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10 Lesser Known Italian Fashion Brands You Should Know

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Posted on December 22, 2024
Dec 22 2024

10 Lesser Known Italian Fashion Brands You Should Know

Italy is famous for its fashion, but few know about its hidden gems. Only 5 out of 13 lesser-known brands started in the 1950s. This shows Italy’s rich fashion history and heritage.

From Premiata, founded in 1885, to KNT in 2018, these brands mix old elegance with new style. They offer something special for those who love fashion.

Italy’s fashion scene has hidden treasures like Cesare Attolini and Isaia & Isaia. They go back to the 1930s and 1920s. These brands are all about quality and style, with years of experience.

Fefè Glamour Pochette, starting in 2011, brings a fresh touch to scarves and pocket squares. It’s a newer brand but still offers unique items.

Kired, founded in 1986, is all about modern tailoring. Santoni, from 1975, is known for luxury shoes. These brands show Italy’s skill in making stylish, lasting products.

From classic suits to cool accessories, these brands have something for everyone. They mix timeless elegance with Italian flair.

Key Takeaways

  • Discover 13 lesser-known Italian fashion brands that offer exceptional quality and unique style
  • Explore the rich history of Italian fashion, with brands tracing back to the 1920s and 1930s
  • Find a blend of timeless elegance and modern style in these hidden gems of Italy’s fashion industry
  • Delve into the world of sartorial fashion, luxury shoemaking, and trendy accessories
  • Experience the longstanding expertise of Italian fashion brands in creating high-quality, stylish products

The Rich History of Italian Fashion

Italian fashion has a long and rich history, starting in the Renaissance era. Cities like Venice, Florence, Rome, and Milan were famous for their beautiful textiles. These included silk, wool, and velvet, made by skilled artisans.

Wealthy people and powerful families, like the Medici, loved these materials. They made local dressmakers famous.

Renaissance Era: The Birth of Italian Fashion

The Renaissance was a key time for Italian fashion. Artists like Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci inspired the styles. Women wore full skirts and fitted tops, with a focus on the waist.

They often wore five layers of clothes every day. Men wore fitted waistcoats and wide, puffy sleeves. They also wore hose or tights to show off their lower bodies.

Post-World War II: The Rise of Italian Fashion Houses

After World War II, Italian fashion started to grow again. The 1950s and 1960s saw big names like Armani and Prada emerge. These brands updated their styles for the modern world.

In 1951, Gian Battista Giorgini held the first Italian fashion show for Americans. This showed the world that Italian fashion was ready-to-wear and came in many sizes. The Camera Nazionale della Moda was set up in 1958 to help Italy become a top fashion country.

Today, Italian fashion is still going strong. Designers like Giorgio Armani and Miuccia Prada are known worldwide. Gucci is the most valuable Italian fashion brand, worth €13.9 billion. Italian fashion’s history shows its lasting impact on style.

Barba Napoli: Classic Style with a Modern Twist

Founded in 1988 in Naples, Barba Napoli has been making high-quality shirts for over 30 years. This forward-thinking fashion company now offers suits, shoes, and ties. They keep their focus on classic style but with a modern twist.

The 2025 collection from Barba Napoli combines timeless elegance with modern design. It features a wide range of colours and patterns. Each shirt is handcrafted with 6-7 stitches per cm, ensuring it lasts long and looks perfect.

The brand uses mother-of-pearl buttons, attached with the “chicken foot” technique. This shows their dedication to detail.

Barba Napoli‘s sartorial suits are made from top-quality fabrics. These include 100% cotton, cotton-linen blends, fine merino wool, and stretch materials. The collection has styles for all occasions, from formal to casual.

They offer regular, slim, and relaxed fits, plus made-to-measure services. This means they have sizes for everyone, no matter your body type.

As a forward-thinking fashion company, Barba Napoli keeps innovating while staying true to classic style. Their focus on quality and detail has won them many loyal customers. These men value the perfect mix of tradition and modernity in their wardrobes.

Cesare Attolini: Revolutionizing Italian Suit Styling

Cesare Attolini is a big name in sartorial fashion. It has a top rating of 95.2%. People love its material (96%), craftsmanship (94%), reputation (97%), and catalog (94%).

Vincenzo Attolini started a new way of thinking in the industry. He believed in suits that fit perfectly, like a second skin. This idea changed how people see comfort and style in suits.

The Attolini Brothers: Taking the Brand International

In the 1990s, the Attolini brothers took Cesare Attolini global. They went to Germany and Japan. Their unique style found fans there, helping the brand grow worldwide.

Cesare Attolini is famous for its deconstructed suits. These suits are slim and stylish. They show that suits can be both elegant and comfortable.

The book “Watching Pages, Reading Pictures: Cinema and Modern Literature in,” talks about Cesare Attolini’s big impact. It shows how the brand has influenced Italian culture, including books and movies.

Cesare Attolini keeps leading in the world of suits. It sets high standards in material, craftsmanship, and style. Its legacy inspires many in sartorial fashion.

FEFÈ GLAMOUR POCHETTE: Neapolitan Identity in Accessories

In the world of Italian fashion, FEFÈ GLAMOUR POCHETTE shines brightly. Founded in 2011, it brings together the best of Neapolitan style and Italian craftsmanship. It offers a variety of accessories that reflect the finest in Italian fashion.

FEFÈ GLAMOUR POCHETTE’s success comes from its dedication to the Made in Italy tradition. It uses top-quality materials and skilled artisans. This ensures each piece is a true representation of Italian fashion heritage.

From Clutch Bags to a Wide Range of Products

FEFÈ GLAMOUR POCHETTE started by updating the classic clutch bag with a Neapolitan twist. Its bold designs and colors quickly won fans. This led to a bigger range of products.

Now, FEFÈ GLAMOUR POCHETTE has a wide variety of accessories. These include:

  • Scarves
  • Ties
  • Bow ties
  • Bracelets
  • Backpacks

Each item is made with care to show the brand’s unique style. It mixes traditional elegance with modern trends. This way, FEFÈ GLAMOUR POCHETTE meets the diverse tastes of fashion lovers worldwide.

Expanding to International Markets

FEFÈ GLAMOUR POCHETTE’s accessories have won fans globally. Its focus on quality and innovation has built a loyal following. This is not just in Italy but also in places like the United States, Japan, and Russia.

As demand for pocket squares and other accessories grows, FEFÈ GLAMOUR POCHETTE stays true to its Neapolitan roots. It balances its heritage with new opportunities. This makes FEFÈ GLAMOUR POCHETTE a rising star in luxury fashion accessories.

Isaia & Isaia: A Family Enterprise Turned International Success

In Naples, Italy, a family business has become a big name in luxury menswear. Isaia & Isaia started in the 1920s as a small fabric store and workshop. Enrico Isaia’s love for Neapolitan tailoring turned into a global success story.

In 1957, Enrico and his brothers moved the business to Casalnuovo di Napoli. This town is famous for its tailoring skills. It helped Isaia & Isaia make top-quality clothes.

By the 1980s, Isaia & Isaia was known worldwide as a top Neapolitan tailoring house. Their unique style, blending classic and modern, drew fans from all over. This mix of old and new is what makes them stand out.

Now, Isaia & Isaia is a third-generation family business. They’re known for their craftsmanship and attention to detail. Their suits and sportswear show off the best of Italian fashion.

The brand keeps growing globally but stays true to its roots. The Isaia family’s love for making beautiful menswear is clear in every piece. With a focus on innovation and tradition, Isaia & Isaia is set to lead in luxury fashion.

Kiton: Among the First Sartorial Companies

In the world of Italian luxury fashion, Kiton is a top name. It was founded in 1968 by Ciro Paone. This Neapolitan brand is known for its high-quality, hand-tailored clothes.

Kiton focuses on making each piece perfect. They work with fabric mills to create special fibers and weaves. This ensures their suits are made from the best materials.

The Highest Quality Fabrics and Craftsmanship

Kiton’s 14-Micron fabric is a big hit. It’s a four-ply wool made from very fine fibers. They also use rare merino fibers to make lightweight wool.

Kiton is known for using the finest materials. They even make suits from 93 percent vicuña and 7 percent silk. These suits can cost up to $34,000.

Kiton also has master shirtmakers and cobblers in Naples. They make sure every detail is perfect. Their K50 collection is very exclusive, with only 50 suits made each year.

Kired: Modern Sartorial Tailoring with a Decisive Taste

Started in 1986, Kired is a part of the famous Kiton luxury fashion house. It has made a name for itself in Neapolitan tailoring. Kired mixes top-notch tailoring with fine fabrics for clothes that show off a modern, bold style.

Kired’s range includes coats, overcoats, and suits, all made with great care and a focus on modern tailoring. Its focus on quality and new ideas has helped it win fans worldwide. These customers love the mix of style and substance in Kired’s clothes.

Kired stands out by mixing modern tailoring with traditional Neapolitan skills. It uses high-quality fabrics and new designs to make clothes that are both classic and modern.

  • Functional coats and overcoats
  • Suits crafted with modern sartorial tailoring
  • Refined fabrics and attention to detail
  • Blend of Neapolitan craftsmanship and contemporary design

Kired is known for its bold style and dedication to quality in Italian fashion. As it keeps innovating, it will continue to draw in fashion lovers and experts.

Luigi Borrelli: Continuing the Artisan Tailoring Tradition

In Naples, Italy, Luigi Borrelli stands as a symbol of artisan tailoring. Founded in 1957 by Luigi Borrelli Sr., it has been making top-notch handmade clothing for years. They focus on shirts that highlight the best of Italian craftsmanship.

Luigi Borrelli learned from his mother, Anna Borrelli, the art of hand-sewing. This skill has been passed down through generations. Each piece is made with great care, ensuring a perfect fit and look.

Their shirts go through an eight-step hand process. Master embroiderers finish them using old tailoring techniques.

Expansion into a Wide Range of Handmade Products

Under Fabio Borrelli’s leadership, the company grew in 1997. Today, Luigi Borrelli offers a wide range of handmade clothing and accessories. All items proudly say “made in Italy,” showing their quality.

They make bespoke shirts, ties, suits, and more. These are for men who love style and perfection. The brand’s collections have many patterns, colors, and styles.

They use the finest materials. Borrelli’s designs are modern yet respect traditional tailoring. Being the official supplier to the Savoy Family, Luigi Borrelli remains a leader in high-end fashion.

Santoni: Perfecting the Art of Luxury Shoes

In the world of luxury shoes, Santoni is a standout name. This family-owned brand started in 1975. It aims to create the perfect shoes for those who love luxury.

With a focus on quality and craftsmanship, Santoni has become a well-known name worldwide. They are experts in luxury footwear.

Santoni’s workshop is huge, covering 15,000 square metres. It’s home to 700 skilled artisans who make about 2,000 shoes every day. Their commitment to quality is clear, with only 0.6% of products failing quality tests.

Evolution from Formal to Casual and Work-Friendly Shoes

At first, Santoni made only formal shoes. But now, they also offer casual shoes and work-friendly shoes. This change has helped them reach more people without losing their quality and craftsmanship.

The Easy collection is a great example of Santoni’s mix of comfort and style. These shoes are easy to slip on and off. They have a memory insole and thin, yet strong soles for natural movement.

Santoni sells their products in about 70 countries, with 82% going abroad. Despite being family-owned, they have a global presence. Each pair of shoes takes about a week to make, showing their attention to detail.

Santoni also cares about the environment. They don’t use chemical glues and use solar panels for energy. Their factory is almost 70% self-sufficient. They even have an Accademia dell’Eccellenza to teach young talent the art of making luxury shoes.

10 Lesser Known Italian Fashion Brands You Should Discover

Italy is famous for its top fashion brands, but there are hidden gems too. These brands offer unique styles and top-notch craftsmanship. They bring a fresh look to Italian fashion, from modern tailoring to luxury sneakers.

KNT: Kiton’s Sister Company Bringing Modern Tailoring

KNT, short for Kiton New Textures, is Kiton’s sister brand. Started in the 1980s, KNT adds a modern twist to classic tailoring. They use the finest yarns to make unique clothes that mix luxury with today’s style.

From sweaters to dress pants and coats, KNT has sophisticated pieces. These clothes show the beauty of modern tailoring.

Premiata: A Longline of Shoemaking Expertise

Premiata, from Italy’s Marche region since 1885, is known for shoemaking. They mix old-school craftsmanship with new designs. This results in luxury sneakers and work shoes that catch the eye.

Premiata focuses on quality and detail in every shoe. They offer classic and bold styles. This makes them perfect for those who want stylish and comfy shoes.

These lesser-known Italian fashion brands highlight the country’s rich history and fashion innovation. Exploring brands like KNT and Premiata lets fashion lovers find unique pieces. Whether you’re into modern tailoring or luxury sneakers, these brands have something special for you.

Conclusion

Italy’s lesser known fashion brands show off the country’s rich fashion history, top-notch quality, and distinct style. Brands like Barba Napoli and Cesare Attolini offer a glimpse into Italy’s diverse and skilled fashion world. FEFÈ GLAMOUR POCHETTE and Luigi Borrelli highlight the local traditions that shape Italian fashion.

Isaia & Isaia and Kiton have grown from family businesses to global names. Kired brings a fresh take to modern tailoring. Santoni excels in luxury shoes, moving from formal to casual styles. Brands like KNT and Premiata keep pushing the limits of Italian fashion.

Exploring these hidden gems uncovers the vastness of Italy’s fashion industry. From the Renaissance to post-World War II, Italy’s fashion has evolved. The 1490s and 1910s were key periods, shaping fashion trends and silhouettes. These brands keep Italy’s quality, style, and heritage leading in the global fashion world.

FAQ

Q: What are some lesser-known Italian clothing brands that offer cashmere products?

A: Some lesser-known Italian clothing brands that specialize in cashmere include Brioni, known for its luxury tailoring, and Loro Piana, which is synonymous with high-quality cashmere garments.

Q: How do lesser-known Italian fashion labels compare to well-known Italian brands?

A: Lesser-known Italian fashion labels often provide unique designs and high-quality craftsmanship that rival well-known Italian brands. These brands focus on traditional Italian techniques while bringing fresh perspectives to fashion design.

Q: Are there any Italian designer brands that focus on denim?

A: Yes, there are several Italian designer brands that focus on denim, including Diesel and Replay. These brands have a reputation for innovative denim fashion, combining traditional Italian quality with modern styles.

Q: What regions of Italy are known for producing luxury clothing brands?

A: Regions such as Lombardy, especially Milan, and Tuscany are known for producing luxury clothing brands. Milan is a hub for fashion design and hosts renowned events like Milan Fashion Week, showcasing both well-known and lesser-known brands.

Q: Can you name a lesser-known luxury Italian brand that specializes in tailoring?

A: One lesser-known luxury Italian brand that specializes in tailoring is Canali. They are recognized for their exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail in suits and blazers, embodying the essence of Italian sartorial excellence.

Q: What makes under-the-radar Italian clothing brands appealing?

A: Under-the-radar Italian clothing brands are appealing because they often offer unique, creative designs that are not widely available. They focus on high-quality materials and craftsmanship, making their garments distinctive and special.

Q: Are there any Italian fashion brands that are committed to sustainable practices?

A: Yes, some lesser-known Italian fashion brands are committed to sustainable practices. Brands like Ganni and Stella McCartney are known for their eco-friendly approaches, using sustainable materials while still delivering high-quality luxury clothing.

Q: How can I identify quality in lesser-known Italian clothing brands?

A: To identify quality in lesser-known Italian clothing brands, look for details such as the type of fabric used (like cashmere or high-quality cotton), craftsmanship in stitching, and the overall fit of the garment. Researching the brand’s reputation and history can also provide insight into their quality standards.

Q: What should I consider when shopping for Italian designer brands?

A: When shopping for Italian designer brands, consider the brand’s heritage, the quality of materials used, and the craftsmanship behind each piece. Additionally, pay attention to the brand’s philosophy regarding sustainability and ethical production, as more consumers are seeking luxury clothing that aligns with their values.

Q: Are there any specific Italian clothing brands that focus on women’s fashion?

A: Yes, brands like Max Mara and Fendi focus on women’s fashion, offering a range of clothing that includes elegant dresses, tailored blazers, and luxury accessories. These brands are recognized for their stylish and sophisticated designs, often incorporating traditional Italian fashion elements.
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