Giorgio Armani and the business he developed provide the perfect example of the evolution of the Italian Fashion System from the perspective of the designer. He began as a pure designer, and then gradually acquired various production facilities into his company on his route to becoming a fashion and lifestyle powerhouse.

The YSL brand, like Dior, also moved from a single status to a member of a luxury conglomerate (this time PPR/Gucci Group), although the route taken was a bit different. We can learn from the bumps in the road on this one.