Italian fashion is still a jobs engine and a global export powerhouse, with €92.3 billion in exports in 2022 and turnover of €105.3 billion that climbed 10.2% year over year. Yet the regional picture is strikingly uneven, from Lombardy’s 182,000 fashion workers to Tuscany’s 78,000, alongside a shift in how brands make and source materials. We pull together the figures behind employment, where garments land, and what sustainability looks like in practice, including recycled inputs and the drop in water use in leather tanning.
Key Takeaways
- The Italian fashion industry employed 551,000 people directly in 2022, with 4.1 million indirect jobs supported.
- In Lombardy, 182,000 workers were employed in fashion in 2022, 33% of national total.
- Veneto region's fashion sector employed 140,000 in 2022.
- Italian fashion exports totaled €92.3 billion in 2022, up 16.5% from 2021.
- France was the top destination for Italian fashion exports at €18.2 billion in 2022.
- USA imported €15.6 billion in Italian fashion goods in 2022.
- In 2022, the Italian fashion industry achieved a total turnover of €105.3 billion, accounting for 5.6% of Italy's national GDP and showing a 10.2% growth from 2021.
- The prêt-à-porter segment of Italian fashion generated €46.5 billion in revenue in 2022, representing 44% of the total industry turnover.
- Italian luxury fashion exports reached €92.3 billion in 2022, with a 16.5% year-over-year increase driven by demand from Asia.
- Italian fashion industry invested €450 million in sustainable materials in 2022.
- 45% of Italian fashion companies adopted circular economy practices by 2023.
- Water usage reduced by 25% in leather tanning to 12 liters/kg in 2022.
Italy’s fashion industry powered 2022 exports and growth, employing millions and advancing sustainability with circular practices.
Related reading
01 · Category
Employment And Workforce28 stats
01
The Italian fashion industry employed 551,000 people directly in 2022, with 4.1 million indirect jobs supported.
02
In Lombardy, 182,000 workers were employed in fashion in 2022, 33% of national total.
03
Veneto region's fashion sector employed 140,000 in 2022.
04
Tuscany fashion employment stood at 78,000 workers in 2022.
05
Campania's leather and footwear employed 52,000 in 2022.
06
62% of Italian fashion workers were women in 2022.
07
Average annual salary in Italian fashion was €28,500 in 2022.
08
15,000 apprentices were trained in fashion in Italy 2022.
09
Fashion industry vacancy rate was 4.2% in Italy 2022 due to skills gap.
10
78,000 jobs created in Italian fashion post-COVID by 2022.
11
Milan metropolitan area hosted 45% of fashion headquarters jobs in 2022.
12
SMEs in fashion employed 92% of workforce in Italy 2022.
13
Youth employment (under 30) in fashion was 22% of total in 2022.
14
Artisan workshops employed 120,000 in fashion supply chain 2022.
15
Fashion retail jobs totaled 210,000 in Italy 2022.
16
Manufacturing jobs in fashion: 180,000 in 2022 Italy.
17
Design and creative roles: 35,000 employed in 2022.
18
Logistics and supply chain fashion jobs: 65,000 in 2022.
19
Digital marketing specialists in fashion: 12,000 jobs in 2022.
20
Sustainability managers in fashion firms: 2,500 roles in 2022.
21
Export department staff in fashion: 18,000 in Italy 2022.
22
R&D technicians in fashion: 8,200 employed 2022.
23
Fashion educators and trainers: 9,500 in Italy 2022.
24
Union membership in fashion workforce: 28% or 154,000 members 2022.
25
Part-time workers in fashion retail: 45% of 210,000 jobs 2022.
26
Immigrants in fashion manufacturing: 15% of workforce 2022.
27
Turnover rate in fashion jobs: 11.5% annually 2022.
28
Training hours per fashion worker: 28 hours/year average 2022.
Interpretation
Employment And Workforce Interpretation
In 2022 the Italian fashion industry directly employed 551,000 people and relied on a further 4.1 million indirect jobs, while women made up 62% of the workforce, showing both the sector’s large employment footprint and its strong gender-skewed labor structure.
02 · Category
Exports And Trade30 stats
01
Italian fashion exports totaled €92.3 billion in 2022, up 16.5% from 2021.
02
France was the top destination for Italian fashion exports at €18.2 billion in 2022.
03
USA imported €15.6 billion in Italian fashion goods in 2022.
04
Germany received €12.4 billion Italian fashion exports 2022.
05
China exports from Italian fashion: €8.9 billion in 2022.
06
UK market for Italian fashion: €7.3 billion exports 2022.
07
Japan imported €5.1 billion Italian fashion in 2022.
08
Spain: €4.8 billion Italian fashion imports 2022.
09
Russia pre-sanctions: €3.2 billion, dropped to €1.1B in 2022.
10
UAE: €2.9 billion Italian fashion exports 2022.
11
Footwear exports: €14.2 billion in 2022.
12
Leather goods exports: €6.5 billion 2022.
13
Textiles exports: €12.8 billion from Italy 2022.
14
Prêt-à-porter exports: €38.4 billion 2022.
15
EU accounted for 62% of Italian fashion exports in 2022.
16
Extra-EU exports grew 20% to €35.1 billion in 2022.
17
Fashion exports per capita in Italy: €1,560 in 2022.
18
Imports of fashion raw materials: €18.7 billion 2022.
19
Trade surplus in fashion: €73.6 billion in 2022.
20
E-commerce fashion exports: €9.2 billion 2022.
21
Duty-free exports value: €4.5 billion to duty-free shops 2022.
22
Sustainable fashion exports: €15.4 billion certified 2022.
23
Americas region: 22% of exports €20.3B 2022.
24
Asia-Pacific: 18% €16.6B Italian fashion 2022.
25
Middle East: 8% €7.4B exports 2022.
26
Africa exports: €2.1 billion fashion 2022.
27
Online platforms drove 25% export growth to China 2022.
28
Luxury leather to USA up 18% to €4.2B 2022.
29
Italian fashion trade fairs generated €25B orders 2022.
30
Gucci represented 12% of Italian luxury exports in 2022.
Interpretation
Exports And Trade Interpretation
In 2022, Italian fashion exports surged to €92.3 billion, up 16.5% from 2021, underscoring how strong international demand is driving the industry’s trade expansion.
More related reading
03 · Category
Market Size And Revenue30 stats
01
In 2022, the Italian fashion industry achieved a total turnover of €105.3 billion, accounting for 5.6% of Italy's national GDP and showing a 10.2% growth from 2021.
02
The prêt-à-porter segment of Italian fashion generated €46.5 billion in revenue in 2022, representing 44% of the total industry turnover.
03
Italian luxury fashion exports reached €92.3 billion in 2022, with a 16.5% year-over-year increase driven by demand from Asia.
04
The Made in Italy fashion sector contributed €7.8 billion in value added to the Italian economy in 2021.
05
In 2023, the Italian footwear industry within fashion reported sales of €14.2 billion, up 8.7% from the previous year.
06
The Italian leather goods sector generated €6.5 billion in turnover in 2022, with luxury brands leading at 65% market share.
07
Fashion accessories in Italy reached €12.1 billion in revenue in 2022, boosted by jewelry and eyewear segments.
08
The denim and casual wear segment of Italian fashion hit €8.9 billion in 2022 sales.
09
Italian fashion e-commerce sales grew to €5.4 billion in 2022, comprising 5.1% of total industry revenue.
10
The high-end couture segment generated €2.3 billion in 2022, with Milan Fashion Week contributing significantly.
11
In 2021, Italian fashion industry investments totaled €4.2 billion, focusing on digital transformation.
12
The sportswear fashion subsector in Italy reported €7.6 billion turnover in 2022.
13
Italian fashion R&D spending reached €1.1 billion in 2022, or 1.05% of total turnover.
14
The childrenswear segment generated €3.4 billion in Italy in 2022.
15
Plus-size fashion in Italy grew to €1.2 billion market value in 2022.
16
Italian fashion wholesale revenue was €68.7 billion in 2022.
17
Retail fashion sales in Italy totaled €36.6 billion in 2022.
18
The swimwear and beachwear sector hit €850 million in 2022 turnover.
19
Italian fur and leather apparel generated €1.9 billion in 2022.
20
Home textiles fashion segment reached €2.7 billion in Italy 2022.
21
In 2023 Q1, Italian fashion turnover grew 12.4% to €28.5 billion annualized.
22
Luxury fashion alone accounted for €54.2 billion of Italy's 2022 fashion revenue.
23
Mid-market fashion segment turnover was €32.1 billion in 2022.
24
Fast fashion production in Italy generated €18.4 billion in 2022.
25
The eyewear fashion industry in Italy reported €5.3 billion sales in 2022.
26
Jewelry fashion segment turnover €11.2 billion in 2022 Italy.
27
Italian fashion advertising spend was €2.8 billion in 2022.
28
Licensing revenue for Italian fashion brands €1.5 billion in 2022.
29
Italian fashion tax contributions €15.7 billion in 2022.
30
Projected 2023 Italian fashion turnover €112.8 billion with 7.1% growth.
Interpretation
Market Size And Revenue Interpretation
In 2022, Italy’s fashion industry totaled €105.3 billion in turnover and the data show that luxury and key apparel categories are driving scale, with prêt-à-porter bringing in €46.5 billion and luxury exports reaching €92.3 billion, up 16.5% year over year, underscoring strong revenue momentum within the Market Size And Revenue category.
04 · Category
Sustainability And Trends26 stats
01
Italian fashion industry invested €450 million in sustainable materials in 2022.
02
45% of Italian fashion companies adopted circular economy practices by 2023.
03
Water usage reduced by 25% in leather tanning to 12 liters/kg in 2022.
04
60% of Prada collections used recycled materials in 2022.
05
Gucci achieved 98% renewable energy in supply chain 2022.
06
Organic cotton usage in Italian fashion up 35% to 15,000 tons 2022.
07
Carbon emissions down 18% industry-wide since 2015 to 4.2M tons CO2 2022.
08
72% of brands certified GOTS or OEKO-TEX in 2022.
09
Vegan leather production hit 2.5 million sqm in Italy 2022.
10
Digital fashion shows reduced CO2 by 80% vs physical in 2022.
11
30% growth in upcycled fashion sales €1.2B 2022.
12
Biodiversity projects funded €50M by fashion firms 2022.
13
Traceability tech adopted by 55% of supply chains 2022.
14
Microplastic reduction in polyester to <1% in 40 brands 2022.
15
Fair wage premium paid to 200,000 workers 2022.
16
Gen Z consumers prefer sustainable Italian brands 68% 2023 survey.
17
Athleisure trend sales €4.5B up 22% 2022.
18
Digital twins used in 25% design processes 2022.
19
Phygital retail experiences in 35% Milan stores 2022.
20
AI-driven personalization boosted sales 15% 2022.
21
Resale market for Italian luxury €800M 2022 growth 40%.
22
Neutral color palettes dominated 55% SS23 collections.
23
Heritage revival trend in 42% FW22 shows.
24
Inclusivity: 28% models diverse body types Milan FW22.
25
Metaverse fashion sales €120M from Italian brands 2022.
26
Wellness wear segment €2.1B 25% growth 2022.
Interpretation
Sustainability And Trends Interpretation
Italian fashion sustainability is accelerating fast, with €450 million invested in sustainable materials in 2022 and 45% of companies adopting circular economy practices by 2023, signaling a clear shift toward measurable, trend-setting progress.
report visual · Comparison
Italian fashion jobs and workforce: size, regional concentration, and representation (2022)
Italy’s fashion sector employed hundreds of thousands directly, with concentrated employment in key regions and a strong female share among workers (all for 2022).
The Italian fashion industry employed 551,000 people directly in 2022, with 4.1 million indirect jobs supported.551,000
Veneto region's fashion sector employed 140,000 in 2022.
140,000
62% of Italian fashion workers were women in 2022.
62%
In Lombardy, 182,000 workers were employed in fashion in 2022, 33% of national total.
33%
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Nathan Caldwell. (2026, February 13). Italian Fashion Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/italian-fashion-industry-statistics
MLA
Nathan Caldwell. "Italian Fashion Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/italian-fashion-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Nathan Caldwell. 2026. "Italian Fashion Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/italian-fashion-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
83 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level