Five Italian fashion startups to watch in 2022

A wave of sustainable fashion startups is emerging in Italy, particularly in central regions where new business formation exceeds the national average by 30%. These ventures focus on upcycling, natural dyes, and reclaimed fabrics to create a greener Made in Italy. Among them, Sunvitalestudio, founded in Bologna by Alessandro Falce and Giovanna Cariello during the pandemic, produces handmade garments from vintage finds and natural yarns. Garbage Core, a Milanese project by Giuditta Tanzi (2019), creates unique upcycled pieces, maintaining imperfections to tell their history. Provincia Studio, led by Serena Novello in Veneto, uses deadstock fabrics and recycled glass from Murano, producing everything within 50 km. Evropa is a collective that operates as a 'no flag zone' think tank, using certified sustainable materials and shipping only once a month. À Forma focuses on adaptability of form, studying silhouettes to celebrate diversity. The University of Bologna has launched a call for its StartUp Day to support innovation culture. These startups leverage e-commerce and social media, reflecting a shift toward circular economy and slow production.