L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2026 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano 2 C h i c . E l e g a n c e m a d e w e a r a b l e . T h a t i s w h o V a l e n t i n o w a s . Alongside Armani, Versace, Fendi, and also Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Gucci, and many others, he helped shape a style without equal, one that placed Italy at the very top of the global fashion world. The number of Italian designers walking international runways today is so vast that it is easy to lose track of a name, a signature, a particular sensibility. Some defined an era, others achieved spectacular interna- tional success, some remained at the forefront longer than others, some set the standard, and some created a garment or an accessory that would never again leave the list of must- haves. Beyond personal taste, the experience of wearing a piece of "quiet luxury" cashmere by Brunello Cucinelli, rather than an irreverent, ironic Moschino creation, is worlds apart from an outfit thrown together from one's own wardrobe. From Fer- ragamo to Ferrè, Cavalli to Missoni, Biagiotti to Krizia, Trussardi to Balestra, Capucci to Lancetti, Gattinoni to Cer- The Great Beauty of Italy's "Fashion Team" From the Editor ruti, Chiuri to Fiorucci, Rocco Barocco to Mila Schön, Rosso to Coveri, Gigli to Mattiolo, the list of Italian designers seems to stretch far beyond memory itself. And that observa- tion leads straight to the point: when we talk about fashion, we should really be talking about a "Team Italy." A team, first of all, in terms of names: there are countless creatives, each with distinct traits and visions, and alongside the established giants stands a fleet of younger talents eager to claim their place. But also a team in terms of production: fashion is a pillar of the Italian economy, in both enterprise and turnover. It is driven not only by luxury brands, but by the high level of craftsmanship that distinguishes Italy's major fashion houses. Behind every label lies a workforce of exceptional skill and technical sophistication, capable of pro- ducing true added value – value rooted in know-how and expertise that have few rivals. This concentration of skills sustains nearly 80 percent of fashion companies: small and medium-sized enterprises that enrich garments with high- end sartorial elements and generate a significant share of national exports, particularly to extra-European markets such as Asia and the Middle East. Despite the current challenges facing the market – US tar- iffs slowing demand and Asian competition weighing on exports – recent estimates suggest that Italy's fashion sector is resilient and gradually emerging from a recessionary phase. This resilience, however, is built on scale: the indus- try's consolidated turnover still stands at $100.3 billion. At the same time, uncertainty remains, along with the relentless churn of trends, the ultra-fast consumption that prioritizes quantity over quality and authenticity. In this frantic land- scape, a renewed appreciation for sartorial value and a return to the roots of craftsmanship are beginning to coun- terbalance the dominance of fast fashion. Supporting this shift are the artisanal supply chains, fun- damental to Made in Italy and historically at the core of every major production line. They certainly require protec- tion and recognition to preserve the system's quality and durability, but no certification will ever outweigh manual skill and creative ability. The real guarantee of success in global markets lies in meticulous attention to detail, innova- tion, and the expertise of the petite mains, the seamstresses and embroiderers who cut, stitch, and physically transform sketches into garments. Without their work, both artisanal and artistic, many ideas would remain on paper or in the imaginations of designers. Bringing a creation to life requires their specialized skills in embroidery, pattern-making, cutting, and sewing, but above all their steady hands, aesthetic sensibility, and accu- mulated knowledge. They adapt the design to the body, mak- ing fit one of the most practical yet most creative aspects of couture: finding the right solution for each garment, the right fit for each body, the right look for each personality. This is an art that is anything but obvious. Custom-made garments are not simply items to be worn; they are designed to enhance the figure, reflect individual style, and become an extension of the person who wears them. Of course, not all designers move beyond the, albeit magi- cal, touch of the pencil with the same level of savoir-faire. Gwyneth Paltrow, speaking about Valentino, recalled a qual- ity many cited in their tributes. "He always spoke about the woman beneath the dress, about her qualities and her grace. He understood us," the actress said at the 2023 Fashion Awards, which honored Valentino's career. "And that is what made him an extraordinary businessman, a visionary, and above all, a friend." Simone Schiavinato, Editor Simone Schiavinato NEWS & FEATURES TOP STORIES PEOPLE EVENTS P.O.BOX 6528, ALTADENA, CA 91003 Member of FUSIE (Federazione Unitaria Stampa Italianaall'Estero), COGITO L'Italo-Americano Please send correspondence to P.O. Box 40156 Pasadena CA 91114 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano Newspaper (a 501(c)(3) non- profit organization), www.italoamericano.org, is the largest and longest-running Italian news- paper in America, not to mention the cultural and news resource for all things Italian in the US. A bilingual newspaper which represents an historical landmark for the Italian American Communities in the West Coast and throughout the US. L'Italo-Americano benefits from subsidies by the Italian Government, Memberships and Donations intended to support and not interrupt a mission that began in 1908 to preserve and promote the Italian language and culture in the USA Periodicals postage paid at Monrovia, California 91016, and additional mailing offices. PUBLISHER Robert Barbera Grande Ufficiale EDITOR IN CHIEF Simone Schiavinato ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER Patrick Abbate EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Barbara Minafra COPY EDITOR Francesca Bezzone LOS ANGELES CONTRIBUTOR Silvia Nittoli SAN FRANCISCO CONTRIBUTOR Serena Perfetto SEATTLE CONTRIBUTOR Rita Cipalla CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mariella Radaelli, Matt Walker, Francesca Bezzone, Luca Ferrari, Stefano Carnevali, Paula Reynolds, Teresa Di Fresco Nicoletta Curradi, Generoso D'Agnese, Jessica S. Levy, Fabrizio Del Bimbo, Maria Gloria, Chuck Pecoraro, Anthony Di Renzo Serena Perfetto, Kenneth Scambray, Chiara D'Alessio, Luca Signorini, Giulia Franceschini © 2025 L'Italo-Americano Membership: One year $59 - Single copy $2.25 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to L'Italo Americano P.O. Box 40156 Pasadena CA 91114

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