acca Kappa HQ
H. Krüll & C. S.p.A.
Viale Luzzatti 21
31100 Treviso
Tel. + 39 0422 359600

Online store