Interview with Michele and Federico Giglio - Illustration by Leonardo Floresvillar

01/27/2014

With six specialised boutiques in the centre of Palermo, just a stone’s throw away from the historical Piazza delle Croci, they have given a home to important, well known names in Italian and foreign fashion. From Michele Giglio and then with his sons Giuseppe and Federico the business has grown to become a real landmark company for style and the backdrop for international events. What’s the secret of its success? Guaranteed style and maximum attention to customers.

Given the way recent sales have gone what fashion trends have stood out the most?

There’s been a return to a more refined style which is neither brash nor showy. At the moment our customers are very interested in quality and above all items that are Made in Italy.

What’s the most important quality of a successful buyer?

Knowing how to read international trends and filter them for their customers.

You have six shops in the heart of Palermo, yet the traditional shop window is increasingly facing the challenges of e-commerce. What has changed in your work since the web came on the scene?

We have a more international vision and a much broader and wide ranging selection of products.

Welcoming and assisting customers when choosing what to buy is of crucial importance. Do you follow precise rules when dealing with customers?

We pay the utmost attention to all our customers irrespective of their spending capacity.

What would you like to see in the future of fashion and Italian fashion in particular?

We would like to see a strong return to Italian brands and not see the immense wealth of craftsmen and excellent Italian small businesses that we have here in this country be lost or go out of business.