Renzo Rosso, Founder Deisel SpA, believes future survival of Italy’s small fashion players depends on partnerships. Italy’s maverick fashion entrepreneurs need to work together and create a more united front as the country lacks a national luxury-sector champion, unlike France, which has dominant companies like LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE and Kering SA, Rosso says. He advises entrepreneurs to adopt the French model and act together.

Grouping Italian branded goods businesses together can increase their competitiveness, lead to technological growth and enhanced ability to develop sustainable products, he adds.

Rosso’s Only the Brave holding company or OTB, has already acquired a collection of fashion brands, including Maison Margiela, Viktor&Rolf, Marni and Jil Sander, He plans to buy more brands in future. OTB, which had sales of over $1.6 billion last year, could also seek a stock-market listing, Rosso added.