Are you ready to meet the most famous Italian fashion designers?
Along with New York, Paris, and London, the world’s avenue for lavish style and unwavering elegance is in Italy.
Specifically headquartered in Milan and Rome, some of the globally-renowned fashion designers flock here to either showcase ready-to-wear clothes and couture pieces where celebrities and fashion enthusiasts alike rave about each brand’s craftsmanship – a true Italian trait that has been practiced for centuries.
Italian fashion designers are perhaps the true influencers of the past and present trends as they showcase true Italian fashion with flying colors to the world.
In this article, we present you the most famous Italian fashion designers. If you like Italian fashion brands, then you are in the right place.
14 Most Famous Italian Fashion Designers
We have listed the 14 most accomplished Italian fashion designers who have influenced the world’s fashion industry in many significant ways. Let’s jump in.
1. Miuccia Prada
Best recognized for using minimalist designs to bring off a traditional style with modern influence, Miuccia Prada’s name is synonymous with perfection and progressive style when talking about fashion.
Born Maria Bianchi in 1949 in Milan, Italy, she is the youngest granddaughter of Prada founder and original designer Mario Prada. She took the name “Miuccia Prada” when her unmarried maternal aunt adopted her in the 1980s.
Miuccia Prada took over the reigns of the family-owned luxury goods company in 1978. In 1992, she founded Prada’s sister label, Miu Miu, which derives from her own nickname. Playful and bold as opposed to the classic and sophisticated Prada, Miu Miu targets the younger market. It is also a quirky, affordable alternative to Prada.
Prada’s designs have always been inspired by her own personal, history, and preferences. While Prada is a world-famous fashion designer, not many people are aware that she holds a PhD in political sciences. She also used to be a model.
Prada has been married to her business partner, Patrizio Bertelli, since 1978. They have 2 children together, including businessman amd rally driver Lorenzo Bertelli.
2. Giorgio Armani
One of the most famous fashion designers from Italy is Giorgio Armani.
Armani is known for his classical suits in his menswear collection. He is also notable for the costumes he designed for the cinema industry and his couture pieces for his A-list clients, which include some of the hottest Hollywood stars.
One of the only those Italian designers that carry Italian heritage into the fashion world, Giorgio Armani has produced various lines over the course of his career as a fashion designer. Some of these lines include Prive, Armani Collezioni, Emporio Armani, and Armani Exhange.
Giorgio Armani was born on July 11, 1934 in Piacenza, Italy. He attended the University of Milan. He previously worked for Nino Cerutti, Allegri, and Bagutta before founding his own fashion house in 1975.
In 2001, Armani was hailed as the most successful Italian designer for his achievement as a fashion designer and as a pioneer of red carpet fashion.
3. Salvatore Ferragamo
Number three on our list is the ever-iconic Salvatore Ferragamo, one of the most famous Italian designers ever.
Salvatore Ferragamo was born in 1898 in Bonito, Italy, not far from Avellino in the Campania region.
An innovator in shoemaking, he started out as a maker of custom shoes – one of the first designers to do so – and was later tapped by Sophia Loren and Elizabeth Taylor to have their shoes custom-made.
Salvatore Ferragamo brought Italian style to the world years after, later expanding to a number of lines including ready-to-wear, menswear, and timepieces. Ferragamo also ventured into making eyewear and fragrances as well. The brand’s most famous perfume is the Incanto, a sweet-smelling fragrance specifically made for women.
Infusing art, dexterity, and timeless design, Ferragamo is an easily distinguished brand yet readily recognized Italian name in the world.
Salvatore Ferragamo died on August 7, 1960 in Florence, Italy. He was 62 years old.
4. Gianni Versace
Gianni Versace is Italy’s most famous fashion designer, alongside Armani and Valentino. He founded his namesake label in 1978, later known as simply Versace after his assassination in 1997 in his mansion in Miami, USA.
Gianni Versace is known for the colorful silkscreen prints in his designs, with infusion of pop culture labels like Madonna and Vogue covers, among others. His bold approach to pop fashion has been iconized in different imprints of fashion industry.
Versace’s most remembered creation is the safety pin dress, worn by Elizabeth Hurley in the early 1990s, which earned a humongous list of cult followers.
Although it had already began during the heydays of Anna Bayle and Iman, Versace is credited for institutionalizing the start of supermodel era. It was during the time of Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista, Cindy Crawford, and all other famous supermodels that the title reigned supreme.
Gianni would gather the classiest and most in-demand models in his Milan shows without batting an eyelash despite the higher fees demanded by the girls.
Money and fame were on Versace’s side for years, until his sudden demise after a shocking shooting incident in his Miami residence. The fashion world mourned and up to this day, Gianni Versace still inspires a lot of designers – young and old, old and new.
5. Domenico Dolce
Domenico Mario Assunto Dolce, better known as Domenico Dolce, is one of the founding members of the Italian luxury fashion house Dolce and Gabbana, along with Stefano Gabbana.
Born in Polizzi, Generosa, Italy on August 13, 1958, Domenico Dolce is considered one of Italy’s famous designers alive. As partners, he and Stefano founded the eponymous label after an eventful meeting in the early 1980s.
Dolce’s education at Instituto Superiore per le Industrie has helped him create iconic Sicilian designs inspired by the old Italy and other world civilizations, including the influence of gladiators, Greek mythology, and others.
As a collaborator, Dolce is also instrumental in crafting one of Dolce and Gabbana’s iconic hand bag, the D&G Devotion bag. The bag is a fashion staple among fashion elites, enthusiasts, and A-list celebrities.
6. Stefano Gabbana
Next on our list of the most famous Italian designers is Stefano Gabbana, the other half of the eponymous Italian luxury label, Dolce and Gabbana, also known simply as D&G.
Stefano Gabbana was born in Milan, Italy, on November 14, 1962. Together with Domenico Dolce, he co-founded the brand in 1985 and has ever since created beautifully crafted designs that have been worn by numerous figures in the world like Mariah Carey, the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton, and former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Gabbana has shared his passion with his real-life partner Domenico Dolce into creating dresses – the duo started with women’s wear – and always referenced their designs from the Sicilian structures and figures and from the Greek mythology as well.
Reportedly, Gabbana and his partner Dolce also pioneered the Alta Moda shows, a runway show dedicated to the high fashion garments and the intricacy of the work of couture. The success of the shows were mostly broadcasted, graced by Hollywood’s and social media’s biggest stars the likes of Kim Kardashian. The collection was purely dedicated to the fashion influence and lifestyle of the reality star and women’s wear mogul.
7. Donatella Versace
The living legacy of the house of Versace, Donatella Versace herself, is Italy’s most renowned designer in pop culture nowadays.
Born in Reggio Calabria, Italy on May 2, 1955, Donatella Versace is still serving the sexy, flaming-hot designs ever since she took the creative directorship in 1997 after her older brother’s assassination on July 15, 1997 in his Miami mansion.
Donatella Versace did not hold back with her creative juices, often designing revealing clothes – which was not an outcry from the early days of Versace. Her eccentric, coloring technique is perhaps one of her notable works as a designer. She is brave enough to mix and match odd colors in order to create beautiful, boldy-colorful garments as evident with her fashion shows.
Donatella was inspired by her brother’s love for prints, textiles, and sensual motifs. With her impalpable vision, the younger Versace has made the Versace brand one of only few fashion giants in the world to be regarded as the designer of sexy women. From bridal gowns to cocktail dresses and evening gowns, no other designer can reach the level Donatella Versace has created as the chief creative officer.
In 2018, Michael Kors Holdings, Ltd. acquired Versace and there were rumors of Donatella leaving the famed house. But to everyone’s relief, Donatella stayed and retained her position as chief creativer director.
Donatella Versace has married twice. She has two children, Allegra and Daniel. Donatella is also the first-ever muse of the House of Versace.
8. Elsa Schiaparelli
Born to an aristocratic family in Rome, Italy, on September 16, 1890, Elsa Shiaparelli is one of the best Italian fashion designers of all-time.
Having instigated a creative spirit of the 20th century, Elsa Schiaparelli has always been regarded as having such inventive imagination and traditional Italian aesthetics. She is one of the most revered and respected famous Italian designers to date for her numerous collaborations artists such as Marcel Vertès, Alberto Giacometti, and Salvador Dali.
Schiaparelli founded her eponymous house of fashion in 1927. She created the finest wearable art – from knitwear to body-hugging gowns designed with her recognizable gold jewels and accessories.
Since the 1930s, her fashion has continued to endure as it is supervised under the creative minds such as Daniel Roseberry whose recent couture shows have gained international popularity with his glamorous designs and over-the-top garments worn by Cate Blanchet and Bella Hadid.
Schiaparelli died on November 13, 1973 in Paris, France. At a time when fashion was plain and simple, she was the surrealist – the witty one of her generation. After her passing, Elsa Schiaparelli’s legacy continues.
9. Valentino Garavani
An instigator of authentic Italian glamor, Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani – better known as Valentino Garavani – is probably one of the best Italian designers that encompasses classic Italian design and Roman art.
Evident in his fashion shows from the early 1960s to the late 1990s, a reliant on historic European architecture is presented through the meticulous eyes of Valentino Garavani.
Valentino was born on May 11, 1932 in Voghera, Italy. He founded his namesake label in 1960 and since then he was able to create iconic dresses for men and women.
One of the turning points of his career was when he dressed some of the most famous Hollywood actresses the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Jennifer Lopez, Anne Hathaway, and Sophie Turner. His creations have also been worn by Princess Madeleine of Sweden.
In 2008, Valentino retired and was succeeded by Pierpaolo Piccioli along with Maria Grazia Chiuri (from 2008 to 2016, before her helm at Christian Dior). The Valentino brand is currently endorsed by American actress Zendaya and Colombian singer Maluma.
Some of you might not know but Valentino is openly bisexual and has had numerous same and opposite sex relationships with several people, including Italian actress and former model Marilú Tolo and his long-term partner Giancarlo Giametti.
10. Franco Moschino
Long before the peculiar and fun fashion became a craze, there was Franco Moschino who first introduced crazy, often humor-filled fashion in the late 1970s.
Franco was born on February 27, 1950 in Abbiategrasso, Italy, where the region has become his inspiration for his designs. He was schooled at different fashion schools like Maragoni Fashion Institute, Brera Academy, and Florence Academy of Fine Arts.
Known for his funky and querky aesthetics, Moschino is one of the most popular Italian designers of all-time. The Spring-Summer 1987 show of Moschino where he showcased his paper doll couture resulted in a massive cult following.
From Madonna to Winnie Harlow, the Moschino pieces are a certified hit among celebrities. Moschino’s creations range from funny traffic signs to teddy bear intertwined in between hips and neck.
Several fashion critics have raved about his approach to funky aesthetics and visuals that are often mirrored from the realities of humor – the primary subject of Moschino’s collection.
Franco Moschino has created a line for his eponymous label namely Moschino Couture, Cheap and Chic by Moschino, Moschino Uomo, Moschino Jeans, and Moschino Love.
He died of AIDS on September 18, 1994 in Annone di Brianza, Italy.
11. Alessandro Michele
Arguably the most famous Italian fashion designer of the decade is the acclaimed Alessandro Michele, who recently stepped down from the House of Gucci where he had served for a number of years. He was born in Rome, Italy on November 25, 1972.
Since 2002, Alessandro had been working for Gucci as the assistant to the creative designer (at the time, Tom Ford was the designer of Gucci). Since then, Alessandro Michele’s creative juices had led him to transform the House of Gucci into a multi-faceted brand. From his retro garments to kitschy pageant-like aesthetics, Michele made a huge impact to the fashion world.
As a fashion designer, Michele infused his love for aesthetics as the House of Gucci served some of the most exquisite and sometimes out-of-this-world looks which paved the way for Gucci’s notoriety in theatrical fashion where edgy aesthetics meets classic extravagance -not to mention his freaky, geeky version of coats and blazers.
Michele has been awarded the prestigious CFDA Valentino Garavani and Giammetti International Award for his contribution to Italian fashion.
12. Emilio Pucci
One of the first designers in the world to use amazingly-printed colorful prints is the revered Emilio Pucci. He wowed many fashion enthusiasts when he introduced his often eccentric colorful designs in his initial presentation at the Milan Fashion Week during his humble beginnings.
Pucci’s designs became iconic pieces in the world at the time when fashion was plain and simple. Pucci himself is a trailblazer with his abstract creations, kaleidoscopic colors, and Mediterranean backdrops.
Alongside Roberto Cavalli, also a fellow designer of colorful prints, Emilio Pucci parlayed a lifestyle of hue-generated clothing that reflects the colorful Italian culture. He is also known for his ski outfits, to which he made name for himself.
The iconic intertwined koi fishes is perhaps the most revered logo of Emilio Pucci – a symbol of his uncompromised talent and creativity.
13. Roberto Cavalli
Famous for exotic prints and for creating the sand-blasted jeans, native Florentine Roberto Cavalli is the founder of his namesake high-end Italian fashion brand that sells luxury wear, fragrances, and leather accessories.
In the 1970s, Cavalli invented and patented a printing method on leather, and began making patchworks of varying materials. All his clothing is made from the top-quality materials, employing a special tailoring tradition and techniques that made the Roberto Cavalli label one of the world’s leading luxury fashion brands of all time. His opulent designs and bold prints are popular among upscale clients.
In 1980, Cavalli, then a divorcee, married Austrian fashion designer and former beauty queen Eva Düringer, with whom he has three children. They divorced in 2010. According to reports, Cavalli has fathered a baby – his sixth – at the age of 82 in March of 2023. He also has two other children from his first marriage.
14. Guccio Gucci
Last but certainly not least on our list of the most Italian fashion designers is Guccio Gucci, founder of the eponymous high-end luxury brand Gucci.
You can say the most famous surname in the Italian fashion industry to date remains Gucci. It became even more talked about when the acclaimed 2021 biographical crime drama film House of Gucci was released, starring Lady Gaga, Jared Leto, and Al Pacino, among others.
Gucci Founder Guccio Gucci was born in 1881 in Florence. At the age of 18, Gucci moved to London. There the elegant upper-class guests of the Savoy Hotel where he worked and English luggage companies like H.J. Cave & Sons inspired him to start creating luxury luggage and accessories when he came back home to Florence. His father was a leather craftsman, so I guess this is hardly surprising.
Starting as a leather goods company that sold saddles, bags, and other accessories to horse riders in the 1920s, Gucci had the wealthy travelers flock to his stores to buy leather travel goods such as duffel bags and other accessories.
Since 1921, the House of Gucci has evolved from a pioneer in premium leather goods maker to having made statement clothes – from Tom Ford’s sexy-era helm in the 1990s to the recent creative director Michele Alessandro’s kitschy pageant-like aesthetics.
The House has served some of the most exquisite and sometimes out-of-this-world looks which paved the way for Gucci’s notoriety in theatrical fashion where edgy aesthetics meets classic extravagance.