Italy has been renowned for its high-quality craftsmanship, elegant tailoring and luxury designs since the 11th century. The manufacture and export of fashion items are an integral part of the country's economy, and the demand for Italian pieces is high. This is because we assume that the more expensive a product is, the more valuable it is. Italian fashion is linked to the concept of Made in Italy, a product brand that expresses the excellence of creativity and craftsmanship.
Many French, British and American luxury brands rely on Italian craft factories to produce parts of their clothing and accessories. From the 17th century to the beginning of the 20th century, Italian fashion lost its importance and its brilliance and the main trendsetter in Europe became France. Venice is home to the Italian fashion house Roberta di Camerino, founded in 1945. As the Neapolitan writer Luigi Settembrini said, the Italian style is a question “constantly in danger of sinking into reefs, stereotyped “national characteristics of peoples”. The Italian style of the old world can sometimes seem exaggerated to those who prefer a more minimalist approach to decoration, however, its supreme elegance cannot be ignored.
It's a way of seeing and being seen, according to Stanfill, and its participants are always well-groomed, well-dressed and completely together. What does glamour mean today for Puglisi and for the daily life of Italians? “Glamour is something deeply attractive, something closely related to beauty, and I definitely believe in beauty”. If you prefer a more rustic style, terracotta tiles are perfect for your home; their colors and textures are a completely different level from fine Italian art. Being home to so many iconic fashion companies undoubtedly helped Italians gain a reputation for being elegant.
The modern Italian design has cleaner lines and a little more black and white than its sister, the elegant traditionalist. This contrast between excess and tranquility is also exemplified by the passeggiata, a quiet walk that takes place at night to relax after a long day, but also for Italians to show off their clothes and see what their neighbors are wearing. The names of Italian luxury sports car manufacturers such as Ferrari and Maserati evoke a vision of unique, confident and striking elegance, just as the names Valentino, Versace, Gucci and Prada exude luxury, sensuality and a marked Italian arrogance. Of course, showing off is something that a lot of people associate with Italian fashion, especially when you consider the lush displays you're likely to see at Pitti Uomo. The timeless elegance of Italian style has been around for centuries and will continue to be admired for many years to come.
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