Whether you are mad about fashion or fashion-challenged, you would certainly have heard about Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Versace, Giorgio Armani, and Zegna – these powerful Italian fashion houses have been setting the fashion trends for decades. Italian fashion is the strongest competitor of French couture, and can give fashion originating from any other part of the world a run for its money.
In terms of sheer style, innovation, creativity and use of diverse materials, the Italian fashion industry rules the world of fashion. In Italy fashion is not for the rich and the elite alone, it is a way of life for even the common people. Italy is the cradle where the prêt- a-porter line originated in response to the need to make sure that affordable fashion was available for the masses. In fact, fashion in Italy got kick started in the middle of the twentieth century with a fashion show organized for the elite. Since then, Italian fashion has evolved into an industry that has great influence on this industry in other regions.
Men or women alike, the Italian fashion industry has products to suit all regardless of the budget and size considerations. Fashion is not limited to clothes alone; accessories such as bags, gloves, jewelry and shoes also are a part of the ‘Made In Italy’ mystique. Fendi, Gucci and Ferragamo are world-renowned names in fashion accessories. Italian textiles of high quality also contribute to the success of the various clothing lines originating from the fashion houses.
Milan, the city where the Italian fashion industry is based, is home to the Milan Fashion Week – the Mecca of designers worldwide. The Milan fashion week is one of the big four – the other three being the London, New York and Paris fashion weeks. The bi-annual event is a meeting ground for designers, buyers, retailers, models, celebrities and the fashion press. Retailers normally get an opportunity to negotiate with the designers so that their creations can be mass produced for release at retail outlets. Italy has been recognized as the fashion capital of the world in the recent times and is showing the fashion-conscious of the world the way when it comes to being hip, be it clothing, accessories, swim wear or lingerie.
So, if you want to be abreast of the latest trends in fashion, all you have to do is go to Italy and walk down the Via Montenapoleone or visit the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele and feast your eyes on the finest products that the world of fashion has to offer.