Designers around the world take inspiration from Italy
After World War II, there were big changes going on in the fashion industry. There was a divided line between the French couturier and the American design, along with the department store production and the custom-made items that were present in Paris and New York. At this time, society was looking for a way to incorporate all of the styles and ideas. Italian fashion designers understood the need for accessible, comfortable, and elegant collections, but they were in a competition with New York and other big cities. Italy had been a top selling headquarters for accessory fashion items and small leather items since early on in the twentieth century, along with shoes, textiles, and jewelry since the twelfth century.
In 1951, Giovanni Battista Giorgini decided to launch his own fashion competition to provide Italian artists a fair chance against its competitors. Some designs were sent from Saks Fifth Ave and other iconic places where artists were succeeding amongst one another. By the 1970’s the Italian pret-a-porter industry helped high-end mass marketing such as Armani, Versace, and Missoni. Wool textiles have been present for the last fifty years, but designer sunglasses, and dyed furs are modeled throughout the Italian manufacturing industry as well. Many of the high end brands such as Tom Ford, Gucci, and Prada have been influenced by one another to create different styles throughout their different brands. “Made In Italy” is also one of the most popular stamps of the evolution in contemporary fashion.
Fast forwarding to now, the fashion industry has expanded all over the world. Fashion innovators are booming with their personal styles and entrepreneurs are creating different iconic items that are present all over the world. In Italy specifically, the fitted, tailored style is the key to fashion.
Being a college student, I wanted to touch on studying abroad in Italy and the fashion you may observe being there. Milan can be high-end over the top trends at times, whereas Venice can depend on the specifics of the occasion and weather. Lastly, Rome and the south is very focused on traditional styles. March, April, and May in Italy is like a dream come true because of the Spring weather. In the Spring, you can spot flowers everywhere and the greenery is beautiful. With Spring time anywhere, the temperatures can vary and you can find yourself needing a jacket on some early mornings.
Day to day, many people do not think about the “Made in Italy” stamps that are inside tons of clothing items. However, the iconic history of the fashion industry from centuries ago has made us appreciate it now and for future generations. The high-end brands that are seen on rappers, movie stars, and actresses’ come from these Italian designers and manufacturing companies. The sheek, elegant background behind the Italian fashion industry has developed into other major cities as well. Living at The Jersey Shore, I have quick access to NYC by an hour train ride. When I walk around the Fashion District of NYC, I think about the iconic figures that have shaped the fashion industry globally, and individually in each city all over the world. My hope for you is to take your love for fashion and think about styling your own outfit with the idea that Italian fashion has been the stepping stone to many famous pieces of clothing and accessories.
Kelli Scerbo is an Italian girl from The Jersey Shore and a junior at Pennsylvania State University – majoring in Journalism with a Business minor. She writes weekly articles for The Odyssey and belongs to the Fashion Society at Penn State. Kelli is hopeful her love for fashion and writing will take her far in NYC after finishing school.