Carlo Capasa
President of Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana
Carlo Capasa is the president of the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana (CNMI), the non-profit association that coordinates and promotes Italian fashion and organises Milan Fashion Week. A former fashion entrepreneur who co-founded Costume National, he has led the chamber since June 2015.
| Role | President, Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana |
|---|---|
| Since | June 2015 |
| Previously | Co founder and chief executive of Costume National (1986 to 2016) |
| Born | 1958 |
| Nationality | Italian |
Who is Carlo Capasa?
Carlo Capasa is an Italian fashion executive and the president of the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana (CNMI), the national body that disciplines, coordinates and promotes the development of Italian fashion. Born in 1958, he came to the role after three decades as an entrepreneur, which gives him an unusual perspective as the head of a trade association: he has run a fashion company himself.
Career
In 1986 Capasa co founded the label Costume National with his brother, the designer Ennio Capasa, and served as its chief executive. The brand built an international following for its minimalist, rock influenced tailoring and received favourable reviews around the world. The brothers exited the company in 2016.
In June 2015 Capasa succeeded Mario Boselli as president of CNMI. He has since been re elected for successive terms, most recently in July 2026, when the assembly unanimously confirmed him for 2026 to 2028. At the same meeting CNMI launched Il Bello della Moda, an observatory developed with McKinsey and Company to measure the economic, employment, educational, cultural and social value of fashion in Italy. The chamber's honorary presidents are Giuseppe Modenese and Mario Boselli.
Influence on the fashion business
CNMI was founded in Rome in 1958 and is now based in Milan. Its members include many of the most prominent Italian houses, among them Prada, Gucci, Valentino, Salvatore Ferragamo, Zegna, Max Mara, Missoni and Moncler. Under Capasa the chamber has organised its work around four strategic pillars:
- Storytelling and the international image of Italian fashion
- Support for new talent and emerging designers
- Digitalisation of the industry and its events
- Sustainability across the supply chain
Sustainability has been a defining theme of his presidency. CNMI describes itself as a world leader among fashion chambers on the issue and published a sustainability manifesto for Italian fashion in 2012. The chamber also hosts the Green Carpet Fashion Awards in Milan, launched in 2017 with the sustainability consultancy Eco Age. Capasa has also worked to keep Milan Fashion Week competitive with Paris, London and New York at a time of rapid change in the luxury market.
Why it matters
Italy is one of the world's most important fashion manufacturing nations, with a dense network of mills, workshops and suppliers behind its famous brands. As president of CNMI, Capasa is one of the main voices representing that ecosystem to government, buyers and the international press. His combination of brand building experience and institutional leadership makes him a central figure in debates about how Italian fashion balances heritage, craftsmanship, sustainability and digital transformation.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Carlo Capasa?
Carlo Capasa is the president of the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, the association that promotes Italian fashion and organises Milan Fashion Week. He has held the role since June 2015 and previously co founded and ran the label Costume National.
What is Carlo Capasa known for?
He is known for leading Italy's national fashion chamber through a period of change, with a strong focus on sustainability, new talent and digitalisation. Before that he built Costume National with his brother Ennio from 1986 until 2016.