Hire in fashion and design
US brands hire in Italy to be close to the mills, workshops and factories that make their products. The typical first hire is not a designer in Milan but a product developer who spends half the week at suppliers.
Usual CCNL
Textile and clothing industry (Tessile-abbigliamento) for product and production roles. Commerce and services for showroom, retail and wholesale.
Typical roles
Product developers, sourcing and production managers, quality control, designers, pattern makers, showroom and wholesale managers, furniture and lighting designers.
Where they are
Milan for design and showrooms. Districts: Como (silk), Biella and Prato (wool), Florence and Arezzo (leather goods), Veneto (footwear), Brianza (furniture).
Salary bands
| Role | Gross annual salary |
|---|---|
| Product developer | [€ range to verify] |
| Sourcing / production manager | [€ range to verify] |
| Showroom manager | [€ range to verify] |
What to know
- Peaks around fashion weeks. Showrooms need extra people for a few weeks per season. Fixed-term contracts handle this, within limits on duration and renewals.
- Designs and samples. Contracts assign design rights and confidentiality to your company, so collections stay yours.
- Freelancers are common, and risky. Many designers work on VAT numbers for one brand. If they work only for you, on your schedule, that is employment. We convert them.
- Working with suppliers. An employee on your side checks quality and timelines at the factory. They do not need your company to own anything in Italy.
- Part-time works well. Experienced pattern makers and quality controllers often work part-time for several brands. Part-time contracts are simple to set up.
Cost example
A product developer based in Florence on [€ gross]: salary, contributions, 13th month, TFR, travel to suppliers on actuals, plus €250 per month. Use the calculator for the base cost.