Meet Paolo Galli | Fashion Manager and luxury goods selector

We had the good fortune of connecting with Paolo Galli and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Paolo, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Italy is a beautiful country loved by many Americans, but it is a complicated reality to understand, with ancient traditions and structures different from those of America.

My career has allowed me to observe the Italian reality from an external point of view and I understand how the great potential that exists between the USA (and the countries culturally connected to them) and Italy (and Southern Europe in general) needs of a channel that bring the business in finding the right ways.

I was not surprised that many great deals have not turned out due to differences and difficulties, but it has always amazed me that no one has focused on solving this aspect, rather than simply trying to do business without preparing the ground.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Madestrategy llc is an American company that provides inbound and outbound services in the world of high-level (even emerging) fashion.

The “outbound” services are aimed at American brands (but we also have several important customers in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Central / South America) and are mainly aimed at obtaining an Italian development and production structure, similar to that of the big luxury brands, without running into the risks and difficulties of working from afar. This part is exciting because it allows us to see the idea born and become a product. Sharing the creative process with the designer and allowing him to express himself fully. It is something that gives great satisfaction and allows me to also create solid human relationships. On these services (which I call outbound) we are quite unique, because Madestrategy is neither a manufacturer nor a broker, but a real management structure of Italian and American professionals all with great experience and all from major brands.

The “Inbound” Services are more traditionally oriented to agents and distributors and are in fact the selection of European (mainly italian of course) brands we bring on the American market. Every season we organize a “fashion event” called “APART SHOW” where these brands meet agents, distributors, collaborators, but also customers. Apart is in its tenth edition and is constantly growing.
Apart (the inbound service!) Is also unique for several reasons:
It is not a fair
does not look for “orders” or sales, but looks for the right distribution channels (these channels will be the ones to sell)
It is a fashion event with an after-event service (after closing no tradeshow supports its exhibitors, or visitors!)

Basically it’s what I wanted to find when I was a fashion brand executive.

It wasn’t difficult to achieve all of this … it was over ten years long! It was thrilling and tiring; risky and successful … it was a part of life for me and my partners. We stopped a few times and ran into difficulties and wrong people (who tried to steal ideas and resources), but looking back over our shoulder we can say it all came naturally.

What you learn when trying to start a business, especially internationally, is that difficulties are part of the game and if you don’t intend to face them it is better to let it go. Insist if you think that an idea is right, because stopping at the first difficulty means stopping even before starting.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I don’t understand the question well. With these “inbound and outbound” I got confused. There could be two possibilities:

A) a friend of mine (who I assume to be Italian) should spend a few days in the area where Madestrategy llc is, then Los Angeles.

I love this city so much that I can say that I have been driven it for hours, even at night! I would suggest for the first two or three days to take a classic tourist itinerary, because it is nice to discover those places that are known all over the world thanks to the cinema, the television, in commercials, etc. and rediscover them in reality. TheHollywood Sign, Venice Beach, the Santa Monica Pier, a pool day on a nice rooftop, a Hollywood in.n.out burger, etc. Then I would take him to see what people don’t know about Los Angeles, the crazy nature of this place, an evening in the Art District, the best live music imaginable and certainly the desert experience. Because for a European this it is an almost mystical experience …we Italians have no deserts!

B) A personal friend from Los Angeles, come and visit the area where Madestrategy produces the fashion goods… in Italy!

The structure of the proposal would be exactly the same: the first two or three days according to a traditional tourist itinerary. It is worth it, and is what a foreigner expects from Italy. Venice, Florence, Siena and, with a fast train in a couple of hours, Rome (in reality to see Rome You’d need an entire life!).
After this, I would try to show him the other aspect of the holiday, what tourists do not see. The real luxury of Milan, an exclusive evening in some chef’s restaurant, a concert at the La Scala Theatre, or the incredible experience of the Motor Valley between Modena and Bologna where 60% of super-luxury sports cars are produced. I would certainly try to bring him/her inside some ancient public building, because for an American to use something that was built 2000 years ago and that still works today is a unique experience as for us Italians to live the desert.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The people to whom I owe everything I have are so many: My Father, who was a famous manager in Italy; Giorgio Armani, who hired me in his industrial group years ago; all the collaborators I have had … but most of all, I think I have to thank AMBRA ZAVATTA, excellent designer of a known fashion line, my life partner and business partner in Madestrategy.

Ambra allowed me to rationalize my vision and she brought that feminine concreteness that was necessary for me to give shape to my ideas (in addition to supporting me in life)

Website: www.madestrategy.com

Instagram: madestrategy

Linkedin: https://it.linkedin.com/in/paolo-galli-31547322

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madestrategy