Family-owned brand Stefanel has seen its success reach unbelievable heights with the management of Chairman Giuseppe Stefanel. Starting from a simple Italian knitwear factory and growing into a multi-national industrial group, Stefanel has spread its vast expertise unto the helms of sportswear, prêt-a-porter and jeans, delivering timeless Italian know-how for the woman of today. And now, he is taking up the Middle-East, with his first boutique opening in the UAE.
The company was established by your late father in the 50s. Have you always dreamt of working in this field?
From the moment I was born, I can say that my career was already mapped out for me, so I never really thought about other options. I started working at a very young age, without having the opportunity or the time to travel around after my studies.
How did a knitwear factory grow into the luxury label it is today?
In my opinion, it all goes back to our family culture. Our business is something my father started many years ago and producing knitwear and sweaters with the right machines is an art that has always been incorporated in our DNA. Evidently so, this art is our competitive advantage and our forte, which has been developed through the craftsmanship of yarns.Perhaps our ultimate goal would be to keep this forte on the forefront of our brand, most importantly because whenever one thinks about Stefanel, knitwear automatically comes to mind. It’s true that our glorified base relies on knitwear, but other elements are making it to the top as well. Lastly, innovation has proved to be our driving force, as we not only offer a diversity in styles, but a diversity in textiles as well that ranges from silk to cashmere, cotton, wool and many more.
We gather that your price-quality ratio is exceptional. Do you believe it played a massive role in acquiring the fashionable hearts of jet-setters?
I think that having the correct “mix” is very crucial to the success of a brand and can lead you to great achievements. For me, quality is extremely important and it is basically the asset I rely on the most. The consumer of today understands very well this price-quality ratio and constantly looks for ways to spend less money, hence the dire importance of this equation. Although some of our products are a bit pricier, their quality stands as a great justifier.
What would be your number one fabric?
It would definitely be Cashmere or Silk. But then again, every market has different sets of characteristics. For example in the Gulf, lighter fabrics would definitely make the cut – such as light cashmere- and since the aforementioned market is warmer, we are actually doing a special collection entitled the “Ramadan collection”, which will be in stores by the end of May and featured on some local models.
Who is the Stefanel woman?
The Stefanel woman is the perfect combination of someone who is not too aggressive, nor too classic. She’s someone who elegantly stands on the middle ground, perfectly representing our label. The Stefanel look is hence easy to pull-off, comfortable and fit for our everyday adventures.
Could you tell us more about your first boutique opening in the UAE?
Well I am very happy with the outcome of this endeavor and I’m looking forward for our brand to get recognized in this market.
Does this passion run through your children’s blood as well?
Yes, my children are currently working with me, thought it wasn’t something I forced on them. In my opinion, giving them the freedom was the best option, as it was solely their decision to participate in this growing business. For instance, my son is now in charge of all commercial aspects.
On a more personal note, what would be your favorite travel destination?
You could say that I’m not a big fan of beach destinations. I am actually a nature-lover, which would explain my love for Scotland, Ireland and similar countries.
Cindy Menassa
