Style Scions
By
Fall 2005 Style & Design
They grew up in (or married into) the fashion business, learning
firsthand the secrets of manufacturing and retail from their parents,
grandparents and in-laws. But these three men are gaining influence in
the industry without resting on the family name
Matteo Marzotto
38, COO, VALENTINO S.P.A.
CLAIM TO FAME: He is the sixth generation to work in his family's
business, Marzotto S.p.A., which bought Valentino for $210 million in
2002. On his watch, Valentino posted gross operating profits of $293.9
million for 2004, and this summer the company was listed on the Milan
stock exchange as the Valentino Fashion Group, a new spin-off.
PERSONAL STYLE: In 2003 he dated Naomi Campbell for several months. He
is passionate about helicopters and car racing. He competed in the
Paris-Dakar rally in 2004 with his friend Paolo Barilla, heir to the
pasta fortune.
POWER QUOTIENT: Marzotto wields enough power to have briefly toyed with
the idea of replacing Valentino, 73. But after word got out that he was
interviewing candidates, Marzotto re-upped the couturier's contract.
Emanuele Della Valle
30, DIRECTOR, HOGAN
CLAIM TO FAME: Born in Ancona, Italy, Della Valle studied law briefly in
Milan before hitting the road to work in New York City. He eventually
became the marketing director of Hogan, helping build a wholesale
business throughout the U.S. In 2001 he moved back to Milan and started
two companies: FormaPura, which specializes in marketing and
advertising, and Lightbulb Productions.
PERSONAL STYLE: During men's fashion week in Milan in June 2003, he
launched the Hogan Easy Rider Collection with an exhibit of 50
motorcycles.
POWER QUOTIENT: Great-grandfather Filippo was a shoemaker and
grandfather Dorino set up the family's original shoe factory in
Sant'Elpidio a Mare. Dad Diego started Tod's, so Emanuele is a shoo-in
to take over the empire.
Alex Bolen
37, CEO, OSCAR DE LA RENTA
CLAIM TO FAME: Bolen, who is married to De la Renta's stepdaughter
Eliza, spent 15 years on Wall Street and had no experience in fashion or
retail when he started showing up at the designer's Seventh Avenue
offices in January 2003.
PERSONAL STYLE: "At first I thought, 'This really is a recipe for
disaster,'" he says of working with his wife, "but now it's a blast." He
admits, though, that discussions at work can veer toward the
pediatrician's prognosis rather than the latest order from Saks (they
have three children).
POWER QUOTIENT: In very little time, Bolen has managed to open four
high-profile stores. Now he is plotting overseas expansion to Europe and
Russia, plus a menswear line and another fragrance. "I think we can
triple our revenue in the next three to five years," he says.
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