Milan worldwide popular fashion brands

Milan has a long history of formation and developing fashion, textiles and design in general. During the nineteenth century, the city was a large industrial centre, and in 1865 the first department store was opened. Even though the Milanese fashion was inspired mostly by the famous Parisian couture, local designers developed their own approach, which unique features of brightness, spectacle and high quality of fabrics.

Milan presented the world many world-famous brands. Today we will tell you about the most popular of them.

Dolce & Gabbana

The founders of the fashion corporation Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana met in the ’80s of the last century and after two years of hard work they opened their own studio. The first appearance of the brand took place in December 1985 at the Milan Fashion Week. The novice designers have no money, so the clothes were demonstrated not by professional mannequins but by ordinary women. However, success did not force itself to wait, and the second year there was a second show, after which the first Dolce & Gabbana boutique was opened. In 1987, the world saw a separate line of fashion knitwear, and in 1989 – a collection of lingerie and swimwear. The company continued to develop, and in 1990 the brand presented the first men’s collection, which received the prestigious Woolmark Award. Now the brand designs clothes, accessories, perfumery and jewellery. And still, a fashion house provided the world more than 20 books devoted to the history of clothing and various world events. Part of the incomes from the sale of books went to charity organisations.

Prada

The story of a fashion house began in Milan, in 1913, when Mario Prada, the founder of the brand, opened a small store of elegant travel bags. In 1958, the daughter of Mario-Louise took over the management of the company and significantly expanded the range of the brand. Already in 1970, the Prada clothing and accessories collection was sold far beyond Europe. Exquisite bags made of expensive and rare materials were a symbol of a luxurious lifestyle, but they were bulky, so they were severely bought. When the crisis has already been expected, Miuccia Prada, the granddaughter of the founder, took over the management of the company. And in 1993, the Prada brand introduced the world’s new brand of Miu Miu and redeemed Fendi’s fashion house. Now the company offers not only exquisite bags but also stylish clothes, accessories, footwear and perfumes for women and men.

Versace

This well-known Italian company was founded in 1978 by fashion designer Gianni Versace, who directed the brand until he died in 1997. After him, his sister Donatella Versace took over the management. At the beginning of its development, the brand offered fashionable clothing, perfumery, watches, household goods, accessories and luxury goods. In 2018, the American company Michael Kors Holding Ltd bought 20% of the fashion house’s shares for 1.83 billion euros. Now Versace specialises in the development and sale of luxury goods: men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, cosmetics and perfumes, accessories, jewellery and household goods – from towels and dishes to ceramic tiles. Also in the Versace range, there are “off-the-couture” women’s clothing under the brand Atelier Versace. An interesting fact is that the emblem of the company is the jellyfish Rondanini, surrounded by a meandering ornament.

For the Italians, fashion is a kind of fetish, a second religion after Catholicism. Everything, even air on the streets, is imbued with style and beauty here. Maybe that’s why we are so striving to get into a fashionable outlet, coming here for a weekend?