Milan, a fashion financial hub – The IPO of Moncler is approaching and keeps the interest of the foreign press in the Italian luxury sector high. That’s partly because behind the down garment designer’s sumptuous launch on the stock market (Businessweek, December 2 –How Moncler Turned Lavish, Puffy Coats Into a Lavish, Puffy IPO), the Italian fashion sector is opening up to the market. According to the Washington Post website, the Milan stock market is becoming a financial hub for the sector, taking advantage of the excellence of luxury items and the economy in the Lombard capital (Washington Post – As IPOs return, Milan index aims to be fashion hub).
Building a stronger fashion system also includes the entry of Fondo Strategico di Cassa Depositi e Prestiti in Versace. As the Financial Times puts it, the partner might be most suitable to the fashion house’s business model (December 4 – Italian state fund puts in highest offer for Versace stake; also discussed in Valor Economico – Versace atrai fundo estatal da Itália *).
Internationalization is also approaching for another luxury firm quoted on the Milan stock Exchange. Italian Independent, the brand of Lapo Elkann, announced its entry in the Brazilian eyewear market in 2014 (Valor Economico, December 4 – Lapo Elkann trará grife de óculos ao Brasil em 2014 *). Finally, Maserati is targeting Morocco. The local paper, L’economiste, explained that the Trident is planning to open two new showrooms in Casablanca (November 29 – Maserati: Déjà une vingtaine de commandes).
Ferrero, Mediobanca, Natuzzi: the internationalization of Italian groups – Along with luxury brands, other made in Italy sectors continue to grow and attract the attention of the foreign press. The Wall Street Journal published an interview with Giovanni Ferrero, CEO of the world’s fourth largest chocolate maker, who explained to the US paper the family firm’s global strategy (November 29 – Maker of Nutella and Tic Tacs Confident in Family Hands). And the sofa manufacturer Natuzzi is heading to India. According to the The Hindu Business Line, the company plans to open 15 new stores in the country next year (November 29 – Natuzzi to expand India presence). Exports in general are pulling their weight in Italian manufacturing and, according to the Wall Street Journal, are making a significant contribution to Europe’s industrial activity (December 2 – Italy Helps to Boost Euro-Zone Manufacturing Activity in November).
However, it is not only industrial groups that are interested in international expansion. The Financial Times reported that Mediobanca is foreseeing growth on the European capital market (December 2 –Mediobanca hires veteran adviser to expand European operations).
Design, cinema and tourism Italian style – Finally, there were several stories on Italian lifestyle. The New York Times wrote about the work of industrial designer Idarica Gazzoni (December 2 – For This Italian Fabric Designer, Fantasy Comes in Patterns), while El Mundo turned its attention to supercars in two articles. One was dedicated to the Ferrari 458 Speciale, the Maranello masterpiece (December 4 – Al volante del Ferrari 458 Speciale) and the other reported on the new Lamborghini Veneno Roadster (December 3 – Estreno del Lamborghini Veneno Roadster).
El Pais reported on the restoration of the bronze door of the St. John’s Bapistry in Florence (December 2 – El retorno de la edad del Oro en Florencia), while other articles are dedicated to cinema. The Mexican paper La Jornada wrote about the homage to Fellini by director Tiahoga Ruge (December 2 –Soñando con Tulum…, cinta homenaje a Fellini), and the New York Times discussed on the work by Paolo Sorrentino with an interview about the Fellini touches of his film “The Great Beauty” (December 4 – Paolo Sorrentino on ‘The Great Beauty’ and Italian Alienation).
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