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.
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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Valentino: CEO Jacopo Venturini to reportedly step down
Valentino CEO Jacopo Venturini was reportedly leaving the company. According to The Platform, the executive was on leave and is to now exit the company "to take time for himself". The company confirmed to MFF that "Venturini was temporarily absent and on leave for health reasons". Valentino’s revenue was relatively stable compared to the...
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Integrating AI into the organisational structure: Are companies at Pitti ready?
Global spending on artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to more than double by 2028, reaching 632 billion dollars, according to the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide AI and Generative AI Spending Guide. Additionally, as Jorge Amar, senior partner at McKinsey, highlights in a report, "we are entering a world where we will have to...
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Edizione: Benetton holding company's value reaches 13.2 billion euros
Yesterday, in Treviso, the shareholders' meeting of Edizione (the holding company of the Italian brand Benetton), chaired by Alessandro Benetton, approved the 2024 financial results. These showed consolidated revenues increasing to 10.1 billion euros (from 9.5 billion euros in 2023) and a net asset value of 13.2 billion euros (from 11.7 billion...
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