Italian luxury brands are known for their high quality and unmatched style. But with so many italian luxury brands available, how can you know which ones are worth your time?
Here is a list of the top 10 luxury Italian brands that provide men and women with the best of the best in terms of fashion. These Italian labels are all global brands, renowned for their innovative designs.
What are the Top Italian Luxury Brands for Upscale Fashion?
The Italian fashion industry is one of the most influential in the world, producing some of our favorite luxury clothing brands for men and women. Keep reading to learn more about which haute couture and ready-to-wear designers are leading the way in this important market!
1. Gucci
The House of Gucci was founded by Guccio Gucci in 1921 in Florence, Italy. This luxury Italian brand made its name designing leather goods which were easily recognisable for their trademark double G logo (the founder’s initials).
Purchase from an authorized outlet such as a standalone Gucci store or a top department store concession. Check that it’s a real Gucci product if buying vintage goods, as the brand is often imitated.
For decades the company has been renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship producing some of the most iconic fashion pieces in history. The brand enjoys a loyal following among celebrities, royals, and everyday people all around the world.
Some of the most popular Gucci items include handbags, shoes, watches, sunglasses, and perfumes.
2. Prada
Prada is a high-end Italian fashion brand that offers 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 well as being co-chief executive of Prada, she is the creative director of subsidiary brand Miu Miu.
Prada is now considered as one of the most iconic and prestigious fashion brands in the world, with a wide range of products that appeal to both men and women. Celebrities such as Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Beyoncé have all been seen sporting Prada items in the past, solidifying its elite status within the fashion industry.
3. Armani
Armani is a luxurious fashion brand that originated in Italy. It was founded by Giorgio Armani in 1975 and has grown to become one of the most successful designer brands globally.
The label is known for its minimalist style, luxury materials and sophisticated finishings on garments. The Armani Group offers ready-to-wear menswear collections, leather goods, accessories, watches, eyewear and home and office furniture via Armani Casa. Two of its most popular ranges are Emporio Armani for luxury clothing and Armani Jeans for smart casual wear.
Armani is considered a luxury brand and its garments typically come with a high price tag. However, the label’s timeless designs and high-quality materials make it a popular choice for those looking for something special.
4. Bottega Veneta
This Italian fashion brand was founded in 1966 in Vicenza. The company has a strong focus on luxury and quality, with many of its items made from the highest quality materials such as leather and silk.
Due to this focus on luxury, Bottega Veneta’s products are relatively expensive, with many of their handbags retailing at several thousand dollars. The brand is most well-known for its luxury leather goods, and in particular, its handbags.
Some of the company’s most popular designs include the Intrecciato range (named after the signature weaving technique used on many of the products) and the Bottega Veneta Double Knot Bag.
5. Ermenegildo Zegna
Ermenegildo Zegna was founded in 1910 by Ermenegildo Zenga. Today the company is run by the founder’s great-grandson, also called Ermenegildo Zegna or Gildo for short.
Ermenegildo Zegna designs are known for their use of high quality fabrics, Italian craftsmanship and bespoke tailored fit. The luxurious menswear brand makes made-to-measure suits, as well as ready to wear suits and accessories.
One of the best Italian luxury fashion brands, it has a number of different lines including the Z Zegna line which is a sportswear inspired collection, and the Ermenegildo Zegna Couture line. Fashionable men swear by their Triple Stich Sneakers with concealed laces.
6. Dolce & Gabbana
This famous Italian luxury brand was founded by Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana in 1985. The label has been worn frequently by Madonna, who chose a beaded corset for the NYC premiere of Truth or Dare: In Bed with Madonna.
The high fashion brand produces both men’s and women’s clothing, as well as accessories, fragrances and home decor items. If you’re looking to buy high-end fashion products that will make you stand out from the crowd, then Dolce & Gabbana is definitely a brand worth considering.
7. Versace
The Versace fashion brand was founded by Gianni Versace in 1978. Over the years, it has become a luxury Italian fashion house that is known for its vibrant colors and striking prints.
After Gianni Versace’s murder in 1997, his sister Donatella Versace assumed the role of creative director of the house of Versace. She has continued his legacy of bold designs and body-conscious outfits.
Versace have also collaborated with brands such as Adidas on clothing items for men, women, and children. These collaborations allow Versace to reach even more people with its unique fashion style.
8. 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 names in fashion. They opened their first shop on Via del Plebiscito in Rome.
With years of experience crafting exquisite pieces, Fendi offers an unparalleled level of luxury and quality. From clothing and accessories to shoes and leather goods, Fendi has elevated the status of Italian fashion.
The house’s signature double ‘F’ logo is recognized all over the world as a mark of timeless sophistication. Fendi also has some of the best handbags in the world including the Baguette Bag, Peekaboo bag and 2Jours bag.
9. Valentino
Valentino was founded in 1960 as a small dress shop in Rome by Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani. The shop produced couture garments for celebrities to wear on the red carpet such as Isabella Rossellini and Brigitte Bardot.
Since then, the elegant fashion brand has dressed such stars as Sophia Loren, Princess Caroline of Monaco, and Jennifer Lopez. The brand capitalizes on the “couture” of its craftsmanship, all produced in Italy with Italian fabrics.
The couture line features ready-to-wear clothes, leather accessories, shoes, bags, jewelry and watches. Creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli has modernized the brand while still referencing previous eras in his collections.
10. Salvatore Ferragamo
Ferragamo is an Italian luxury fashion brand founded in 1927 by Salvatore Ferragamo, a well-known shoe designer. The company mostly designs and manufacture footwear for men and women.
Ferragamo shoes are hand-made in Italy, with the uppers being made of one piece of leather (or occasionally suede). They have a thin flexible “vamp” which is shaped to the feet. The last of the shoe is made by hand to ensure it retains its shape.
In 1995 the Ferragamo family opened a Ferragamo museum and historical archive in Florence. There are 10,000 shoe models created by the maestro on display.
11. Moschino
Founded by Franco Moschino, this influential fashion house creates modern designs with a certain irreverence. Celebrities such as Kylie Minogue, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry have all worn Moschino outfits.
In 2013, the brand went through a rebranding with a new logo and store design. This was under the direction of creative designer Jeremy Scott. The collections have various collaborations with brands such as Coca-Cola, Disney and Spongebob.
The Moschino fashion brand offers women’s and men’s clothing, shoes, bags, accessories and jewelry – all with a quirky style of their own.
12. Loro Piana
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 finest materials. The brand are most well known for their cashmere and merino wool garments, but they also produce accessories and leather goods.
The company has 9 production sites, all in Italy and 171 stores worldwide. The brand have a firm focus on sustainability and have established long term conservation programs to protect the merino sheep and camels from which their wool fleece originates.
13. Roberto Cavalli
One of the most famous Italian designers, Roberto Cavalli is known for his love of animal prints and ornate floral designs. Roberto invented a leather printing procedure and soon started to receive commissions from Pierre Cardin and Hermès.
In 1972 he opened a boutique in Saint-Tropez, France. Although Roberto Cavalli’s US stores closed in 2019, you can still find their designs in stores such as Bloomingdale’s.
14. Miu Miu
Miu Miu is a luxury fashion brand that is part of the Prada Group. It was launched in 1993 by Miuccia Prada as a more youthful, quirky and experimental line compared to the mainline Prada brand.
The name “Miu Miu” is derived from Miuccia’s nicknames “Miu” and “Miusha” used by family members. This Italian fashion label is known for its playful, feminine and slightly eccentric designs in clothing, handbags, shoes and accessories.
The brand’s aesthetic mixes contemporary high fashion with retro inspirations from the 1940s through 1970s. Popular Miu Miu products include embellished handbags, crystal-covered ballet flats, offbeat sunglasses and youthful ready-to-wear pieces.
Major celebrities like Elle Fanning, Kiernan Shipka and Alexa Chung are often seen wearing Miu Miu designs. While more affordable than Prada’s main line, Miu Miu still commands premium luxury pricing aimed at fashion-forward younger consumers.
Final Thoughts on the Best Luxury Italian Brands
These Italian luxury clothing brands have stood the test of time thanks to their iconic designs. In the competitive world of fashion, these high-end brands offer quality and style that is unmatched.
