Italy news and archive

Uniqlo to enter Italian market in 2019

Casual apparel brand Uniqlo is set to continue its European expansion by adding Italy to its retail portfolio in 2019. Fast Retailing, the Japanese company which owns the brand, has issued a statement revealing its plans to open the first Uniqlo shop in Italy next fall, to be located in Piazza Cordusio, a square in the heart of Milan. “We are...

News

LVMH Métiers d'Excellence partners with Polimoda, Italy

Polimoda, the leading Italian fashion school has partnered with LVMH Institut des Métiers d’Excellence, School of Master Craftsmen & Artisans and will support the the school’s expansion to Italy. The IME will offer training of leather goods craftsmanship at Polimoda and additional courses at Palazzo Pucci, the IME’s Italian headquarters, as well...

Fashion Featured

Italy's hatmaker to the stars looks to roots for revival

From Humphrey Bogart's fedora in "Casablanca" to Harrison Ford's lucky headgear in the Indiana Jones series, Italy's Borsalino has been credited with producing some of the coolest hats in history. Michael Jackson loved them, trend-setting music star Pharrel Williams is a contemporary fan and David Bowie opted for one of the Italian company's...

Fashion

Italy's Fendi sets up home in fascist folly

Luxury fashion company Fendi on Thursday unveiled its new headquarters in a long-abandoned, now renovated architectural folly created by the WWII fascist leader Benito Mussolini in Rome. The building, known by Italians as the Square Colosseum but officially entitled the Palace of Italian Civilsation, was built by Mussolini as the centrepiece of...

Fashion

Italy invests 20 million euro in fashion plan for US

Apparently, Italy had has its eye on America for a while. The country recently unveiled a new 20 million euro fashion plan that involves the US. The “special fashion plan” was announced by Carlo Calenda, Italian deputy minister for economic development. At the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan last Monday, the NY Times reports that...

People

President of Italian Fashion Chamber steps down

Mario Boselli, the president of the Italian Fashion Chamber, is to step down this April. Boselli, who has held the position since 1999, has not yet been succeeded as the chamber continues its search for his replacement. During his lengthy fashion career, Boselli forged close cooperation with international fashion associations, most notable the...

Fashion

Prato factory deaths highlight Chinese takeover

The city of Prato, one of Italy's most important textile hubs, has arrested five individuals that are linked to the factory fire that killed seven workers last December. After a three month investigation, the arrests comprise three Chinese factory operators and two Italian. All are charged with manslaughter and exploiting illegal labour....

Apparel

Brunello Cucinelli ends 2012 on high note

Italian cashmere company Brunello Cucinelli ended 2012 on a high note. The company, who went public last April, saw a near 50 percent increase in its share value the day it went listed. The brand has since reported consistent sales growth, which for the first nine months were 220.2 million euro in revenue. The company sites its international...