Articles by Isabella Naef
Isabella Naef has been the Senior Editor of FashionUnited Italy since 2008. She is in Milan and covers fashion and luxury goods, with a particular focus on financial and economic news and sustainability. A dual Italian and Swiss citizen, Isabella graduated in Political Science from the University of Milan. She is member of the Professional Journalists' Association since 2000, contributing to newspapers and magazines. She is passionate about covering the fashion industry during this dynamic period, where sustainability, Gen Z, and artificial intelligence are paving the way for new and exciting chapters in economic, creative, and trend history.
Former Gucci CEO Marco Bizzarri receives honorary doctorate from UCA
The University for the Creative Arts (UCA) has awarded an honorary doctorate to Marco Bizzarri, former chief executive officer of Gucci and Bottega Veneta. He is also the co-founder of the Milan-based venture capital fund Forel. Through his family holding company, Nessifashion, he invests in fashion, luxury and design companies. He is a member...
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Mergers and acquisitions: PwC says fashion and luxury sector is increasingly selective
Mergers and acquisition operations in the consumer sector are slowing down globally. However, seven mega-deals exceeding 5 billion dollars are boosting overall value. In Italy, 158 transactions were announced in the first five months of 2025. These are some of the findings detailed in the report 'PwC Global & Italian Merger and Acquisition Trend...
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Milan court orders judicial administration for Loro Piana
Another case of labour exploitation involving a luxury brand has emerged. This time it concerns LVMH-owned brand, Loro Piana. A Milan Court has ordered judicial administration for one year for Loro Piana. Frédéric Arnault has been the CEO of the company since June 10. According to Italian news agency Ansa, the measure taken by the judges of the...
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Sustainable sneakers: Materials, production, and the future of footwear
The footwear sector, including sneakers, is incorporating sustainability initiatives, as these products are now a constant in fashion collections and are increasingly worn for various occasions. Sneakers are the focus of research and experimental projects by material producers for sustainable, recyclable, or partially recyclable components....
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Brunello Cucinelli: Revenue up 10.2 percent in first half
Brunello Cucinelli Spa has reviewed the preliminary revenue figures for the first six months of the year. Revenues totalled 684 million euros. This represents a 10.2 percent increase at current exchange rates (10.7 percent at constant exchange rates) compared to the first half of 2024. Across geographical areas, the Americas saw an 8.7 percent...
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Hmoda acquires 60 percent of Manrico Spa
Hmoda (Holding Moda Moda), a subsidiary of Holding Industriale (Hind), an investment company specialising in small and medium-sized Italian businesses, has acquired a 60 percent stake in Manrico Spa, a company specialising in the production of cashmere garments. "With this new transaction, Hmoda further expands its distinctive know-how,...
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Rino Mastrotto and Gruppo Marzotto create Jacqart - Trame d’Arredo
Jacqart – Trame d’Arredo, a new company specialising in the production of high-quality jacquard fabrics and velvets, has been formed through the merger of Imatex23 srl ("Imatex"), a company controlled by Rino Mastrotto, and Prosetex, a company of Gruppo Marzotto. The launch of the new company was announced in a joint statement by Rino Mastrotto...
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Altagamma: future of luxury between top-tier, aspirational clients and high-potential countries like India and Thailand
Milan - Multi-brand retailers are facing a crisis. This is particularly true for those focused on clothing and leather goods, but not those in beauty and watches and necessitates an ever-closer relationship with customers. The luxury sector is experiencing a period of stagnant growth. There is also disaffection among aspirational consumers. This...
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Armani Group: Net revenues down 5 percent in FY 2024
Consolidated net revenues of the Armani Group amounted to 2.3 billion euros, a decrease of 5 percent compared to the previous year at constant exchange rates (down 6 percent at current exchange rates). The decline in direct retail revenues was 3 percent at current exchange rates "despite various temporary closures for renovations." "In an...
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Safilo becomes eyewear licensing partner of Victoria Beckham
Italian eyewear group Safilo and Victoria Beckham, creative director and founder of the eponymous fashion label, have signed a new licensing deal. The ten-year agreement covers the development, production and distribution of Victoria Beckham eyewear collections, and runs until the end of December 2035. The entire product line, which includes...
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