Some entrepreneurial stories seem to begin like fairy tales, and that of Inghirami is one of them. We are in the heart of Tuscany, in Sansepolcro, a village where the beauty of Renaissance art meets the concreteness of craftsmanship. It was here in 1949 that a young lawyer with a penchant for elegance decided to bet everything on needle, thread and passion. His name was Fabio Inghirami, and the company that bears his surname was born right in his living room, thanks to a 7 million lire loan from his parents and 24 sewing machines on the ground floor of his home. His goal? To produce high-quality men’s shirts, designed to last, fit well, travel beyond Italian borders and become a symbol of Made in Italy worldwide.
When Made in Italy was still an idea
In the 1950s and 1960s, ‘Made in Italy’ was not yet the identifying and prestigious brand we know today. Yet Inghirami had it all figured out. 1959 saw the birth of Ingram, a brand designed for the international market (it is no coincidence that the name sounds American). It launched the legendary Cottonstir shirt on the market: elegant, practical and above all… it didn’t need to be ironed. For the time, it was a true domestic revolution. From then on, growth is constant. The company did not limit itself to producing shirts, but became a point of reference in Italian menswear. It acquires brands, develops complete collections, and creates integrated supply chains. Today, the portfolio includes names such as Sanremo, Reporter, Ingram, and important licences such as Ungaro Uomo. A complete men’s fashion house that speaks the language of Italian quality, but looks to the world.
A family business looking far ahead
Over time, the leadership changes hands, but remains in the family. Today, Tommaso Inghirami, the founder’s grandson, holds the company’s reins. A third-generation manager, Tommaso has brought a contemporary approach to the group, maintaining strong ties with the roots but broadening the horizon. And the numbers prove him right. Today, the group has a turnover of around 40 million euros, with around 300 employees, and production is distributed in 4 factories in Tuscany and Umbria. Moreover, more than 30% of the turnover comes from abroad, especially from Europe and the Middle East, with new strategies in the pipeline to expand in Asia as well.
Archivio Inghirami: past, present and… designer fabrics
One of the most interesting ideas of recent years is that of Archivio Inghirami: an exclusive, limited edition collection that takes the company’s historical fabrics and revives them in a contemporary key. A project that combines intelligent nostalgia with a taste for research, aimed at those looking for an authentic garment, with a true story to tell. It is no coincidence that some of these fabrics are so rare that – as Tommaso himself says – it would be almost impossible to reproduce them today: ‘they were fabrics made with looms that no longer exist’. A cultural operation, as well as a commercial one, which brings Made in Italy quality as a value back to the centre.
A passion that is passed on
Testifying to the genuine passion that drives the Inghirami family is Tommaso Inghirami’s passion for hand-cranked sewing machines, of which he is a great collector, a symbol of the company’s origins. Some of these, like small industrial monuments, are on display in the Sansepolcro headquarters. A way of remembering every day where everything started. Many of the company’s historical staff still work in Sansepolcro. Many employees are in their second or third generation in the company. Some started as apprentices in the 1980s and today teach the trade to newcomers. A production microcosm that is also a big family.
Towards the future with strong roots
Inghirami’s future is played out along several lines. One is certainly internationalisation, with important work on positioning Made in Italy brands in the medium-high markets. Another is sustainability, which is now more central than ever. The company has launched collaborations with realities such as Rifò, a Tuscan start-up specialised in regenerating fabrics, to create garments with a low environmental impact, but always with the style and attention to detail that distinguish the group.
Inghirami proves that Italian fashion can remain true to itself even while innovating. It is the perfect balance between a well-ironed shirt and a fresh idea, between a hand-made seam and a digital strategy. It is a company that, although rooted in the post-war period, still has much to say in this hyper-connected present.
Congratulations to those who bring Made in Italy tradition and craftsmanship to the world.
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