Brioni staged the first ever menswear catwalk show, in 1952, and is said to have invented the trunk show (a kind of travelling showcase). He won the “Franca Sozzani GCC … Below is a compendium of Italian brands that have helped shape the menswear landscape in some way. Josh Sims is a London-based men's style writer contributing to the likes of The Times, Wallpaper and CNN. It now has thousands of employees and sells in over 100 countries, where it’s Made in Italy mantra still matters. Mastering designs which run the gamut from Swarovski crystal-encrusted silken plains to artistic textural designs and statement graphic designs, the Italian brand delights traditionalists, modernists and everyone in between. Tod’s may not have invented the driving shoe – that honour falls to another Italian company, Car Shoe, which in 1963 developed a moccasin with a rubber-studded sole – but it was Tod’s, under founder Diego Della Valle, that drove the idea forward in the late 1970s with its signature Gommino style. Abarth. These Italian furniture brands represent 10 of the best of those design-minded flag bearers. The modern offshoot of Angelo Cappenlini, purveyor of French-inspired furniture (think Louis and Regency styles), Opera Contemporary enjoys all the history of its predecessor’s Brianza heritage (which extends to the 1880s) but with a renewed aesthetic for the modern age. An extremely rare, silk-like yarn that’s plush but always natural – just the kind of textiles Loro Piana specialises in. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Be the first to discover our new arrivals and inspiration, plus get 10% off your first order on full-priced items. Much of Ricci’s products are simple, wearable and exactingly made – suits with that enveloping Florentine flavour, cashmere sweaters, crisp shirting, all fitting that Italian bella figura sassy classicism. Models like the Roccia Vet boot and the Marostica sneaker are instantly recognisable and have established themselves as cult classics. Long story short: there are worse brands to stock an entire wardrobe with. A hot contender for biggest high-fashion label in the world, Gucci has been at the cutting edge since 1921. With headquarters in Turin, Italy, Abarth is a racing and road car manufacturer with a shield and stylized … Courage for innovation.” Selva’s tagline represents this Italian furniture brand well. ‘A touch of mastery every time’ is the line that Signorini & Coco use to summarise its approach to furniture and lighting design. Among many others, the “Borsalino” – its patented version of a felt fedora – was worn by Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca and Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones. Milan is home to some of the most famous luxury fashion brands in the world: the city prides itself on having a centuries-old … It’s another family firm, established 1924, that likewise made vicuna a thing, among the many super-luxe yet discreet fabrics Loro Piana works with. It even had a cult French new wave detective film named after it. Monochrome striped marble furniture recalls the Memphis Movement, metallic elements nod to Carlo Scarpa architecture and Milo Baughmann-esque swivel chairs complete the collection. Its bestselling pieces include the Vendome armchairs, Piccadilly occasional tables, Peggy chair and most anything from the Downtown collection. For this Italian furniture brand, the design cycle begins with the careful selection of materials, choosing to work only with the finest of raw materials. Yes, Aspesi’s garments are casual and unassuming, but their typically Italian focus on style and craftsmanship renders them anything but pedestrian. Known for: Harmonious room sets and a diverse catalogue of styles and finishes. Today, with Smania’s new MyMood service, you can adapt the colour, finish and fabric on any of its products to produce tailor-made interpretations of its original pieces for clients who value unique, personalised interiors. Input your search keywords and press Enter. Having produced typically decorative Italian designs in the past, Selva’s recent Phillip Selva collections (the brand’s contemporary branch) have thankfully introduced a modern sensibility. Designs are typically sleek and understated with clean lines and restrained branding. That much has stayed the same for more than a century. The luxury supercar brand Bugatti entered the world of interior design with the world-renowned Luxury Living Group. It’s also proven itself as a destination for collaborations with exciting artists, architects and designers (including illustrious fashion house Gianfranco Ferre), earning its status as one of Italy’s most exciting rug designers. Travel to Lake Inle in Burma; extract fibres, by hand, from lotus leaves; then weave them within 24 hours before deterioration sets in. Most of its products are made by hand and they pride themselves on achieving nothing but their vision of absolute perfection.