Italy’s fashion story stretches from Renaissance workshops to the great houses of Milan and Rome.
Early beginnings
Between the eleventh and sixteenth centuries, cities such as Venice, Milan, Florence and Rome produced luxury textiles, jewellery and elaborate dresses, with the Medici family of Florence as major patrons. France later became Europe’s main trendsetter, until Italy reclaimed attention in the twentieth century.
The Florence shows
In 1951 Giovanni Battista Giorgini held a private show at his villa in Florence. On 24 July 1952 a full show was staged in the Sala Bianca of the Palazzo Pitti, often considered the first contemporary Italian fashion show.
Milan, Rome and today
Milan took the lead in the 1970s and 1980s with Giorgio Armani, Gianni Versace, Krizia and Missoni, while Rome rose in the 1980s through Valentino and Fendi. Milan is counted among the big four fashion capitals and holds its fashion week twice a year. Well-known houses include Prada, Gucci, Max Mara, Bottega Veneta and Ferragamo.
Sources: Wikipedia: Italian fashion.
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