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Raffaello Napoleone

Chief Executive, Pitti Immagine Srl.

He has raised the visibility of one of the world’s most important fashion trade shows with initiatives like rotating guest designers.

Biography

As Chief Executive of Pitti Immagine Srl, a non-profit Italian organisation working to promote the fashion industry, Raffaello Napoleone oversees the bi-annual fashion trade fairs Pitti Uomo, Pitti Bimbo and Pitti Filati in Florence, as well as the Super fashion fair in Milan. Pitti Uomo, considered one of the most important trade fairs within the industry, plays an integral role in connecting designers and labels with global buyers and retailers. Each season, the organisation also invites young guest designers to show at the trade fair. Previous participants have included Raf Simons , Gosha Rubchinski, Jil Sander , Undercover, Kenzo, Maison Kitsune, Peter Pilotto and Damir Doma.

Prior to joining Pitti Immagine in 1989, Raffaello served as Head of Personnel at Salvatore Ferragamo and as General Secretary at the Florence offices of Les Laboratoires Servie, a French-owned pharmaceutical company. A graduate of the University of Rome with a degree in law, Raffaello has completed further studies in Executive Management and Marketing at Stanford University. A prominent member within the Italian fashion community, the Italian executive has consulted for several fashion companies and in 2001 set up the Polimoda Consulting Company in collaboration with the Polimoda School of Fashion Design & Marketing.

Since his appointment as Chief Executive of Pitti Immagine, the organisation has extended its operations to include several new trade fairs including the Fragranze fair in 2004 for artisan perfumes and Taste, the fair dedicated to excellence in flavours and food lifestyle.

Career

Pitti Immagine

Pitti Immagine

Chief Executive

1989 - Present

Florence, Italy

Salvatore Ferragamo

Salvatore Ferragamo

1986 - 1989

Florence, Italy

Les Laboratoires Servier

Les Laboratoires Servier

1984 - 1986

Education

Stanford University

Stanford University

University of Rome

University of Rome

Vital Statistics

Nationality

Italy

Location
Italy
Member since
2013

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What is The BoF 500?

The people shaping the global fashion industry, curated by the editors of The Business of Fashion, based on nominations and on-the-ground intelligence from around the world.