8 Most Famous Italian Designers You Need To Know

By Alex Assoune Apr 01, 2024

The best Italian fashion designers create beautiful, ethical, and luxurious clothing, shoes, bags, and accessories under high social and environmental standards.

They feel a greater responsibility toward the environment and the workers in supply chains. They promote responsible consumption and circular apparel design that protect people, animals, and the planet.

If you are interested in luxury ready-to-wear and designer accessories, choose clothing pieces made from the best fashion houses that use eco-friendly materials and sustainable design techniques.

These famous Italian fashion designers create artisanal collections, luxury haute couture, and driven clothing designs that promote sustainability and environmental responsibility.

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1. Consuelo Castiglioni

Consuelo Castiglioni Marni fashion designer italy

Category: Basics, knitwear, outerwear, bags, shoes, accessories, jewelry
For: Women, men, children
From: Vicenza, Italy
Values: Luxury, recycled, local
Prices: $400-$900

Consuelo Castiglioni is an Italian, Swiss, and Chilian fashion designer who founded a luxury fashion house called Marni in 1994. She creates visionary collections of womenswear, menswear, kids' clothes, bags, shoes, accessories, and jewelry.

The designer is committed to reducing the social, economic, and environmental impact of the fashion industry. She doesn't aim to be the biggest in the industry but the most alternative.

Italian fashion designer Francesco Risso is Marni's new Creative Director since 2016. He previously studied Fashion Design at private fashion school Polimoda and worked for Alessandro Dell'Acqua and Prada.

2. Giorgio Armani

Giorgio Armani famous italian fashion designer

Category: Basics, knitwear, outerwear, bags, shoes, accessories, jewelry
For: Women, men, children
From: Milan, Italy
Values: Luxury, organic, recycled, give back
Prices: $400-$3,500

Giorgio Armani is an Italian fashion designer who founded a famous luxury house, Giorgio Armani. He creates chic and elegant ready-to-wear, haute couture, shoes, jewelry, and accessories.

Giorgio Armani uses creativity, artisanship, experience, and the finest materials to create luxury clothes for women, men, and kids that stand the test of time and becomes the perfect expression of fusion between creativity, style, and innovation.

The Armani Group is committed to sustainability in many different areas, including its community, supply chain, and the environment. It believes that sustainability means making the right choices today for future generations.

3. Roberto Cavalli

Roberto Cavalli famous Italian fashion designer

Category: Basics, knitwear, outerwear, sportswear, swimwear, bags, shoes, accessories
For: Women, men, children
From: Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
Values: Luxury, recycled, local, give back
Prices: $150-$2,500

Roberto Cavalli is a famous Italian fashion designer who founded a luxury house, Roberto Cavalli. The high-end Italian fashion label sells luxury clothing, bags, shoes, and accessories for women, men, and children.

The company adheres to the principles of environmental sustainability. Its activities respect the environment and people, from manufacturers and suppliers to employees in the fashion industry.

Roberto Cavalli is well-known for his signature animal prints, eyewear, watches, and perfumes, as well as his entrepreneurial attitude, boundless creativity, and imagination.

4. Renzo Rosso

Renzo Rosso Italian fashion creator entrepreneur

Category: Basics, denim, knitwear, outerwear, loungewear, swimwear, underwear, bags, shoes, accessories
For: Women, men, children
From: Breganze, Italy
Values: Organic, recycled, individual, integrity
Prices: $30-$550

Renzo Rosso is a famous Italian fashion creator and entrepreneur who co-founded the global brand Diesel in Breganze in 1978. He is the president of the international fashion group Only The Brave (OTB).

Renzo Rosso owns many other brands such as Maison Margiela, Viktor&Rolf, Marni, and Amiri. He sells jeans and other clothing, shoes, bags, and accessories.

Renzo Rosso is the creative vision behind the brand and creates premium denim-centric casual wear. He has a distinctive style that doesn't follow common trends.

The OTB Group strives to give back to society and support its overall advancement. It wants to contribute to sustainable economic and social development.

5. Gianni Dalla Mora

Category: Sneakers, boots
For: Women, Men
From: Padua, Italy
Values: Natural, recycled, vegan, artisan craft
Prices: $180-$250

Gianni Dalla Mora is an Italian shoe designer and founder of Womsh, Word Of Mouth Shoes. He creates affordable and sustainable Italian boots and sneakers that respect the planet and those who live on it.

Gianni Dalla Mora designs eco-friendly shoes to shape a better world. He offers vegan fashion products made without any real leather. He uses recycled polyester, cotton, natural rubber, and sustainable bio-based materials, such as faux leather made from apple fibers and polyurethane.

Womsh upcycling and manufacturing processes ensure the highest comfort, lightness, and eco-friendliness. The final products are well-made and communicate sustainable beauty.

6. Alessandro Michele

Alessandro Michele famous Creative Director Gucci

Category: Basics, denim, knitwear, outerwear, loungewear, underwear, sportswear, swimwear, bags, shoes, accessories, jewelry
For: Women, men, children
From: Florence, Italy
Values: Luxury, recycled, local, inclusivity, accessibility, artisan craft
Prices: $700-$1,900

Alessandro Michele is the famous Creative Director of Gucci, an Italian luxury fashion house founded by Guccio Gucci that designs womenswear, menswear, shoes, handbags, and accessories. The designer also creates makeup, fragrances, and home decoration.

Alessandro Michele celebrates luxury with a contemporary approach to fashion. Sustainability is part of the brand's strategy as an ethical necessity and a driver of innovation.

The luxury designer promotes Italian craftsmanship and is well-known for his stylish and exquisite hand-finished dresses, handbags, and jewelry.

Gucci Equilibrium is the brand's commitment to generate positive change for people and our planet. It envisages a new world with equality for all through activism, inclusivity, and accessibility.

7. Donatella Francesca Versace

Donatella Versace famous Italian fashion designer

Category: Basics, denim, knitwear, outerwear, loungewear, underwear, sportswear, swimwear, bags, shoes, accessories
For: Women, men, children
From: Milan, Italy
Values: Luxury, organic, recycled, local
Prices: $200-$2,700

Donatella Versace is a famous Italian fashion designer who took the creative lead of fashion house Versace after her brother Gianni Versace in 1997. She creates high-end Italian-made fashion clothing and accessories for women, men, and children.

Donatella Versace uses many sustainable materials such as organic cotton, linen, and recycled plastic. She innovatively creates her collections locally according to rigorous sustainability standards.

Versace understands the responsibility we all have as citizens of the world. The fashion label aims to become more sustainable and implements water-saving and recycling ideas.

8. Alessandro Dell'Acqua

Category: Basics, knitwear, outerwear, loungewear, bags, shoes, accessories, jewelry
For: Women, men, children
From: Naples, Italy
Values: Luxury, timeless, local
Prices: $200-$900

Alessandro Dell'Acqua is a famous Italian fashion designer who took the creative lead of Parisian luxury house Rochas. He is also the founder of the contemporary fashion collection N°21.

Alessandro Dell'Acqua creates timeless garments imbued with a natural freshness. He designs essentials for an original, stylish, and lasting wardrobe.

His feminine creations are comfortable, practical, modern, with classic cuts and contemporary silhouettes.

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About the Author: Alex Assoune

Alex Assoune (MS) is a global health and environmental advocate. He founded Panaprium to inspire others with conscious living, ethical, and sustainable fashion. Alex has worked in many countries to address social and environmental issues. He speaks three languages and holds two Master of Science degrees in Engineering from SIGMA and IFPEN schools.

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