Italian luxury brands are known for their high quality and unrivalled style. But with so many Italian luxury brands, how do you know which ones are worth your time?
Here are a list of the top 10 Italian luxury brands that offer the best for men and women in fashion. These Italian brands are all global brands known for their innovative designs.
Italian luxury fashion brand
The Italian fashion industry is one of the most influential industries in the world, producing some of our favorite luxury clothing brands for men and women. Read on to learn more about which haute couture and ready-to-wear designers are leading the way in this important market!
Italy's top luxury clothing brand
Gucci
Gucci House was founded in 1921 by Guccio Gucci in Florence, Italy. This extravagant Italian brand is known for its trademark double G logo (the founder's acronym) for designing leather goods. If you buy a vintage item, buy it from an authorized store or check if it's a real Gucci product, as the brand is often imitated.
For decades, the company has been known for its exquisite craftsmanship, producing some of the most iconic fashion pieces in history. The brand enjoys a loyal following among celebrities, royalty and ordinary people around the world.
Some of the most popular Gucci products include handbags, shoes, watches, sunglasses and perfumes.
Gucci loafers are trimmed with a metal buckle
Prada
Prada is a high-end Italian fashion brand offering clothing, luxury handbags, shoes and accessories. The company was founded in 1913 by Mario Prada and has been a family business ever since.
Italian fashion designer Miuccia Prada is mario's granddaughter. As Co-CEO of Prada, she is the Creative Director of Miu Miu.
Prada is now considered one of the most iconic and prestigious fashion brands in the world, with a wide variety of products that appeal to both men and women. In the past, celebrities such as Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Beyoncé have worn Prada pieces, cementing their position as the elite of the fashion industry.
A luxurious Prada handbag
Armani
Armani is a luxury fashion brand that originated in Italy. Founded in 1975 by Giorgio Armani, it has grown to become one of the world's most successful designer brands.
The brand is known for its minimalist style, luxurious materials and exquisite clothing decorations. Armani Group offers ready-to-wear menswear collections, leather goods, accessories, watches, eyewear, and home and office furniture through Armani Casa. Its two most popular collections are Emporio Armani for luxury clothing and Armani Jeans for casual wear.
Armani is considered a luxury brand whose clothing is often highly priced. However, the brand's classic design and quality materials make it a popular choice for those looking for a special product.
Giorgio Armani with Penelope and Monica Cruz
Bottega Veneta
The Italian fashion house was founded in Vicenza in 1966. The company has a strong focus on luxury and quality, and many of its products are made from the highest quality materials such as leather and silk.
Bottega Veneta's products are relatively expensive due to a focus on luxury goods, with many of their handbags retailing for thousands of dollars. The brand is known for its luxury leather goods, especially handbags.
Some of the company's most popular designs include the Intrecciato collection (named after the iconic weaving technique used on many products) and the Bottega Veneta double knot bag.
Bottega Veneta handbag
Emmenegildo Zegna
Ermenegildo Zegna was founded in 1910 by Ermenegildo Zenga. Today, the company is run by the great-grandson of the founders, also known as Ermenegildo Zegna or Gildo for short.
Ermenegildo Zegna's designs are known for their use of high-quality fabrics, Italian craftsmanship and tailor-made cuts. This luxurious menswear brand produces tailor-made suits, as well as ready-to-wear and accessories.
As one of the best luxury fashion brands in Italy, it has many different collections, including the sportswear-inspired Z Zegna collection and the Ermenegildo Zegna Couture collection.
Ermenegildo Zegna Fashion Show
Dolce Gabbana
The famous Italian luxury brand was founded in 1985 by Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. Madonna often wears the brand, and she chose a beaded corset for the New York premiere of Truth or Dare: sharing a bed with Madonna.
The haute couture brand produces menswear and womenswear, as well as accessories, perfumes and home décor. If you want to buy high-end fashion products that will make you stand out from the crowd, then Dolce & Gabbana is definitely a brand worth considering.
Dolce & Gabbana clutch
Versace
The Versace fashion brand was founded in 1978 by Gianni Versace. Over the years, it has become an Italian luxury fashion brand known for its vibrant colours and striking prints.
After the murder of Gianni Versace in 1997, his sister Donatella Versace became creative director of the Versace brand. She continues his tradition of bold design and figure-oriented clothing.
Versace also works with brands such as Adidas to develop men's, women's and children's clothing. These collaborations allow Versace to reach more people with its unique fashion style.
Versace Fashion Show
Fendi
Fendi is a top luxury fashion brand known for its high-end, exclusive products. Founded in Rome in 1925 by Adele and Edoardo Fendi, the company has become one of the most iconic brands in fashion. They opened their first shop in Via del Plebiscito in Rome.
With years of experience in producing beautiful works, Fendi offers unparalleled luxury and quality. From clothing and accessories to shoes and leather goods, Fendi elevates italian fashion.
The brand's iconic double 'F' logo is recognized worldwide as a symbol of timeless refinement. Fendi also owns some of the best handbags in the world, including Baguette, Peekaboo and 2Jours.
Fendi menswear at a concept boutique in Shanghai
Valentino
Founded in Rome in 1960 by Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani, Valentino started out as a small clothing store. The store is a haute couture outfit worn on the red carpet by celebrities such as Isabella Rossellini and Brigitte Bardot.
Since then, the elegant fashion brand has dressed stars such as Sophia Roland, Princess Caroline of Monaco and Jennifer Lopez. The brand utilizes the "haute couture" of its craftsmanship, all produced in Italy using Italian fabrics.
Haute Couture collections include ready-to-wear, leather accessories, shoes, bags, jewelry and watches. Creative Director Pierpaolo Piccioli has modernized the brand while still referencing previous eras in his collection.
A Valentino handbag
Ferragamo
Ferragamo is an Italian luxury fashion brand founded in 1927 by renowned shoe designer Salvatore Ferragamo. The company mainly designs and manufactures footwear for men and women.
Ferragamo shoes are handmade in Italy and the upper is made of a piece of leather (or occasionally suede). They have a thin and flexible "upper" shaped to fit the foot. The last is handmade to ensure it retains its shape.
In 1995, the Ferragamo family opened the Ferragamo Museum and Historical Archive in Florence. 10,000 shoes created by the master are on display.
Shoes made by Salvatore Ferragamo for Judy Garland
Moschino
Founded by Franco Moschino, the influential fashion company created modern designs with a certain irreverence. Celebrities such as Kylie Minogue, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry wear Moschino costumes.
In 2013, the brand underwent a rebranding with a new logo and store design. This was under the direction of creative designer Jeremy Scott. The collections have collaborated with brands such as Coca-Cola, Disney and SpongeBob SquarePants.
The Moschino fashion brand offers women's and men's clothing, shoes, bags, accessories and jewelry – all in their own quirky style.
Moschino runway at Milan Fashion Week
Loropiana
Loro Piana is an Italian luxury fashion brand founded in 1924 by Pietro Loro Piana.
Loro Piana products are known to be made from the highest quality materials. The brand is famous for its cashmere and merino wool clothing, but they also produce accessories and leather goods.
The company has 9 production sites, all in Italy, and 171 stores worldwide. The brand is firmly committed to sustainability and has developed a long-term conservation plan to protect merino sheep and camels, from which their wool originated.
Loro Piana Store – Carlota Grau, CC BY 3.0, from Wikimedia Commons
Roberto Cavalli
One of Italy's most famous designers, Roberto Cavalli is known for his love of animal prints and gorgeous floral designs. Roberto invented a leather printing technique and soon began to accept commissions from Pierre Cardin and Hermès.
In 1972, he opened a boutique in Saint-Tropez, France. Although Roberto Cavalli's U.S. store closed in 2019, you can still find their designs at stores like Bloomingdale's.