The Italian Look, or the Democratization of Fashion

When and why was Italian fashion born? This chapter takes into consideration the beginnings of post–World War II fashion production and design dissemination in Italy, within an international framework that saw Paris as the recognized capital of fashion. It highlights the specificities of the Italian experience, examining some historical strengths, starting with the production of fabrics, especially silk, and then analyzing the progression and peculiarities of industrial textiles, as well as that of clothing and accessories districts. Afterwards, there is an examination of the role and the innovations introduced by the fashion designer, testifying to this professional’s ability to organize the entire fashion supply chain. The result is a new model of high-quality ready-to-wear clothing suitable for a wide range of consumers.