Francesco Fiordelli

A passionate scholar of Chinese culture and history, he has followed the evolution of China and the development of its fashion market since 2002, with particular attention to the mid-range, upper-mid-range, and luxury segments. Since 2009, he has been based in Shanghai and has divided his time between his consulting studios in Shanghai and Milan.

As a chief designer and brand consultant, he has worked with the following Chinese brands:

• 2008–2012: SHANGHAI TANG
• 2009–2011: QIPAI / 7 BRANDS — International formal menswear collection
• 2011: PT. FINI — Luxury total-look menswear collection
• 2012: KONZEN — Complete collection for a younger generation
• 2014: BOSIDENG — Luxury total-look menswear collection
• 2013–2015: SORGERE — Luxury total-look menswear collection for China Garment Co., Ltd.
• 2016: ENJOY NATURE — China’s first fully eco-conscious collection, made entirely with natural materials and dyes and produced under the supervision of the Suzhou Municipal Government

Between 2011 and 2013, he facilitated the first cooperation agreements between Italian industry associations and the China National Garment Association, the China Fashion Association, and China Fashion Week.

The first two Sino-Italian Fashion Summits—held in Beijing in 2012 and Milan in 2013—were organized and coordinated by Mr. Fiordelli at the request of the Chinese government and the Beijing Municipal Government.

Francesco Fiordelli was also the first professional dedicated to bringing promising Chinese brands to Italy to present during Milan Fashion Week and at Pitti Uomo in Florence. These included NE·TIGER, SUNFED, EVE, WHITE COLLAR, JIWENBO, and the Suzhou Art & Design Technology Institute, the first Chinese college to enter the official calendar of Milan Fashion Week.

Earlier Career

Born into an old Tuscan family, he completed his secondary education before studying fashion at the Marangoni Institute in Milan. He later graduated from the École Supérieure des Arts Appliqués in Paris, specializing in fashion design and fashion marketing.

At the age of 23, while still a student, he was recruited by Valentino and invited to join the fashion house in Rome as an assistant.

In 1986, after Valentino, he joined GFT at the age of 26. He later helped relaunch Lacoste’s image worldwide and created Adidas Active Wear, the German brand’s first leisurewear collection.

During his career, he worked with the Turin-based GFT Group three times: first as a menswear designer at the age of 26; then as a designer for Emanuel Ungaro Paris menswear and womenswear; and finally, in 2002, as chief designer for the relaunch of the group following a change of ownership.

Following a collaboration of more than ten years with the Marzotto–Hugo Boss Group, where he served as chief designer of the design studio, DKNY commissioned him to design its Asian collection. This led him to explore emerging Asian markets and, in 2001, develop a strong interest in China.

Between 1985 and 2012, he designed for:

• Womenswear: FLORENTINE FLOWER, MAX MARA, EMANUEL UNGARO, SHANGHAI TANG
• Menswear: GFT Group, INGHIRAMI Group, MARZOTTO Group, HUGO BOSS, SHANGHAI TANG, DKNY
• Sportswear: SUPERGA, ADIDAS, LACOSTE
• Accessories: MAGLI, GUCCI, LAURA BIAGIOTTI, SHANGHAI TANG, DKNY

From 1987 to 2000, he worked as a consultant and later as creative director for Itochu, Japan.

From 1995 to 2007, he taught master’s-level courses at Marangoni and NABA in Milan.

Francesco Fiordelli has extensive knowledge of the European, U.S., South American, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese markets.