WWD Reports Winners of Altagamma’s Believing in the Future Competition
Italy’s top executives and entrepreneurs attended the “Luxury & Finance” dinner on Thursday evening to honor the most promising new Made in Italy talents. Held at the Nilufar Depot, where open room-sets showcase a wide-ranging collection of vintage and contemporary design pieces, the event bestowed the “Young Enterprise Award — Believing in the Future,” a mentorship program created by Fondazione Altagamma and realized with L’Uomo Vogue, the Italian Bourse and Maserati.
The fashion award was granted to accessories brand Alvaro, designed by the Spanish-born Álvaro González; Bea Bongiasca won the jewelry award, and DAA won for the design category, among other awards that ranged from food to digital.
“It’s an opportunity for these brands to develop their business internationally. It concretely offers support,” said Vogue Italia editor in chief Franca Sozzani of the initiative.
Altagamma gave a yearly membership as part of the emerging brands category and a mentorship through meetings at the companies that belong to the Italian luxury goods foundation. The Bourse is poised to help link the start-ups to international funds and investigate their potential interest.
“This is an opportunity to find important allies to grow internationally,” said Raffaele Jerusalmi, chief executive officer of the Bourse.
“Creativity is fundamental but financial support can help develop it and grow it in many different directions,” observed Sozzani.
“Young enterprises represent the future and are so important for the Italian economy,” echoed Andrea Illy, president of Altagamma.
In addition to the association’s vice president Armando Branchini, guests included Brunello Cucinelli, Gianluca Brozzetti and Maria Cristina Buccellati; siblings Ennio and Carlo Capasa; Laudomia Pucci; Paolo Zegna; Pietro Beccari; Gian Giacomo Ferraris; Lapo Elkann and Andrea Tessitore; Pier Luigi Loro Piana; Remo Ruffini; Francesco Trapani; Ferruccio Ferragamo and Michele Norsa; Stefano Sassi and Federico Marchetti.