Miuccia Prada, the 63-year-old designer at the helm of Prada and Miu Miu, has voiced her concern that the dispersion of Italian talent and brands could see the country's fashion industry fall into a "second league", report WWD .
In a rare interview with Italian newspaper La Repubblica , the designer cautioned that although Italy is the best country in terms of production, she is worried that its renowned factories and workers could become mere contractors in the fashion manufacturing industry.
Prada warns that "the sale of our luxury labels to foreigners" - possibly alluding to the recent buy-out of Valentino by the Qatar royal family for £556 million - puts the entire system at risk: "Because if our brands cross our borders, the credit, glamour, fame and decision making is in the hands of others, and we are abandoned, downgraded," she explained.
The designer, who has a Ph.D in political science, went on to accuse the Italian press of not taking the industry seriously and not recognising how many jobs and sales it generates. She said that the outside view was that the nation, famous for its Milan Fashion Week shows, has "less resources, culture, protagonists, ideas, vitality and money."
Quoted as saying: "fashion goes elsewhere, looking for the best", Miuccia shows Prada's sister line, Miu Miu, during Paris Fashion Week, Milan's neighbouring rival.
Via: Is Italy losing its high-fashion gloss?
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