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Italian Designers |
For Italians, fashion is an instrument of social redemption whereby class is determined according to what one wears. The birth of Italian fashion can be traced back to 1951, when the first Italian fashion show was held in Florence by Count Giorgini. With the birth of a new fashion capital in Milan, taking its rightful place alongside London, Paris and New York, Italian elegance spread all over the world. Since then, Italian houses have confirmed their leadership on the international fashion scene and sales of Italian products have continued to rise.
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Giorgio Armani
Giorgio Armani believes that style is the only luxury anyone can afford with or without money. His dresses have been worn by all the stars of Hollywood, from Sean Connery to Russell Crowe, from Kim Basinger to Liv Tyler. Giorgio Armani was born in 1934 and was originally a student of science. Armani launched his career as a window dresser at a large Milanese department store; called La Rinascente. Between 1960 and 1970 he worked as a freelance designer and also made designs for the house of Nino Cerruti.
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In 1974, with his partner Sergei Galeotti, Armani launched Giorgio Armani S.p.A. Since then, Armani has designed and sold Giorgio Armani Menswear, Womenswear, Childrenswear, Underwear, Swimwear, Accessories and cheaper diffusion lines, Emporio Armani and Armani Jeans. His clean tailored clothing has always been well accepted. In 2000, Giorgio Armani was declared by Forbes magazine to be the world's most successful designer.
Roberto Cavalli
Roberto Cavalli was born in 1940 and when he was 17 years old, he enrolled as a student at the Institute of Art of Florence and specialized in textile applications of paint. Known for his originality, Cavalli became famous for his exclusive floral motifs on knitwear and experimented with new technologies to create unique materials. At the age of 30, he presented his first collection at the Salon for Prêt-à-Porter and the rest is history! His successful collections were featured in Florence and Milan. Cavalli's leather patchwork and prints on denim and ornate decorations using precious metals in brocades and reptile and animal prints are highly sought after. His clientele include Lenny Kravitz, Britney Spears, Alicia Keyes, Jennifer Lopez and Beyoncè Knowles. Apart from launching his clothesline, perfumes, accessories and an interior design line for the home, Cavalli opened a café boutique called the Giacosa Cafè in Florence in 2002.
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Dolce & Gabbana
Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana met in 1980 at an atelier in Venice where they were both working. Two years later, they started out as freelance designers but did business together. In 1986, their first collection hit the runway and became an instant success. In 1990, they launched the Dolce & Gabbana menswear collection and opened a women's boutique in Milan. Their boutiques are also located in London, New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Paris.
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Dolce and Gabbana have two separate lines for clothing -
D&G which offers casual wear at slightly cheaper prices while Dolce & Gabbana is a luxury brand, which offers expensive clothes. The brands include beachwear, underwear, eyewear and fragrances. The D&G carries jewelery and timepieces as well. D&G Junior is for children. The Dolce & Gabanna style is timeless and stands for an unconventional luxury. Clients include Madonna, Angelina Jolie and Kylie Minogue amongst others.
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Gucci
Guccio Gucci first started his enterprise in Florence in 1921. At the time it was just a leather goods company and luggage store. Gucci had worked in London's Savoy Hotel where he was highly impressed and influenced by the refined aesthetics of English nobility and introduced the same through his exclusive produce of leather goods created by Tuscan craftsmen. In the 1940s, Gucci introduced the Bamboo Bag, which became very popular and to this day remains a favorite of the rich and famous. Since that time, Gucci bags became a great success and were sought after by royalty and celebrity alike. Gucci became a symbol of modern luxury and from Jackie Kennedy and Peter Sellers to Lady Diana and Liz Tyler - all have worn the exquisite Gucci bag. Gucci's famous collections include bags, gloves, watches, scarves, wallets, belts, ties, hats, shoes, eyewear, jewellery, pens and pencils. Gucci also has shoes for babies.
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Valentino
Born in 1932, Valentino Garavani, at the age of 17, joined the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris and later Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne where he studied fashion. After a few years of apprenticeship in the Fashion Houses of Jean Desses and Guy Laroche, Valentino returned to Rome at the beginning of the 1960s to open his own atelier in Via Condotti. Valentino's international debut took place in 1962 in Florence and his collection became successful.
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Five years later his White Collection with winning "V" logo, made him the unrivaled king of fashion. In 1972 he launched his ready-to-wear collections for men and women and established boutiques in Rome and Milan, U.S.A and Japan. Jackie Onassis's wedding dress designed by Valentino made the covers of international magazines. His clientele includes Elizabeth Taylor, Julia Roberts, Penelope Cruz and Jennifer Lopez among others. Valentino also sells accessories, eyewear and perfumes.
Versace
Born in 1946, Gianni Versace did an apprenticeship in his mother's dressmaking business and became a freelance designer at the age of 25. While he was freelancing, he designed ready to wear collection for top fashion houses of the time in Italy. Gianni founded the Gianni Versace Company in 1978 along with his brother Santo and the same year he showed his first women's collection in Milan. His bold contemporary style, fine distinct cuts and vibrant prints set him apart from other designers and earned him the Golden Eye Awards, Cutty Sark Award and the American Fashion Oscar in1993. A year later his brilliant career came to an end as he passed away. After his death, his younger sister Donatella Versace became the head of the company. The Versace logo and brand is world-renowned and its clientele includes Michael Jackson, Madonna, Elizabeth Hurley, Demi Moore, Britney Spears and Halle Berry.
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Ermenegildo Zegna
Ermenegildo Zegna specializes in men's clothing. The company was founded in 1910 in Trivero, Italy, by tailor and entrepreneur Ermenegildo Zegna who had gained a reputation for producing fine quality wool suits for men. In 1942 the company's name changed to Ermenegildo Zegna & Sons. The Zegna suits were so expensive that in 1938, only a limited collection could be sold in United States. After the death of Ermenegildo, his sons took over the company and launched a line of ready-made suits. Though Zegna has factories in Italy, Spain, Turkey, Switzerland and Mexico, the most expensive Zegna suits are made-to-measure. Zegna stores are located in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Far East, Middle East, North America and South America. Zegna brand is a world leader in men's fine clothing. The Zegna collection includes business suits, overcoats, shirts, knitwear, sportswear, shoes, belts, leather products, ties, cufflinks and scarves. Zegna suits are as expensive as Versace and Armani.
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