Miroglio

Miroglio is an Italian textile and fashion group based in Alba, Piedmont. Its business developed from the family’s earlier drapery trade into an integrated industrial operation covering textile manufacture, fabric finishing, apparel production, fashion-brand management, and retail distribution. The group’s origins date to 1947, when Giuseppe Miroglio moved beyond trading and invested in the production of silk fabrics and the installation of looms. This industrial direction was expanded during the 1950s: Vestebene, the predecessor of the group’s fashion division, was created in 1955 for the mass production of women’s clothing, and a dyeing, textile-finishing, and printing facility was added in 1958. These steps connected fabric production with garment manufacturing and established a vertically oriented operating model. During the 1970s, Miroglio began relocating portions of apparel production outside Italy, first to Greece and later to Mediterranean countries including Tunisia and Egypt. Its textile activities also broadened into threads, yarns, and transfer papers. In parallel, the group added manufacturing operations in southern Italy, particularly in Apulia. This period combined international production expansion with diversification of the textile platform. Miroglio also built a portfolio of women’s fashion brands. Elena Mirò was introduced in 1985, while the group later developed or managed labels including Caractère, Diana Gallesi, Motivi, Oltre, Fiorella Rubino, and Luisa Viola. Motivi was launched in 1993. The company’s fashion activities have generally focused on women’s ready-to-wear, while the broader group has retained capabilities in fabrics and textile technologies. The group also formed relationships with established fashion designers, including alliances reported in the 1980s with Moschino and Krizia. Internationalization continued through the acquisition of a production site in Sliven, Bulgaria, in 2001, a joint venture with China’s Elegant Prosper in 2004, and the purchase of a stake in Turkish womenswear group Ayaydin in 2008. Miroglio’s retail footprint reached approximately 1,000 stores by the end of 2006. Its published profile describes operations in 41 countries, with around 1,100 branded stores, including stores in Italy, Turkey, and the Middle East. The group has also operated three brands— Ipekyol, Machka, and Twist—through a partnership with the Turkish Ipekyol Group. A separate technology business, Sublitex, specializes in water-free transfer printing on paper and technical film. Its applications extend beyond apparel and fabrics to fashion-related products and architectural surfaces. This activity gives Miroglio a position not only as a fashion operator but also as a supplier of textile and decorative-printing technology. In December 2019, Alberto Racca became chief executive officer. In March 2024, Miroglio acquired Trussardi as an independent brand based in Milan. The transaction broadened the group’s portfolio beyond women’s ready-to-wear into menswear, accessories, leather goods, and lifestyle products. Miroglio therefore combines a historic Italian textile manufacturing base with a multi-brand fashion and retail strategy, while continuing to develop international partnerships and specialized textile technologies.

Miroglio’s industrial history began in Alba in 1947, when Giuseppe Miroglio transformed a family background in drapery trading into textile manufacturing. His initial expansion involved producing silk fabrics and installing looms, establishing the foundation for a business that would later combine textile production with clothing and retail. The group’s move toward integrated fashion manufacturing accelerated in the 1950s. Vestebene was founded in 1955 as a division focused on the mass production of fashionable women’s clothing. In 1958, Miroglio opened a modern facility for dyeing, special fabric finishing, and textile printing. The addition of these processes linked the production of cloth to the manufacture of garments and gave the company capabilities across much of the fabric-to-apparel chain. In the 1970s, Vestebene began shifting portions of production away from Italy. Greece was an early destination, followed by production activity in Mediterranean countries such as Tunisia and Egypt. At the same time, the textile division expanded beyond fabrics into threads, yarns, and transfer paper. Miroglio also opened additional manufacturing operations in southern Italy, with a particular concentration in Apulia. The group established a social and cultural foundation in 1973. Initially known as Fondazione Opera Elena Miroglio and later as Fondazione Elena e Gabriella Miroglio, it supported cultural, welfare, and social initiatives. Its activities included assistance for employees, childcare and holiday programs for employees’ children, scholarships, and recreational support for retirees. Miroglio developed a broader fashion-brand portfolio from the 1980s onward. Elena Mirò was launched in 1985. The group also formed strategic alliances with fashion designers such as Moschino and Krizia, and subsequently developed or managed labels including Caractère and Diana Gallesi. Motivi was introduced in 1993. The group’s retail and apparel activities were principally associated with women’s ready-to-wear, while the textile division continued to supply fabrics and related technologies. International expansion became more pronounced in the following decades. In 2001, Miroglio entered Bulgaria through the acquisition of a production site in Sliven. In 2004, it created a joint venture with China-based Elegant Prosper, a company associated with mid- and upper-market women’s fashion. By the end of 2006, the group operated approximately 1,000 stores. In 2008, it acquired a stake in Turkish womenswear group Ayaydin. The same year, the closure of the Ginosa production site in Apulia led to parliamentary questions and debate concerning the industrial and employment consequences. Miroglio’s later structure combined fashion brands, retail operations, manufacturing, and specialist textile technology. Its Sublitex business became associated with water-free transfer printing on paper and technical film for textile, fashion, and architectural applications. The group also managed three brands— Ipekyol, Machka, and Twist—through a partnership with the Turkish Ipekyol Group. Reported operations covered 41 countries and approximately 1,100 branded stores, including a large Italian network and stores in Turkey and the Middle East. In December 2019, Alberto Racca became CEO. A major strategic development followed in March 2024, when Miroglio acquired Trussardi as an independent brand based in Milan. The acquisition expanded Miroglio’s portfolio into menswear, accessories, leather goods, and lifestyle categories. The company’s development thus reflects a progression from an Alba-based textile manufacturer to an international fashion and retail group with both consumer brands and business-to-business textile capabilities.

1. 2024Trussardi acquired

   Miroglio acquired Trussardi as an independent Milan-based brand, broadening its activities into menswear, accessories, leather goods, and lifestyle.

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2. 2019Alberto Racca appointed CEO

   Alberto Racca became chief executive officer in December 2019.

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3. 2008Stake acquired in Ayaydin

   Miroglio acquired a stake in Turkish womenswear group Ayaydin.

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4. 2006Retail network reached approximately 1,000 stores

   By the end of 2006, the group was reported to manage approximately 1,000 stores.

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5. 2004Joint venture formed in China

   Miroglio formed a joint venture with Elegant Prosper, a Chinese company serving the mid- and upper-market womenswear segment.

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6. 2001Entry into Bulgaria

   Miroglio entered the Bulgarian market through the acquisition of a production site in Sliven.

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7. 1993Motivi launched

   The Motivi fashion brand was launched as part of Miroglio’s expanding apparel portfolio.

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8. 1985Elena Mirò launched

   Miroglio introduced the Elena Mirò womenswear brand.

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9. 1973Foundation established

   Fondazione Opera Elena Miroglio, later renamed Fondazione Elena e Gabriella Miroglio, was established to support cultural, welfare, and social initiatives.

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10. 1958Textile finishing and printing expanded the production chain

    Miroglio opened a plant for dyeing, special fabric finishing, and textile printing, strengthening integration between fabrics and garments.

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11. 1955Vestebene founded

    Vestebene was created as the group’s mass-market fashionable womenswear division and later became associated with Miroglio Fashion.

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12. 1947Miroglio established in Alba

    Giuseppe Miroglio established the company in Alba and began moving the family business from drapery trading into silk-fabric production and loom-based manufacturing.

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Integrated Italian textile and fashion platform combining industrial textile capabilities, multi-brand apparel, retail distribution, and specialized transfer-printing technology.

• Miroglio textile fabricsTextiles1947

  Miroglio’s historic industrial platform includes the production and finishing of textile fabrics, originally with a strong emphasis on silk. The group added dyeing, special finishing, and textile-printing capabilities in the 1950s, supporting both internal apparel manufacturing and broader textile applications.

• Yarns and threadsTextile materials

  As the textile division diversified, Miroglio expanded into threads and yarns alongside its fabric activities. These materials formed part of the group’s broader textile-manufacturing and supply-chain capabilities.

• SublitexTransfer-printing technology

  Sublitex is Miroglio’s specialist transfer-printing business. It focuses on water-free printing onto paper and technical film for textile, fashion, and architectural uses, giving the group a technology and materials activity in addition to its consumer fashion brands.

• Elena MiròWomen’s ready-to-wear1985

  Launched in 1985, Elena Mirò is one of Miroglio’s principal womenswear brands. From 2005 to 2020, it was positioned toward women’s clothing in more generous size ranges. The brand forms part of the group’s direct-to-consumer fashion portfolio.

• MotiviWomen’s fashion1993

  Motivi is a Miroglio fashion brand launched in 1993. It is part of the group’s women’s apparel and branded-retail portfolio.

• OltreWomen’s fashion

  Oltre is one of the womenswear labels managed within Miroglio’s multi-brand fashion and retail platform.

• Fiorella RubinoWomen’s fashion

  Fiorella Rubino is a Miroglio womenswear brand distributed through the group’s branded retail network.

• Diana GallesiWomen’s fashion

  Diana Gallesi is one of the established womenswear labels in Miroglio’s fashion portfolio.

• Luisa ViolaWomen’s fashion

  Luisa Viola is a womenswear label included among the brands managed by Miroglio.

• TrussardiFashion and lifestyle

  Trussardi became part of Miroglio in March 2024 through an acquisition structured around the independent Milan-based brand. Its categories extend Miroglio’s portfolio into menswear, accessories, leather goods, and lifestyle products.

• Ipekyol, Machka, and TwistWomen’s fashion

  Miroglio manages Ipekyol, Machka, and Twist through a partnership with the Turkish Ipekyol Group. These brands add Turkish fashion and retail operations to the group’s international portfolio.

• 2024Acquisition of TrussardiM&A

  Miroglio pursued portfolio expansion beyond its established women’s ready-to-wear brands and textile operations.

  What changed. In March 2024, Miroglio acquired Trussardi as an independent Milan-based brand.

  Aftermath. The acquisition broadened Miroglio’s market coverage to menswear, accessories, leather goods, and lifestyle products.

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• 2008Investment in AyaydinM&A

  Turkey was an important growth market for Miroglio’s fashion and retail activities.

  What changed. Miroglio acquired a stake in Turkish womenswear group Ayaydin in June 2008.

  Aftermath. The investment strengthened the group’s connection with the Turkish womenswear market.

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• 2008Closure of the Ginosa production siteStrategy

  Miroglio reviewed its manufacturing footprint in southern Italy amid broader international production activity.

  What changed. The group shut down its Ginosa production facility in Apulia.

  Aftermath. The closure prompted parliamentary questions and public debate regarding its industrial and employment effects.

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• 2004Joint venture with Elegant ProsperM&A

  Miroglio sought to strengthen its presence in international womenswear markets, including China.

  What changed. In December 2004, the group formed a joint venture with Chinese company Elegant Prosper, which specialized in mid- and upper-market womenswear.

  Aftermath. The arrangement extended Miroglio’s international fashion activities into China.

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• 1970Shift toward Mediterranean productionStrategy

  During the 1970s, Miroglio faced the need to expand and reorganize apparel manufacturing beyond its Italian base.

  What changed. Vestebene moved part of its production first to Greece and later to Tunisia, Egypt, and other Mediterranean locations, while the textile business diversified into yarns, threads, and transfer paper.

  Aftermath. The change established a more geographically distributed manufacturing model and broadened the group’s textile activities.

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• 2024Miroglio acquired Trussardi

  Miroglio acquired Trussardi as an independent Milan-based brand, extending its portfolio into menswear, accessories, leather goods, and lifestyle products.

  M&A
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• 2019Alberto Racca became CEO of Miroglio

  Alberto Racca took over as chief executive of the Miroglio Group in December 2019.

  Leadership change
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• 2008Miroglio’s Ginosa production-site closure prompted parliamentary debate

  The closure of Miroglio’s production facility in Ginosa, Apulia, generated parliamentary questions and public debate in Italy.

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1. Miroglio