Interview with Davide Magliuolo, founder of the Italian Fashion Show
On a crisp London evening during London Fashion Week, 45 London in the heart of Shoreditch transformed into a celebration of Italian creativity, where fashion, art and culture met under one roof. The Italian Fashion Show, founded by Davide Magliuolo, returned for its third edition, bringing a distinctly Italian sense of elegance and craftsmanship to the capital’s international fashion calendar.
Guests gathered not only for the runway but for an experience that unfolded gradually throughout the two evenings of the event. Before the models stepped onto the catwalk, the space had already taken on a creative atmosphere. Paintings curated by Creations Atelier, featuring works by artists Natalia Giacomino and Paola Minekov, introduced a visual dialogue between art and fashion, setting the tone for an event designed to celebrate creativity in all its forms.
As the audience settled in, anticipation built for the collections of designers Francesco Argiri and Anna Mazzucotelli of Cotiè Couture. Their contrasting visions, one bold and experimental, the other refined and timeless, reflected the diversity and vitality of contemporary Italian design.
Pilar Marzuco founder and director of Fairness Magazine with Italian mum influencer Guendalina Mazzullo – mumguen18
Behind the event is a growing ambition: to build a cultural bridge between Italy and London through fashion. We spoke with Davide about the origins of the Italian Fashion Show, the vision behind this year’s edition and the plans for taking the concept to an international stage.
How did the Italian Fashion Show in London begin?
The idea of bringing the Italian Fashion Show to London was born very naturally. After years dedicated to promoting Made in Italy through food and cultural events in the UK, I began asking myself why not expand into another field where Italy truly excels: fashion.
Interview with Davide Magliuolo, founder of the Italian Fashion Show
On a crisp London evening during London Fashion Week, 45 London in the heart of Shoreditch transformed into a celebration of Italian creativity, where fashion, art and culture met under one roof. The Italian Fashion Show, founded by Davide Magliuolo, returned for its third edition, bringing a distinctly Italian sense of elegance and craftsmanship to the capital’s international fashion calendar.
Davide Magliuolo, founder of the Italian Fashion Show
London, with its international spirit and openness to innovation, felt like the perfect stage. The initial spark came through a personal connection with an Italian designer, which helped transform the idea into a concrete project. From there, the concept evolved into bringing an Italian fashion format to one of the world’s most influential fashion capitals during London Fashion Week.
Which edition of the event was this? Has it grown since it began, and why was this venue chosen?
This was the third edition of the Italian Fashion Show. However, it is also the first edition organised under a new and more structured framework, driven by a strong vision for future growth and expansion.
The choice of venue happened quite organically. A special thanks goes to Richard, the venue manager, who is Italian and immediately embraced the concept. That shared cultural connection strengthened the collaboration from the start.
The goal is for this venue to become the symbolic home of the Italian Fashion Show in London, a place where the event can grow, evolve and build a strong identity year after year.
Which designers showcased their collections this season?
Two Italian designers were selected for this edition: Sicilian designer Francesco Argiri and Anna Mazzucotelli, representing the couture brand Cotiè Couture.
Both designers reached out directly to the organisation, and their collections immediately stood out for their strong identity and emotional impact.
What makes these designers unique, and why were they invited to present during London Fashion Week?
They were invited because their collections were deeply inspiring while being completely different from one another.
One collection was bold, experimental and fashion-forward, edgy in the most sophisticated sense. The other was elegant, classic and timeless.
This contrast allowed the show to speak to two different audiences, highlighting distinct personalities and interpretations of contemporary Italian fashion. Together, they created a powerful narrative about diversity, creativity and character within Italian design.
Designer Spotlight
“Fashion is, to me, an intimate and silent language. Through light, shadow and transparency, it reveals who we are before we even speak — our soul laid bare in a play of emotions.”
Francesco Argiri is an Italian designer known for a refined aesthetic that blends traditional Italian craftsmanship with a contemporary vision. At the Italian Fashion Show, he presented a collection that embodies his unmistakable style, a bold yet elegant expression of modern Italian identity. His work bridges traditional tailoring with innovation, making it particularly suited to a cosmopolitan stage like London, where avant-garde ideas and cultural heritage coexist.
Cotiè Couture by Maria Carla Rodomonte and Anna Mazzucotelli
“Cotiè Couture is elegance shaped through passion, research and authenticity.”
Cotiè Couture was born from the entrepreneurial vision of Maria Carla Rodomonte and the creative talent of Anna Mazzucotelli, who joined the brand not only as Creative Director but also as co-founder. Together they have developed a modern couture label that expresses refined femininity, identity and contemporary elegance. Each piece reflects deep respect for sartorial tradition combined with a fresh and confident creative voice.
Tell us more about the beautiful models who brought the collections to life on the runway. How important is it for the Italian Fashion Show to create opportunities for emerging talent?
Several of the models came from a modelling school, giving young local talent the opportunity to step onto an international fashion stage. This reflects the event’s commitment to nurturing emerging creatives and building bridges between Italian excellence and London’s vibrant fashion community.
What does it take to organise an international fashion event?
Organising an event of this scale requires immense work, responsibility and pressure. Designers and collections need to be flown in from Italy, international guests and VIPs must be hosted, and every detail must align with the expectations of an international audience.
What truly made the difference this year was the strong sense of teamwork. With the fantastic support of Sara Spampinato and her team, the group grew stronger with each edition, balancing professionalism with trust and a shared vision. Seeing the increasingly positive feedback from supporters and attendees has been one of the most rewarding parts of the journey.
Why include art in a fashion show?
Art was an important element of this year’s show, helping to present a broader vision of creativity beyond fashion. The artistic curation was brought into the event through Creations Atelier, which introduced works by artists Natalia Giacomino and Paola Minekov.
Their work complemented the spirit of the evening by creating a dialogue between different creative disciplines and international perspectives. The presence of their paintings transformed the space, allowing guests to engage with art and culture even before the runway began.
In this way, the event offered a 360-degree creative experience where visual art and fashion coexisted, highlighting how different forms of contemporary creativity can intersect and enrich one another.
What’s next for the Italian Fashion Show?
The vision for the future is clear: international growth. The Italian Fashion Show aims to expand beyond London and bring this format to other cities around the world.
The event will continue to take place in alignment with London Fashion Week in February and September each year, with the next edition scheduled for September.
The event was supported by carefully selected Italian brands, including Bertotti Gelato, which delighted guests with authentic Italian flavours, and Paesano, which provided the alcoholic beverage sponsorship.
