From Italy to China: A career journey

My connection to China goes back nearly two decades before I moved permanently to Shenzhen.

In 1995, as chief operating officer at Borbonese — a luxury Italian brand specializing in bags and suitcases — I traveled to inspect a factory near Shenzhen for potential outsourcing. Back then, I witnessed an urban landscape dotted with cranes and signs of rapid growth, although I didn’t fully grasp the pace of Shenzhen’s development.

My early work focused on expanding production beyond Italy’s numerous subcontractors, which gradually led me to opportunities with larger fashion houses. I was later invited by Patrizio Bertelli, CEO of Prada, to join the Milan-based conglomerate and develop their leather goods business. That role sharpened my skills in managing complex vertical organizations, complementing the hands-on experience I gained with smaller companies like Borbonese.