Italy news and archive

Italy sweatshop probe snares more luxury brands

Italian prosecutors on Thursday named Gucci, Prada, Versace and Yves Saint Laurent as among 13 luxury brands suspected of using subcontractors who exploited migrant workers in Italy, as part of a growing investigation into sweatshop conditions. Milan prosecutor Paolo Storari issued requests for information about alleged abuses by the brands,...

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Italy's luxury brands shaken by sweatshop probes

A series of investigations into exploitative work conditions within fashion subcontractors has roiled Italy's luxury industry, with the government decrying attacks on "Made in Italy". Five fashion brands have been put under court administration since 2024 following probes by Milan prosecutors that uncovered worker abuses and a lack of oversight...

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Italy probes Tod's executives over labour exploitation

Italian prosecutors are investigating three executives from luxury fashion label Tod's, as well as the company itself, for alleged labour exploitation, according to a court document seen Thursday by AFP. Milan Prosecutor Paolo Storari had previously requested a six-month ban on the company's advertising, with Judge Domenico Santoro fixing a...

Retail

Juicy Couture opens first Italian store, eyes London expansion

Californian casualwear label Juicy Couture has inaugurated its first store in Italy, located at Scalo Milano Outlet & More, a shopping and entertainment destination in the Locate Triulzi district of Milan. The site will serve as an exclusive flagship store for the brand, stocking a selection of clothing, bags and its signature velvet tracksuits....

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OVS to acquire homeware provider Kasanova

The Italian retail group OVS SpA (OVS) aims to strengthen its presence in the homeware segment, where its Upim chain is already active with the brand Croff. On Monday, OVS announced a binding offer for the complete acquisition of homeware provider Kasanova SpA. Speculation about such a transaction has been circulating since this summer. Kasanova...

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Tod's faces judicial administration over claims of "severe labour exploitation"

The Milan Public Prosecutor's Office has requested to place the Marche-based company Tod's spa under judicial administration for negligently facilitating "severe labour exploitation" along its production chain. The request from public prosecutor Paolo Storari is addressed to Italy's Court of Cassation, which has scheduled a hearing for November...

Retail

Frey acquires three Italian outlets in major European expansion

French group Frey has entered a 650 million euros strategic partnership with Cale Street to invest in premium outlets across Europe. As part of this alliance, the two companies are acquiring three major Italian shopping villages—Franciacorta, Valdichiana, and Palmanova—for 410 million euros from funds managed by Blackstone. In addition to the...

Fashion

Sustainability at Miomojo focuses on innovation and responsibility

While large clothing and accessory brands often struggle with their sustainability efforts, as their size makes them inflexible or their business model is based on overproduction, smaller and younger labels have it a bit easier as a sustainable direction was part of their programme from the outset. One such company is the Italian bag label...

Culture

Vogue Italia and Kering bring Cinemoda Club to Milan

This September, just as Milan Fashion Week kicks into full gear, Vogue Italia and Kering are introducing Cinemoda Club, a three-day film series designed to spotlight the deep, ongoing connection between fashion and cinema. Running from 25 to 27 September, Cinemoda Club will take over three of Milan’s most iconic independent cinemas Arlecchino,...

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Greenwashing: Shein responds to million euro fine in Italy

Following a one million euro fine from the Italian Competition Authority, the Asian fast-fashion e-tailer Shein has shown remorse. In response to an enquiry, Shein stated that it had "immediately taken all necessary measures to address the criticisms raised". The Italian authority accused Infinite Styles Services Co Ltd, responsible for Shein in...

Retail

Lululemon opens first store in Italy

In a continuation of its international expansion plans, Canadian athleisure giant Lululemon has opened its first store in Italy. Located at Vittorio Emanuele II 24/28 in Milan, the site’s launch marks the first time the brand’s range of athletic apparel and accessories is physically available to the Italian market. The store spans 5,700 square...

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Mergers and acquisitions: PwC says fashion and luxury sector is increasingly selective

Mergers and acquisition operations in the consumer sector are slowing down globally. However, seven mega-deals exceeding 5 billion dollars are boosting overall value. In Italy, 158 transactions were announced in the first five months of 2025. These are some of the findings detailed in the report 'PwC Global & Italian Merger and Acquisition Trend...