If you love fashion, there are some fashion houses you simply must know. Many of those fashion houses are headquartered in Italy, whether in Milan, Rome or Florence. There is no excuse for not knowing these seven Italian fashion clothing brands, especially since we have written this handy guide for you!
Giorgio Armani
Giorgio Armani – Silk Dress With Gathered Detailing – $ 1,795
Giorgio Armani founded Emporio Armani in 1975 after spending years as a menswear designer for Hitman. Armani started his own menswear company, and added women’s fashions the next year. In the over 40 years since, Armani’s brand has grown into a luxury behemouth. It spans sub-labels like Giorgio Armani Privé, Giorgio Armani, Armani Collezioni, Emporio Armani (including EA7), AJ | Armani Jeans, Armani Junior, and AX | Armani Exchange. This Italian clothing brand creates quality, timeless clothing ranging from black tie tuxedos and red carpet gowns to stunning ready-to-wear pieces. The Armani brand is synonymous with luxury.
Gucci
Gucci – Signature large shoulder bag – $ 2,600
Influential, innovative and progressive, Gucci is reinventing a wholly modern approach to fashion. Under the new vision of creative director Alessandro Michele, the House has redefined luxury for the 21st century, further reinforcing its position as one of the world’s most desirable fashion houses. Eclectic, contemporary, romantic—Gucci products represent the pinnacle of Italian craftsmanship and are unsurpassed for their quality and attention to detail.
Gucci was founded by Guccio Gucci in the early 1920s. The brand initially existed as a shop selling high-quality leather goods. By the 1950s, Gucci luggage was a status symbol of the jet setting crowd. Today the fashion house creates designer bags and other leather pieces, as well as eye catching clothing, jewelry, watches and home decor.
Dolce & Gabbana
Dolce & Gabbana – Large Devotion Bag in Quilted Nappa Leather – $2,195
Relative newcomers to the Italian fashion scene, Italian designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana founded their iconic fashion house in 1985. They presented their first women’s collection called “Real Women” in 1986. From there the pair of designers grew the company into a massive luxury brand offering clothing, fragrances, and more. The iconic Italian clothing brand is heavily influenced by the local culture and style.
Versace
Versace – Medusa Stud Ankle Strap Pumps – $1,675
Founded in 1978 in Milan, Gianni Versace SpA is one of the leading international fashion design houses and a symbol of Italian luxury world-wide. It designs, manufactures, distributes and retails fashion and lifestyle products including haute couture, prèt-à-porter, accessories, jewellery, watches, eyewear, fragrances, and home furnishings all bearing the distinctive Medusa logo.
Fashion lovers are well acquainted with the bright colors and bold patterns of Versace clothing. Gianni Versace’s rock and roll aesthetic translated into business designing for musicians like Elton John and Michael Jackson. Donatella Versace has been Artistic Director of Versace since the 1997 death of her brother Gianni. The influential fashion house is flourishing and growing under her care.
Moncler
Founded in 1952 in Monestier-de-Clermont, Grenoble, France, Moncler is now located in Italy. Over the course of the years the brand has merged style with ongoing technological research, which harnesses the knowledge of mountaineering experts. Moncler collections combine extreme needs with day-to-day city life.
Italian apparel and lifestyle brand Moncler is well-known for luxury sportswear. Many do not realize initially that this is an Italian fashion brand. The brand initially produced sleeping bags and tents before adding quilted jackets and other gear into the mix. Today, those looking for the highest quality ski gear head to Moncler.
Prada
What began as a simple leather goods shop run by two brothers has become a huge name in the world of fashion. The brand produces luxury fashion, perfume, watches, and even phones. In 2017, Prada took the helm from Louis Vuitton and will be the hosting sponsor of Challenger Selection Series at the 2021 America’s Cup.
Valentino
Valentino – Polka Dot Rockstud Courts – $1,045
The Maison Valentino plays a major role in the luxury division through tradition and innovation, a necessary combination for a creative industry that generates the sense of beauty.
Valentino’s fashion is displayed through the Haute Couture and Prêt-à-Porter lines for women and for men and through the Valentino Garavani accessories lines that include shoes, bags, small leather goods, eyewear, scarves, ties and fragrances.
Founded in the ’60s by Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti, the fashion house has clothed such icons as Jacqueline Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor and Princess Margaret. Garavani helmed the brand until his retirement in 2007.
So, which of these Italian fashion brands is your favorite? Will you be adding any of these pieces to your closet?
