Italian fashion crisis deepens as menswear faces creative stagnation

The Italian fashion industry is experiencing a severe downturn, with clothing and accessories consumption dropping 9.3% in April 2025, according to Confimprese-Jakala data. Global luxury groups LVMH and Kering reported revenue declines of 2% and 14% respectively in Q1 2025. Hundreds of Italian manufacturing firms have closed in the past year. In response, Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana and Zalando convened a third Fashion Talk in Milan. Claudia d'Arpizio of Bain & Company noted consumer confidence is at historic lows, worsened by US administration events. CNMI president Carlo Capasa urged a return to marketing serving creativity. The menswear sector, despite a 0.6% export growth in 2024 and a trade surplus of €3.6 billion, faces a creative crisis driven by a return to safe formal suits. Upcoming events Pitti Uomo (June 17-20) and Milan Fashion Week (June 20-24) may signal whether the trend will shift.