Italian fashion highlights craftsmanship and tailoring traditions

The Italian fashion landscape is seeing a resurgence of traditional craftsmanship through both individual designers and international competitions. Designer Giuseppe Di Morabito draws significant inspiration from his Calabrian roots, blending the memory of his family's sartorial traditions with a dual focus on masculine tailoring and hyper-femininity. His collections, worn by global figures such as Beyoncé and Cher, reflect the landscapes and cultural identity of his upbringing.

In Milan, the sixth edition of the ‘Milano su misura – Trofeo Arbiter’ has brought together twenty-four tailors from around the world, including participants from Sweden, Hong Kong, Xi’an, and Singapore. Directed by Franz Botré, the competition emphasizes that bespoke tailoring should express individual identity rather than merely fitting a mannequin. This year’s theme, ‘style on a boat and on the dock,’ explored how practical maritime needs, such as wind protection, historically shaped classic aesthetic codes like the double-breasted jacket.