SPONSORED: “MADE IN ITALY BRANDS” PRESENTED BY THE ITALIAN TRADE AGENCY, WEEK FOUR

by John Russel Jones Jul 31, 2024


The Italian Trade Agency (ITA) will again sponsor a curated selection of some of Italy’s best menswear and men’s accessories designers at the Chicago Collective trade show, starting this weekend, August 3-6, 2024, at The Merchandise Mart in Chicago, Illinois. Sartorial tradition and the world’s most sophisticated manufacturing techniques combine to lead US retailers on an experiential journey into Italian quality.

For the last few weeks, we have been happy to share a selection of these exhibitors on MR-mag.com every Wednesday. Below, see what makes each of these brands exceptional. (Click here to view the complete list of Italian brands presenting at the Chicago Collective.)

The Italian Pavilion

At the Collective, ITA will host its trademark lounge in the center of the Italian Pavilion. The lounge will host a complimentary espresso bar in the mornings and an aperitivo with Italian-curated cocktails and bites in the afternoons. ITA will also sponsor a special post-show networking event for its sponsored brands and American retail partners one evening.

Summer (and Fall) Blockbusters

The Italian Trade Agency (ITA) is hosting more trade shows, networking events, and consumer-facing events to support Italian brands, including digital solutions that enable them to do business more efficiently and effectively with American wholesale and retail partners. Beyond the Chicago Collective, ITA will showcase womenswear brands at Coterie in NYC and will continue to refresh the EXTRAITASTYLE digital platform with wholesale tools designed to make it easier for American retailers to discover Italian brands online.

Born and based in Naples, Italy, Pietra Salata presents a modern vision of Neapolitan tailoring that will not go unnoticed. The collection includes tailored shirts and jackets made with exclusive designs.

SCIAMAT Booth 3113

 

Sciamat was born in 2002, giving form to a dream of high-level masculine tailoring and innovation for true style connoisseurs. From the Persian word “sha-mat,” “the king is dead,” which means checkmate, the brand contains the mystery and charm of chess, with a peculiar refinement and exceptional attention towards the client. Today, the brand is found in the most exclusive boutiques in the world.

STEFANO CAU Booth 5095

The designer Stefano Cau founded his eponymous brand in the city of Como fifteen years ago. His creativity, years of experience in the fashion world, and the support of the family business gave life to a line whose central core is silk ties, men’s accessories, and printed shirts.

SILVIO FIORELLO Booth 3123

Since 1986, Silvio Fiorello has been dedicated to producing the finest neckwear in the world—a truly handmade product of Italian excellence. The company makes the finest quality silk ties, using only the most premium fabrics from Como. Each tie is expertly hand-crafted one by one in the company’s Sicilian atelier.

VITALIANO Booth 3096

Vitaliano was founded in Bologna by Vitaliano Pancaldi in 1947. Since then, his great love for silk and impeccable taste have inspired the production of original and timeless ties and accessories. Tradition and love for the brand’s products lie behind beautiful creations that are sold in the best stores around the world.

VALSTAR MILANO 1911 Booth 6103

With more than a century of experience in upholding the Made in Italy tradition of true craftmanship, Valstar is a contemporary luxury house founded in 1911 in Milan. Renowned for its signature creation, the Valstarino jacket, each seasonal collection consists of a wide range of garments suited for every occasion using soft suedes, technical fabrics, and woven materials by the hands of expert craftsmen with years of know-how in crafting understated luxury.

SCUDERI Booth 3111

A family business born in Vetralla in 1967, Scuderi has been a three-generation undertaking that has always produced high-quality garments. The brand’s offerings include full canvas garments (jackets, overcoats, vests, and pants), both RTW and MTM, with handmade details.

SALVATORE MARTORANA Booth 6095

A genuine made-in-Italy collection, Salvatore Martorana produces fine tailoring, including high-end full canvas suits and sportcoats, and lightweight double-sided cashmere coats.

ROBERTO RICETTI Booth 5105

The Roberto Ricetti brand was born in 1986 when the designer created a men’s fashion brand that reflected his own vision of dressing well: sober and refined, without excess, but with a visible and perceivable quality from the first glance. The line is now sold worldwide in prestigious shops, and first-class customers wear it with pride.

Salvatore Sorrentino designs and manufactures fashion accessories in leather, using the highest quality materials, processed without the use of chemical solvents and heavy metals. The brand Salvatore Sorrentino was born from the desire to create original collections, 100% made in Italy and takes its name from the designer who has been running the company since 1998, the year it was founded. The logo is the letter S in lower case italics of his signature, simple linear and recognizable.

PLOUMANAC’H Booth 2094

Ploumanac’h’s men’s collections blend timeless style with comfort, featuring versatile high-end leisurewear that effortlessly adapts to the seasons. Kostner Srl is the driving force behind this destination for high-end leisurewear. With a keen eye for design and a global reach, the company crafts exceptional fashion experiences.

TOMBOLINI BOOTH 3125

Eugenio Tombolini founded the Tombolini company in 1964 in the Marche Region of central Italy. The company is supported by the professionalism and passion of its highly skilled staff, creating high-quality products that combine beauty, design, and research to meet the needs and expectations of an international customer. Sixty years of tradition are behind style and value for the modern man.

LENOCI BY TEMA Booth 4096

This collection revolutionizes the artisanal tradition with technology, material research, and fabric hybridization to create the finest leather, waterproof, and shearling garments. The foundation of the company lies in quality materials, a trained staff, with a keen eye on trends.

PASOTTI Booth 5096

Since 1956, Pasotti has produced luxury umbrellas, walking sticks, and shoehorns, exclusively in Italy.

SOZZI MILANO Booth 3105

In 1912 in Milan, the Sozzi brothers began producing silk and Filo di Scozia cotton socks, using the best natural materials, carefully processed to give life to excellent accessories. In 2018, the hosiery company was acquired by the Ciocca S.p.A. Group. The new Sozzi Milano’s mission is as simple as it is ambitious: to transform a seemingly mundane accessory like men’s socks into an authentic statement of style, capable of reflecting the character of the refined man who wears it.

SERÀ FINE SILK Booth 3103

Serà Fine Silk is a Made in Italy brand of luxury silk accessories that aims to provide customers with unique pieces, which is why they say “Made in Italy for you.” The collection includes pocket squares, neckties, suspenders, scarves, bow ties, pajamas, underwear, and swimwear.

Ci vediamo, until this weekend when we’ll see you in Chicago with this outstanding group of Italian brands!