3 historical Italian brands you should know if you love fashion

Once upon a time, a young craftsman from humble origins invented the hats all the realm craved. Then, there was a trailblazing woman with bold business instincts. And also a designer the Devil loved.

Read these stories in our special fashion guide for dummies and learn more about three historical brands from Northern Italy that have shaped the legend of the Italian aesthetic: Borsalino, Andrè Maurice and Prada.

It's a journey through style that moves from the runways of Milan, the international capital of prêt-à-porter, into the wardrobes of the coolest trendsetting elite.

Join us as we explore the world of Made in Italy featuring McArthurGlen Serravalle Designer Outlet.

Borsalino, Andrè Maurice and Prada. Three iconic names that embody the spirit of Made in Italy. Three distinct stories, united by the ability to create enduring value through time. Join us as we retrace their journeys through tradition, creativity and modern vision.

Each of these heritage brands projects its own version of the Italian fashion story — a global success rooted in craftsmanship, attention to detail, and an unwavering devotion to quality.

Our journey unfolds at the McArthurGlen Serravalle Designer Outlet, Europe’s largest designer outlet, just an hour from Milan. With over 230 stores, it brings together iconic fashion houses, top sportswear labels and international brands — all with up to 70% off savings.

Be inspired by these extraordinary stories. Read on and then try a one-of-a-kind shopping experience at Serravalle Designer Outlet.

At just 23, Giuseppe Borsalino was already a skilled craftsman, having spent years honing his talent for luxury hat-making in Paris.

When he returned to his hometown of Alessandria, fresh from the training in France, he founded the firm Borsalino Giuseppe & Fratello. According to historical accounts, the brand's very first hat was crafted in the small workshop on Via Schiavina on 4 April 1857.

It was the beginning of a story that would leave a deep and lasting mark on Italian style. Before long, almost everyone was wearing a Borsalino, a name so famous that it even made its way into the Oxford Dictionary.

The most iconic model, the one that redefined menswear codes, was created in the 1870s: a soft felt hat with two distinctive front dimples in the points where it is typically held.

A simple accessory soon became a timeless symbol of elegance. Even Hollywood fell under its spell. On the screen, a Borsalino crowned the heads of Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca, Robert De Niro in Once Upon a Time in America and The Untouchables, Robert Redford in Out of Africa, and Marcello Mastroianni in 8½. Furthermore, in the 1970s, Borsalino became the title of a cult film (and its sequel) starring Alain Delon.

As the brand's prestige grew, so did the Alessandria factory. But even as industrial innovation advanced, craftsmanship always came first: to this day, it still takes over 50 hand-finished steps and up to seven weeks to create a perfect felt hat. Up to six months for a piece made from hand-woven straw.

Borsalino's legacy is now safeguarded by the Borsalino Foundation, which promotes exhibitions, events and educational initiatives to preserve the brand's entrepreneurial spirit and artisanal heritage.

The best place to explore the full Borsalino story and delve into Italy's hat-making culture is the Borsalino Museum in Alessandria. Set in the grand Palazzo Borsalino and home to over 2,000 hats, the space showcases the creative dialogue that has long connected the Piedmontese brand with the worlds of art, design, fashion and cinema.

Borsalino is one of the historical Italian brands you can buy at the McArthurGlen Serravalle Designer Outlet.

For four generations, the Scagliotti family has been weaving a story of beauty, craftsmanship and a deep sense of place through their high-quality garments.

Their legacy draws on a prosperous heritage of handcraft expertise. Unsurprisingly for a company so deeply rooted in its origins, this also speaks volumes about Andrè Maurice's homeland, the Monferrato region.

It all began with the entrepreneurial spirit of Giulia Allario in Scagliotti, who started a small-scale artisanal production from her home in Roncaglia, in the Piedmont hills, in 1921.

From those modest beginnings in the aftermath of the First World War grew a proud tradition, now expressed in Andrè Maurice’s exceptional knitwear and cashmere collections.

For over a century, the brand has built a strong identity with a tailored approach that combines innovation and heritage. Each collection celebrates the value of craftsmanship and the authenticity of Made in Italy, with every stage of production taking place at the brand’s historic headquarters in Casale Monferrato.

Every step — from sourcing the finest yarns to the creative process and final finishing — is carried out with care and direct control.

This commitment to artisanal excellence also reflects a broader sense of responsibility, with the goal of achieving full energy efficiency and leaving a positive impact on the local environment.

Wearing an Andrè Maurice piece means embracing an ethical vision of fashion, where every detail tells a story of passion, tradition and skill.

Experience the quality of this iconic knitwear maison up close at McArthurGlen Serravalle Designer Outlet.

Founded in Milan in 1913 as a boutique for luxury leather goods, Prada is today one of the most influential names in the global fashion landscape.

The turning point came with the arrival of Miuccia Prada Bianchi in 1971. The founder's granddaughter brought a totally new vision: minimalist, unconventional, and often deliberately at odds with the mainstream.

Her distinctive aesthetic transformed a small brand into a global icon of unorthodox elegance. As Ms Prada once said, she wasn't interested in creating glamorous dresses but rather "ugly clothes made with ugly fabrics". Ugly chic, as it would come to be known.

Her groundbreaking approach earned some of the industry's highest accolades, including the Outstanding Achievement Award at the 2018 Fashion Awards and the International Designer of the Year from the Council of Fashion Designers of America in 1994 and 2004.

Miuccia's genius lies in her ability to read the cultural moment and translate it into the language of fashion. With a degree in political science, acting training at Milan's Piccolo Teatro, and a background in 1960s activism, she brought an intellectual and cultural sensibility to the family business and turned it on its head.

Her first game-changer was a black nylon handbag — an unexpectedly practical item for a luxury label — that would become a maison classic. Then came the shoe collections and the debut of women's prêt-à-porter in the 1980s, the first Miu Miu show in 1993, the menswear line in 1994, Prada Sport in 1997, and the cosmetics line launch in 2000.

Constant research into fabrics, construction, and aesthetics has always played a central role. On the runway, Prada has moved from '90s minimalism to the eclectic influences of the 2000s, with collections that made fashion history: retro prints, opulent brocades, feathered skirts, crochet tops, and those unforgettable flaming heels.

When it comes to Prada, nothing is ever predictable. Disharmony, so natural in life, art and cinema, has finally found its way into a world like fashion, long dominated by narrow beauty standards.

Alongside the runway success, Miuccia Prada and her husband Patrizio Bertelli have also championed contemporary art through their Fondazione Prada, the cultural institution founded in 1993 to support exhibitions, artistic initiatives, and educational programmes.

Prada is one of the prestigious labels available at McArthurGlen Serravalle Designer Outlet.