Made in Italy

Made in Italy: A Fashion Phenomenon

In Milan, the Metro is one of the best places to observe fashion at its peak in Milan as everyone from businessmen in Armani suits to teenagers in Zara can be seen styled to perfection. How did this city rise to the top with the most influence on fashion worldwide? Fashion has long been a defining part of Italian society. Italy has a rich history of people who carried themselves with a sense of pride that can be attributed to the clothes they chose to wear. However, Italy has not always been at the forefront of the fashion industry. As early as the 1880s, Italian dressmakers relied mainly on the sketches and concepts of French designers to serve as the inspiration to their own looks. This dependency made it nearly impossible for Linea Italiana, Italian style, to emerge as a look independent from those seen in France.  It was the handcrafted looks made from materials and fabrics sourced in their home country that made Italian designers stand out as artists of the fashion industry. From where the fabrics are sourced to the precise attention to detail seen on clothing and accessories alike, Italian fashion is truly a craft.

The influential styles that originate in Italy have a ripple effect throughout the rest of the world. While the history of fashion traces its lineage centuries back to ancient civilizations, it is today’s designers that continue to raise the bar for the rest of the world. The standards that garment makers have in terms of sourcing fabrics are much higher compared to most other countries, including America. I like to say that the Italians still believe in what their own country has to offer which is become more and more of a rarity.  This craftsmanship is on full display every year for Italian fashion week in Milan with some of the most iconic Italian labels being Gucci, Prada, Dolce & Gabanna and Salvatore Ferragamo. These brands have been around for decades and continue to create some of the finest clothing items in the world.

Italian designers consistently produce collections with pieces made from the finest materials found in their very own country.  While the looks seen during fashion week are considered to be the epitome of true Italian fashion for the given season, this is only a small part of the culture behind Italian style. Fashion is something that nearly everyone in Italy takes pride in showing. I love seeing Italians in the grocery store dressed like they are going to church or to a formal dinner. In Italy, fashion is not pretentious and fashion is not exclusive. Fashion is a part of one's being and a form of expression each and every day. Let's try to be more like the Italians.