From head to toe, via the legs… Made in Italy fashion excels in every accessory, including stockings.
Just like those created by the Tuscan entrepreneur and fashion designer Emilio Cavallini, who, by fusing style and art, has transformed an everyday accessory like tights into a bold and innovative design element. His career, which began in the 1960s, is a journey that bridges fashion, art, and technological experimentation.
The beginnings: from Tuscany to London
Born in 1945 in San Miniato, Tuscany, Cavallini began his studies in Economics at the University of Florence, but soon abandoned them to follow his passion for fashion. He moved to “Swinging London”, where in the mid-1960s he designed, almost by chance, the first collection of striped tights, worn by Mary Quant under her legendary miniskirts. An international Made in Italy success.
From the very beginning, the designer stood out for his unconventional approach: geometric patterns, optical effects, bright colours and avant-garde materials soon became Cavallini’s signature.
The founding of Stilnovo and international success
In 1970, Cavallini founded Stilnovo in San Miniato (PI), where he produced tights for many well-known brands and distributed them worldwide. Thanks to his innate artistic talent, he has collaborated with major brands, including Dior, Balenciaga, Gucci, Alexander McQueen, Calvin Klein, and Chanel. In 1980, he launched his line of tights under the brand name Emilio Cavallini, which was an immediate success. Cavallini’s creations have brought Made in Italy to the world and have walked the catwalks of Paris, London, New York and Milan, worn by models, actresses and style icons who have transformed tights into a must-have accessory. Cavallini’s creations are appreciated by celebrities such as Lady Gaga, who wore them during the filming of the movie “Joker: Folie à Deux”, Madonna and Laura Pausini.
Technological innovation: seamless clothing
Cavallini has always invested in innovation and technology, experimenting with innovative yarns such as microfibres, lurex, stretch cotton and recycled fabrics. In the 1980s, they revolutionised clothing production by introducing seamless garments, made with large cylinder machines designed initially for hosiery. This innovation led to the creation of garments that enveloped the body like a second skin, combining comfort and futuristic design.
Tights as a manifesto
Emilio Cavallini’s tights are graphic works, featuring net, polka dots, stripes, spiral motifs, as well as lettering and unexpected details. They are designed to be noticed, to break monotony and to express one’s personality. A Made in Italy style statement that never goes unnoticed.
Not only aesthetics, but also technology and innovation: the use of the latest generation elastic fibres, seamless processing, and an almost maniacal attention to comfort make each garment extraordinarily pleasant to wear as well as beautiful to look at. The men’s and children’s lines also expand the offer, confirming the brand’s ability to cater to different times and personalities.
Sustainability and the future
In recent years, the Emilio Cavallini brand has firmly embraced the theme of sustainability, investing in production processes with low environmental impact and eco-friendly materials. The choice of recycled yarns, the adoption of energy-saving technologies and the promotion of ethical and responsible production represent a further step forward in the company’s philosophy. The aim is to offer beautiful, innovative and planet-friendly socks, addressing an increasingly attentive public.
The art of nylon: from catwalks to galleries
In addition to fashion, Cavallini has always had a deep passion for art. In the 2000s, he began creating art installations using tights as the primary material, exploring themes such as emptiness and fullness, repetition, and symmetry. His works have been exhibited in prestigious venues, including the Milan Triennale in 2011.
For his contribution to fashion, President Cossiga awarded him the title of Cavaliere del Lavoro in 1986, and Oscar Luigi Scalfaro that of Commendatore in 1993.
A legacy of freedom and style
Today, Emilio Cavallini represents much more than a fashion brand: it is a symbol of freedom of expression, unconventional elegance, and a femininity that dares and reinvents itself. It is proof that even a detail like a sock can transform a look, or an entire day.
And Stilnovo continues to produce millions of tights every year and export them all over the world.