The Italian Cultural Institute of San Francisco and the Consulate General of Italy in San Francisco had the immense pleasure of hosting Federico Marchetti at INNOVIT – Italian Innovation & Culture Hub in San Francisco, where he presented his newly released book, “Fashion & Innovation: THE GEEK OF CHIC – An American Dream Italian Style.”
In an evening dedicated to Italy’s continued commitment to fostering dialogue between culture, technology, and entrepreneurship, Consul Davide Corriero, on behalf of the Consul General, and the IIC’s Interim Director Mario Zaccagnino opened the event, further strengthening ties between Italian excellence and the San Francisco community. In his remarks, Consul Corriero underscored how the professional journey of Federico Marchetti exemplifies what in Italy is known as l’ingegno italiano—a distinctive blend of creativity, long-term vision, and technological expertise.
From his early intuition at the turn of the millennium—launching YOOX, the first lifestyle e-commerce destination and Italy’s first “unicorn”—to building YOOX Net-A-Porter (YNAP) into a global leader in online luxury, Marchetti demonstrated that Italian innovation can compete successfully on the world stage, including alongside Silicon Valley, while remaining firmly rooted in its cultural heritage.
Today, as Chair of His Majesty King Charles III’s Sustainable Markets Initiative Fashion Task Force, a board member of Giorgio Armani S.p.A., and a leading advocate for initiatives such as the Digital Product Passport and regenerative business practices, Marchetti continues to help redefine the future of fashion and luxury. His work promotes sustainability, responsibility, and respect for cultural heritage—principles that closely reflect Italy’s enduring values of craftsmanship, intergenerational responsibility, and a holistic understanding of excellence.
The evening also provided an opportunity to pay tribute to Maria Manetti Shrem, whose lifelong dedication to art, culture, healthcare, and philanthropy in Northern California and internationally remains a source of inspiration.
Special thanks were extended to Mauro Aprile Zanetti for his engaging dialogue with Federico Marchetti for his important role as a bridge between Northern California’s innovation ecosystem and Italy’s cultural and entrepreneurial landscape.
Once again, INNOVIT affirmed its role as a dynamic hub where culture and technology engage in meaningful exchange. The discussion extended well beyond business success, addressing critical questions about how to innovate responsibly, honor tradition while embracing transformative change, and remain globally competitive while staying anchored in one’s identity.
