By the 1970s, the company was a specialist in outerwear – still an area in which it’s expert – before expanding into all areas of menswear, with suiting at the fore. Black Friday 2020: Click to see the best men's fashion & grooming deals, bridging the gap between smart and casual, the world’s trendiest contemporary menswear boutiques, Black Friday 2020: The Best Men’s Style & Grooming Deals, Fire Kicks: The Hottest Designer Sneaker Brands In The World Right Now, Wardrobe Maintenance: 9 Ways To Make Your Clothes Last Longer, Lace Up: 5 Stylish Ways To Wear Boots With Jeans, Get Your Fill: The Best Down Jacket Brands In The World, The Man With The Golden Wardrobe: The Most Stylish James Bonds Ranked, First Line Of Defence: The Best Winter Coat Styles For Men, Finishing Touch: The Most Stylish Jewellery Brands For Men. Italian furniture design has always emphasised upon fine quality materials and beautiful craftsmanship. It’s by no means Encyclopedic, but it contains all the labels that we at Ape feel should be on our readers’ radars. Later relaunched under designer Tomas Maier as a full collection brand, it’s to Bottega Veneta you turn for some “stealth wealth” dressing. Its collection exchanges intricate rococo lines for clean, angular ones and rich damasks for luxurious plain velvets – interpreting historical design in a unique way. But its heart has always been in classical tailoring rather than seasonal trends. Founded by Massimo Osti in 1971, C.P Company became known primarily for its outerwear. That much has stayed the same for more than a century. Proof that fashion doesn’t have the monopoly on luxury Italian brands. Now one of the most iconic names in fashion, Prada began life as so many high-fashion houses do, by crafting luxury leather goods for the upper classes. Their story hails from 1830s Teheran before winding its way along an exotic trail by way of Istanbul, St Petersburg, Cannes and, finally, Milan. Founded by art director Domenico Mula in 2006, this luxury Italian brand is synonymous with impeccable and authentic Italian craftsmanship as well as Mula’s intimate relationships with the artisans behind his collections. Among many others, the “Borsalino” – its patented version of a felt fedora – was worn by Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca and Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones. Known for: The form-conscious silhouettes, clean lines and plain but textured upholstery loved by subtle luxury enthusiasts. They keep the flag of Italian Design flying high.”. Arguably the first brand to take the functional aesthetic of military and workwear and develop it into contemporary garments using high-tech materials, Stone Island (and its brother brand CP Company) is one of the 20th century’s most influential menswear labels. Long story short: there are worse brands to stock an entire wardrobe with. Having played host to creative forces including current creative designer Alessandro Michele and the great Tom Ford, the Florentine fashion house has spent much of the last few decades remoulding the industry in its own image. Cucinelli is the Italian fashion designer who started out making brightly coloured cashmere sweaters and grew to become a purveyor of the minimalist, carefully coordinated, super-luxe aesthetic his namesake brand now embodies. Its ‘made in Italy’ recognition is only part of its story. Built on innovation, freedom and multiculturalism, our vision stems from our stores, located in the heart of the Mediterranean. On one hand, its heritage informs some of its collections and all of its faultless processes but it’s the brand’s innovation that will take it into the future. Italian fashion is defined by high-quality textiles and top-notch tailoring. Designs are typically sleek and understated with clean lines and restrained branding. Traditional Italian design characterises the rest of its range but it’s these statement pieces which really inspire. Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Fendi, Valentino, Burberry, Salvatore Ferragamo, Balenciaga, Saint Laurent, Prada, Balmain are just some of the top brands we are official retailers of. Exquisite, channel-tufted sofas, sculptural metallic table lamps and dining tables delicately trimmed with decorative glass panels – not bad for an Italian brand which started as life as a small pottery workshop. This Italian furniture company’s collections are extensive with options for every part of the home, including exterior design and accessories. Blink and these pieces from our Black Friday sale will be gone, From Marie Antoinette to Cindy Crawford, Cire Trudon boasts a resplendent history, Deck the halls with these tree decorations. Other Italian accessory and jewelry brands, such as Luxottica (owner, amongst several luxury eyewear brands, of Ray-Ban and Persol), Marcolin, De Rigo, Safilo, Buccellati, Damiani, Vhernier, Pomellato, Morellato, Officine Panerai and Bvlgari are amongst the most important in the world. Known for: an interior designer’s approach to furniture and furnishings where Italian roots meets pan-European inspiration. Known for: Harmonious room sets and a diverse catalogue of styles and finishes. Much of Ricci’s products are simple, wearable and exactingly made – suits with that enveloping Florentine flavour, cashmere sweaters, crisp shirting, all fitting that Italian bella figura sassy classicism. An extremely rare, silk-like yarn that’s plush but always natural – just the kind of textiles Loro Piana specialises in. Below is a compendium of Italian brands that have helped shape the menswear landscape in some way. Inspired by the style heritage of its native Venice, Barena produces simple, well-made pieces that ooze character and quality. And some of it leans towards the flashy: platinum belt buckles, jewel-encrusted cuff-links, crocodile sneakers and the like.