The story began in 1984 when a Milanese entrepreneur, Walter Annaratone, thanks to his family’s decades of experience in retailing, focused on the possibility of opening franchised stores specialized in shirts. A quality product, combined with a sought-after image, would certainly find an important place within the Italian and international market.
Two very young entrepreneurs, Mario Pellegrino, designer and owner of “Passaggio Obbligato” and Enzo Pellettieri, owner of “Camiceria E & G”, were involved in the project. The two companies, with the entry of Walter Annaratone in the social capital, inaugurated the birth of NaraCamicie.
NaraCamicie CEO & founder Walter Annaratone.A ‘new look’ for NaraCamicie stores. Restyled Montenapoleone store.
Development
The adventure of the brand in the world of franchising distribution began more than 30 years ago, with the inauguration of the first store in via Montenapoleone in Milan on January 16 1984, still a point of reference for the sales network and brand image. NaraCamicie starts to conquer foreign markets and opens the first single-brand stores in Tokyo, Athens and New York in 1985. Nara Idee is born the same year, the brand extension dedicated to accessories (ties, bow ties, scarves).
Then in 1990, Nara Maglie is born dedicated to knitwear (men’s and women’s). That year, the brand brings to life a campaign for charity, “I was born with the shirt they are not!” in collaboration with UNICEF and supermodel Alek Wek. NaraCamicie goes on to renew the image of its stores in 2000, making the décor and ambience minimal and essential, designed to enhance the product. The next year the brand embarks into a new adventure, opening its first store in Russia.
The brand celebrated its 25 years of opening in 2009, by opening new single-brand stores both in Italy and abroad and is confirmed as the undisputed icon of the Italian shirt. Between 2010 to 2011 NaraCamicie consolidates its distribution network in the Middle East with the opening of single-brand stores in Teheran, Dubai, Abu-dhabi and Doha.
The brand celebrated 30 years of its success in 2014 by creating a limited-edition, 6 silk organza shirts all Made in Italy. The same year, the label conquers Australian market by opening a single-brand store in Sydney. Early 2016, the brand starts restyling its stores starting with the Montenapoleone store. “The Centre” of Arese welcomes the new store with open arms. NaraCamicie is now present in the largest shopping centre in Italy. NaraCamicie stylist, Mario Pellegrino was awarded ‘Mazaresi Excellence’ Award on 9th July 2016, by the Canto del Marrobbio – the cultural association active in Mazara del Vallo.
Aphrodite Award 2017.
NaraCamicie arrived in Columbia in April 2017, opening a new store in Medellín. In June, the brand sponsored a women’s evening, Aphrodite Award 2017 that celebrated and awarded women from the world of cinema, writing, TV, journalism, and sports.
From March 2018, onwards the brand announced that it will restart restyling of its Italian stores starting from the Ligurian capital of Genoa, aiming to for a ‘new look’ for all its stores in the new few months.
Finances
Today NaraCamicie, with its 250 Italian and 150 foreign points of sale, has a turnover of over 50 million euros. The brand’s turnover in 2015 was around 40 million euros and the brand has been earning around 50% from foreign exports since 2013, making it one of the greatest success stories of modern Italian brands.
Current Situation
Success of the market and the public NaraCamicie stores have spread widely throughout the country and internationally. For the recent restyling works of its stores, the brand entrusted the C & P architects of Venice with the task of signing its new retail image, a project that uncovers all the upcoming openings, starting with the Arese Shopping Centre.
“We have involved Luca Cuzzolin and Elena Pedrina, two architects who were able to keep the soul of the original project, enriching it and updating it with more current contents”, explained Walter Annaratone in an official note.
NeroGiardini, is a brand owned by Bag Spa, a company that produces and sells a million shoes a year. Based in Monte San Pietrangeli (FM) in the Marche Region, NeroGiardini lies at the heart of the local Fermo-Macerata footwear district, renowned for its leather craftsmanship traditions.
The Origin
Born to a family of farming in 1957, Enrico Bracalente worked hard throughout his childhood. He went to school in the morning and then helped his parents in the field. He then went to learn the trade of shoe-making in a shoe factory in the nearby region. Soon he founded a shoe company with his brother Luigi.
He tells in an interview that, they started in the basement of a Church in the village. They did all of the things on their own in the beginning, procured the materials, created shoes (thirty a day, in the beginning) and dealt with the wholesalers, all at the same time. He also says that they didn’t have any financial resources, hence, once they were paid, they bought materials and started the process all over again.
The turning point for them was when a German company placed a large order. By then, they had invested in heavy machinery and increased production. They also started hiring people. By mid 1980s they were thirty. There was a transfer of ownership in May 1998 stemming from a clash of brand philosophy, the transfer made Enrico the sole owner.
The name of the brand comes from, a comic book hero (Nero) and the surname of a shoe-making entrepreneur from Vigevano (Giardini).
Development
Born as a small workshop, the brand developed in 1990 and within a few years it became a real symbol in the world of footwear and also secured a place for itself in the fashion accessories sector. Today, Nero Giardini shoes are a fashion icon that goes beyond the national borders, proposing itself as the banner of Made in Italy in the world. In fact, each product is marked with the Made in Italy brand, being made with specialized craftsmanship that guarantees the constant enhancement and protection of Italian know-how.
Every day 15 thousand pairs of Nero Giardini shoes are produced by the Bag Spa (the company that owns Nero Giardini), the head of which is the entrepreneur Enrico Bracalente, who grew up in the province and managed to bring his beautiful shoes all over the world, becoming the promoter of a campaign to protect Made in Italy.
The decision to produce all his shoes in an Italian factory, unlike almost all other Italian brands, makes NeroGiardini footwear a 100% Italian product, which guarantees jobs and defends the know-how and style of Made in Italy. Despite the technological and industrial production of shoes, in fact, NeroGiardini, always tries to keep an imprint of craftsmanship and some phases of the work are still done by hand.
Enrico Bracalente at “Operatore della Calzatura”.
Social Responsibility
NeroGiardini has a tradition of sourcing its skilled workforce locally and enhancing the local communities. The result is the establishment of a three-year vocational program for “Operatori per la Calzatura” (Footwear industry manufacturing technicians). The program is open to 16-18 year old students who aim to join the company’s workforce.
The company also opened a nursey to help its employees and those of partner companies meet their childcare and professional needs.
The church of San Gregorio, destroyed by the 2009 earthquake that devastated L’Aquila and surrounding areas, was completely rebuilt through the efforts of the NeroGiardini and Enrico Bracalente.
Finances
Bag Spa, owner of NeroGiardini brand, closed 2017 with a turnover of 200 million euros, -4% (about 8 million) compared to 2016, but with a soaring exports increased by 20%.
“The 2017 results are not brilliant – admitted the patron Enrico Bracalente – but the balance sheets are more than satisfactory. We have lost 15 million euros in Italy, offset by the increase in exports, but we have maintained profits, perhaps even improved. We have invested in the European market and we see the first positive signs “. The objective of Bracalente is to reach a “turnover of 400-500 million euros in the decade”. To achieve this, the European market is strategic, “we need to consolidate the results in Italy, where I will keep production”.
Enrico Bracalente- the man behind the brand.
Current Situation
Enrico Bracalente remains the sole administrator and leads Bag Spa that owns NeroGiardini. Today the company employees 2000 locals and produces 18,000 pairs of shoes daily.
The brand loyalty among the consumers is only increasing with the company policy of producing only in Italy relying on the traditional craftsmanship and aiming to improve the local economy while other major competitors are relocating their manufacturing units to other places for cheaper labor. It is acts like these along with the brand’s role in social development that makes it unique and loved.
Nike is an American brand that sells footwear, apparel, equipment, and accessories.It was founded in beginning of the 1960s, by Phil Knight and Bill Bowman.
Nike is the American brand of trainer shoes. The company started as Blue Ribbon Sports in 1964 in Oregon, by Phil Knight and Bill Bowman, who later died in 1999. Then, in 1971 became as its known today, Nike.In Greek mythology, Nike was the goddess of victory and represented success in war and athletic competition. The two iconic mottos of Nike are “just do it” and the notorious “swoosh”. It has played a vital role in making trainers the footwear of choice for everyday use, in its many styles, colors, and technologies. It boasts Michael Jordan, the star of the Chicago Bulls and one of the greatest basketball players of all time, as a celebrity endorser.
Since the beginning of the company, Nike followed a twofold path, developing innovative footwear, and creating a powerful and emotionally involving communication strategy. The same success was achieved at the Olympic Games in Barcelona in 1992 by the American basketball team, the famous Dream Team, made up of the NBA professionals, wearing Nike shoes. Also, Ilie Nastase, a revolutionary and eclectic tennis player, was the first to name a long list of athlete that have represented Nike over the course of the years. It was great publicity.
Nike was the first brand to offer, at the beginning of the 1980s, shoes specifically designed for every sporting discipline: jogging, aerobics, body building, running. To remain above their competition, the brand inserted pockets of air in the heel and sole, copying the technique from Dr Martin’s, with the result that Nike Air monopolized the market. In the heart of Manhattan, the company has a highly modern showroom on two floors, organized according to each different sport.
Brand Development
Nike Free Running Shoes
In April 2002 Nike and Philips announced their collaboration to develop electronic equipment designed for physical activities. It began in September with the launch of a CD player adapted to the needs of sporting individuals. The birth of the Nike Presto line of casual clothing, following the success of rapid use shoes without laces. The wider collection includes clothing, watches and bags.
Later in June, the launch of the franchising operation of the European sector of the multinational. The Viennese store (350 square meters) was the first in a series of test spaces opened in Europe within the course of a few months. The multinational aimed to open 100 European stores by 2008. Then, in December there was the inauguration of the Milan store, on two floors in Corso Buenos Aires. In the second quarter of 2002, the total sales in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa increased by 8%. On the American continent, however, sales decreased by 8% for the same period. By 2003 the global launch of shoes for children aged between 1 and 6 years old, inspired by the Lego Bionicle series.
At this time Nike was criticized for allowing child labor and sweatshops with bad conditions. In response to these criticisms, Nike announced that its plants would be monitored by the International Labor Organization to prevent children exploitation.
In 2004, Phil Knight leaves his position of CEO and President, but remains as chairman. William D. Perez was appointed as the new CEO. The corporation close this year with revenues exceed $12.25 billion, and made significant donation $37.3 Million in Cash for In-Kind services and more than 4,500 Non-Profits globally, including supporting Youth Physical Activity, which is one of the companies long term commitment to getting kids and teenagers more physically active, increasing their physical activity, offering them the support and motivation to become physically active, stay healthy and have fun.
The Nike Youth Physical Activity Community Impact
A year later, Nike became the first company in sports industry to disclose its factory base to encourage industry transparency and collaboration. During this period, Nike signs tennis star Rafael Nadal to be its new spokesperson. The company introduced its signature minimalist running shoes Nike Free, in that time, Nike Free was the most cushioned model in the whole industry.
Sponsorship and Collaborations
In the beginning of 2006, CEO William Perez departs. At this time, the company’s commitment to industry-leading transparency in its social responsibility reporting has led to the company being the top U.S. company and one of the world’s top 10 in the latest Sustainability Global Reporters Program ranking.
Collaboration With Apple Sports Band
In 2007 Nike made a 5-year sponsorship with India cricket team for $43 million. Later in this year, Nike welcomed its new CEO Mark Parker. During this time, Nike teamed up with Apple and created the first collaboration between sport band and technology company, together, Nike+iPod sports kit is launched, this product aimed to help runners to log and monitor their runs through iTunes and Nike+ website. At end of this year, Nike introduced AF 25, after 25 years of Air Force shoe line.
In 2008 Nike launched the Air Jordan XX3, a high-performance and eco-friendly basketball shoes. Also, the Nike Considered Design made its debut, this collection combined sustainability and the latest innovations for sports.
2008 The Air Jordan XX3
The company has provided consumers considered products for several years but for the first time, they considered Design and aimed for it to be featured in all of Nike’s six key categories: basketball, running, football, women’s training, men’s training and sportswear, as well as in tennis and ACG (All Condition Gear).
Also at this time, Nike and The Finish Line Company announced the opening of a new retail experience called Finish Line Ltd Customized to meet the needs of young running and training athletes. The concept store is located at the Chandler Fashion Center near Phoenix, Arizona.
Thanks to a smart and effective communication strategy that has involved the greatest representatives of youth cultures, the creative forefront, and relationships with the most significant artists, designers and role models of all time, Nike has managed to carve out an important place in the imagination of consumers, a decisively transversal target. The communication policy of the brand also includes the creation of very active web platforms, intended to become small virtual communities for people that love challenges and the world of sports.
Store Openings
In 2009, Nike opened a flagship store in Tokyo. In 2011 the House reopened the 1948 space in London, which had been closed three years before. Nike set up a space both for the sale and for customer entertainment.
Nike Lab in Tokyo
2014 marked the new store openings in Berlin, in Rio (exclusively dedicated to football), in San Francisco and in Seoul. Also, they introduced many NikeLab, where people can find both e-commerce and creative spaces. NikeLab is a place where the brand can show how the Company interacts and collaborates with other innovators and designers. In 2015 they introduced new products that help both breathing while running and the temperature control during sports activities.
Nike SNKRS App
At this time, the company launched a new application called SNKRS, which allows fans to discover and buy new products. It is considered the best sneaker store in the palm of your hand. Recently the brand started to support an environmentally sustainable production. As a matter of fact, Nike spent $50 million in research and development to change, with nitrogen, a gas that was already contained in the soles of the Air Max and contributed to global warming. With this change the brand introduced Airmax 360. Some years ago, Nike introduced the customization of the shoes to satisfy extravagant people that want to express their own style. This kind of service is available on the web site and in stores.
A Sustainable Business
Over the years, sustainability plays a critical role at the company, which is also considered a powerful engine for company’s future growth. The company has spent more than a decade embedding sustainability across the company to help technology and innovation to drive new solutions that could deliver for athletes, business and the world. The company has made commitment to reducing carbon emissions to support global carbon budget, environmental footprint, and ensuring their sourcing and manufacturing ecosystem continues to deliver sustainable growth across the entire value chain.
Sustainable Shoes
In 2016, Nike expanded the European logistics campus, located 50 km outside of Antwerp, using only renewable energy sources, including wind turbines and solar panels. To stay in line with the eco-friendly policy, 95% of waste, produced on site, is exploited to create energy. In addition to reducing waste, in 2016 Nike improved the performance of Nike Flyknit (a pair of shoes that performs since four years from introduction date), being now lighter and more protective, ensuring maximum performance and minimizes waste.
Current Situation
Current January 2017 Campaign
On February 12th 2017, Nike uses its logo to introduce an initiative in favor of respect and loyalty during sport activities. The spot is entitled “Equality” and boasts Michael B. Jordan, LeBron James and Serena Williams among the actors.
Nike has consolidated its business and its success through serious investments in research into new technologies for sport performance, a search they continue to develop together with the best athletes in every discipline, becoming the first manufacturer of accessories and clothing for football, basketball, tennis, skateboarding and many other disciplines. Currently, the company has 5 global headquarter in worldwide, 62.6k employee’s, their products can be found in every country in the world, they are sold at 110k retail stores, and during the year of 2017 there were 931 more new stores were opened.
1987 marks the beginning of Napapijri brand. The story began under the shadow of Europe’s highest peak, Mont Blanc, when Italian Manufacturer of travel bags, Green Sport Monte Bianco, founded by the Rosset family in Aosta, Italy, introduced a new meaning to outdoor apparel. The manufacturer combined innovative materials with a close attention to style. The iconic Bering Bag was the very first product created and produced by Napapijri, named after the great 18th century Danish officer in the Russian Navy, Vitus Bering, one of the first men to explore the great expanse of Arctic sea separating Russia from North America. In the course of a few years, the Aosta headquarters were flanked by new production units and numerous joint ventures with technologically advanced companies, allowing the brand to maintain its high production standards.
The Logo
Napapijri means Arctic Circle in Finnish and the logo, half positive and half negative, expresses the North and South Poles in graphic form. The Norwegian flag is closely linked to the brand’s DNA, representing Europe’s northernmost country, the birthplace of some of the great explorers of the 20th century as well as a land of extreme conditions and magnificent landscapes.
Napapijri Logo
The Style
Napapijri jackets, parkas and pullovers are designed in muted colors that blend right into urban landscapes, so they’re great for city wear, travel, and mountain wear. It comes in a minimalist style, with no overboard logos, patches or colors. Very easy to combine with any style you are going for and casual overall look, that goes well in most occasions.
It is a brand that mixes fashion with function. Meaning their products blur the line nicely between an afternoon hike through your nearest forest and that casual supper you will have afterwards at your local eatery. The brand represents a global mindset through the intersection of boundaries, culture, nature, and art. From the beginning, the company was committed to marrying the performance features of mountain gear with the fashion appeal of urban wear.
Iconic Skidoo Jacket
In 1990 the iconic Skidoo jacket was born. Still one of outerwear models ever made revolutionaries, the Skidoo conquered the success establishing itself as an undeniable style icon. Initially conceived as a pullover, this jacket is carefully designed in a modern technical fabric, durable and lightweight at the same time, to ensure maximum protection from the elements. Intelligent details make the difference.
Napapijri Iconic Skidoo Jacket
Napapijri expands its product range from clothing to accessories. 1998 the company lands in Japan and opening its first store in Paris in the prestigious and picturesque Village Royal. From 2000, the Napapijri Geographic Company of sportswear, accessories and shoes for men and women, has been joined by Napapijri Kids, a collection of about 80 unisex garments for children from 2 to 16 years old. In 2003 the collaboration between Karl Lagerfeld and Napapijri for the creation of a limited edition Skidoo.
In 2004, Giuliana Rosset is the CEO of a public company when the brand is acquired by VF Corporation, a US-based leader in lifestyle apparel and owner of Lee, Wrangler, Nautica, and Eastlake, leads the brand in the direction of a more global business. This entailed a process in which all design, distribution and communication operations were centralized in headquarters in Lugano, Switzerland. Also, thanks to the investments on the international market, it is predicted by 2004 half of Napapijri’s turnover will come from abroad.
In 2005 they open a Munich store, Germany’s mecca for cultural tourism. In 2007 Napapijri launches a footwear line along with the opening of a new store in Berlin, Europe’s capital of cool. In 2007, the brand also began the production of sunglasses, and a repositioning of its identity with the inauguration on Milan of a gallery store in Via Manzoni, hosting photographic exhibitions and events on themes such as travel or the environment. The Recent opening of the own-brand store in Milan followed others in Chamonix and Paris, while the Tokyo store, in the Shibuya area, is the first step on the way to expansion in the East, a priority for the company.
Napapijri Supports the Environment
In 2008, to celebrate the opening of the Milan store, Napapijri teamed with brand’s official ambassador, photographer/adventurer Sebastian Copeland, exhibiting Copeland’s photographs entitled “Antarctica: The Global Warming” at the store. Proceeds from the sale of the photographs went to Global Green USA, the U.S. arm of Green Cross International. Napapijri continues to sponsor Copeland on expeditions to photograph and film endangered environments to support travel, research, and exploration to raise public awareness on environmental issues and eco-sustainability. The project seems a fine fit for Napapijri, with its polar heritage and environmentally friendly sportswear.
Brand Ambassador Sebastian Copeland
In 2009 Andrea Cannelloni became the President of Napapijri and opened its 50th store, in Lille, France. Later, in 2010 Japanese designer, Yoshinori Ono, designed a special clothing line for Napapijri which was designated as the ‘66° 33’ Special Project’ the numbers referred to the latitude of the Arctic Circle. Also at this time, the brand opened an online shop.
Napapijri 66° 33 Special Project
In 2011 Napapijri designed a jacket costing €10 for the Democratic Wear campaign launched by the Coin department store chain in Italy. A percentage of the sales went to Green Cross Italy.
Also, in summer Napapijri launches, The Denim Project, a capsule collection consisting of five jeans and a “used” denim jacket style. Each one is different from the other thanks to the various fitting and treatments. Washing in fact range from 100% indigo, the handmade mending, the technique of stone washed to give the ffect of the jacket looking dirty. Also, the denim jacket, Aijal, uses the same manufacturing processes to give a vintage vibe that men, traveler, and researcher of unknown worlds who is full strong emotions, can interpret.
Brand Expansion
The Geographic and Authentic collections are launched and Napapijri opens its doors to the world by launching its first e-commerce website. 2012 was a landmark year as Napapijri opens its 100th store, in Stockholm, Sweden, as well as a flagship store in one of Asia’s most important fashion cities, Seoul.
Store in St. Anton, Austria
In 2013 stores open in two of Europe’s favorite mountain destinations: Crans Montana (Switzerland) and St Anton (Austria). Later, in 2014, the brand partnered with BMW at the 9th Annual BMW xDrive Tour in France for winter terrain test drives, providing the BMW team with the apparel they needed to withstand the elements. The Napapijri® brand expanded its global presence with a new store opening in the heart of Vienna’s main shopping area. This brought a worldly view on style and innovation.
To build the Napapijri® Spring and Summer 2014 collection, the brand traveled from the forests of the Sierra de Urbasa plateau to the desert valley of Bardenas Reales. mixing elements of its heritage with global travel insights, the brand developed an eloquent blend of cultured style and fresh fashion. In 2015 an official press release, the Napapijri brand is committed to animal welfare and stops the fur from the fall-winter 2015 collection It will use high-quality synthetic fur of the brand Kanecaron.
Thermo-Fibre Technology
Thermo-Fibre Technology Jacket
Napapijri embraces THERMO-FIBRE® product, an eco-friendly replacement for Fall/Winter collections. Composed of lightweight air-trapping microspheres that create a soft, quilted texture, ensuring superior, lab-tested thermal regulation and insulation also enables the new AERONS style: a versatile, attractive and easy-to-wear jacket, where softness, durability and protection meet a sleek, modern esthetic that suits urban pace just as well as life on the trail.
Collaborations
In 2016 Dutch artist, Heleen Blanken, collaborates with the brand to explore the tension between the urban and the wild in her new artwork. The artwork was centered around the tension between industrial destruction and the beauty of nature.
Napapijri Collaboration with Heleen Blanken
In 2017, the London designer, Martine Rose, and Napapijri together create a capsule collection on the market. For their designs, they took inspiration from the nineties hip-hop scene. The line was contemporary, intelligent, and a total must-have. Thanks to the attention to detail and oversized pieces she has managed to preserve the uniqueness of the label and at the same time pressing her own stamp by injecting a healthy dose of color in the collection. That way, they will bring a little more contrast in the Napapijri world, which is known for its eternal dark tones of the brand. The collection mixes salopettes with yellow, blue or black oversized jackets, based on Napapijri’s curly fleece. The new dimension in thermal insulation.
Napapijri Martine Rose Capsule Collection 2017
Current Situation
Currently, Mariano Rajoy is the Brand President. The company will launch the Super light Parka for the 2017 Fall/Winter season utilizing there THERMO-FIBRE® in collaboration between Freudenberg Performance Materials Apparel to give a boost to the development of the fireball padding.
Super Light Parka 2017 Fall/Winter Season
The various lines combine to make up two offerings, Napapijri Geographic and Napapijri Authentic. Napapijri Geographic is based on the concept of day-to-day garments for town use and leisure. Napapijri Authentic highlights the natural origins of the brand and on high technical content and performance, developed to offer a flawless wear ability in all situations and weather conditions. The first example of this passion is the Skidoo jacket, a Napapijri icon that has been constantly revisited over the years, with new materials and colors every time in order to perpetuate the energy of an enduring style capable, above all, of telling a story.
Currently, Napapijri has has a wide distribution network with more than 600 multi-brand stores in Italy and partnerships around the world, controlled by 3 branches run from the USA, France, and Germany.
Chain of American department stores. Along with other famous stores, such as Bergdorf Goodman, it is part of the Neiman Marcus Group. Today it has approximately 30 stores and over 7,000 employees. It was founded in 1907 by Herbert Marcus, Carrie Marcus Neiman and A.L. Neiman. It has become an institution, thanks partly to the Christmas catalogue which proposes the impossible. The group has always offered a very personalized customer service. From 1938, it instituted the Neiman Marcus Award, which is given to designers and other professionals in the fashion industry. Previous recipients include Chanel, Salvatore Ferragamo (1947), Roberta di Camerino (1956), and Missoni (1973). Neiman Marcus was the first store to import Italian knitwear, starting with Mirsa.
Ilaria (1969). Italian designer and entrepreneur. Born in Vicenza, she represents the third generation of a family of leather manufacturers. In addition to her training in the family firm (Diana of Vicenza), she has had a great deal of work experience abroad, particularly in New York. Her creative style led her to design her own collection of handbags in different leathers in 2002. Her famous product is the Number One, which has been bought by Madonna and Queen Rania of Jordan. The designer has her own up-to-date and well-constructed website. It contains the designer’s motto: “A handbag should be capable of holding a woman’s most intimate emotions.”
Robert (1969). French designer. He took a diploma at the Berµot studio at the age of 20 and immediately afterwards became an assistant to Adeline André. For a while he worked for Yoneda Kasuko and, for two years, he worked at Arnaud and Thierry Gillier, where he learnt the basics of the trade and all the details of production. In 1994 he was menswear designer at Dorothée Bis. The following year he joined Lanvin. In 2001, he created a company that bore his own name and became a consultant for the Pucci menswear collection in Florence. Today he produces a collection of men’s and women’s clothing under his own name.
Byron (1948). English photographer. He studied art and design at Leicester College of Printing. In 1977, he was the art director for Deluxe. He moved to Paris, where he is responsible for photography at Mode International. He has collaborated with Friends, Time Out, Rolling Stone, Cream, Lui, and Playboy.
Jewelry brand owned by the Italian company Worldgem (province of Vicenza). Dynamic communication techniques, distribution, and sales have enabled the firm to rapidly establish its four brands on the national and foreign markets: Nimei, Yukiko, Miluna, and Kiara, which each serve a different market band. While Nimei and Yukiko are designed for a public with classic tastes, Miluna and Kiara satisfy the youth market, sensitive to changes in fashion. In particular, Nimei represents the feather in the firm’s cap, with its many collections in which pearls, always accompanied by a guarantee of high quality, play an important role. Examples of different tones — white, lavender and peach — are combined to produced the refined and decorative effects of the La Perla collection. The Nimei La Perla strands are quoted in the financial newspaper, Il Sole 24 Ore, every second Tuesday of the month.”
Filippo (1913-1987). Italian men’s tailor. He was very well known for his ability to calculate measurements by eye. A mayor of New York wanted a copy made of a double-breasted jacket that was a perfect fit and hung beautifully. For Nativo, it was enough to see him once in the middle of a crowd. A Sicilian, carrying on a family tradition (his father had a small workshop at Santa Croce in Camerina, near Ragusa), between the two wars he lived in Tunisia working in the building trade. In 1945 he returned to Italy, this time to the north, and went to work in the tailoring atelier of Ristori in Florence. He set up on his own, experimenting with new materials. He attracted clients like Bista Giorgini, who launched the runway shows at Palazzo Pitti, and was one of the most important figures in the new Italian fashion industry. It was for Nativo that a very young Enrico Coveri appeared on the runway wearing an outfit that could be changed with a system of zips. After his death, his son took over the atelier.
