When talking about Made in Italy in the world of fashion, it's not just about the third most recognized brand in the world, but it refers primarily to a set of values.
Made in Italy means creativity, craftsmanship excellence, but also courage, determination. The precious virtues of Made in Italy have contributed over time to building the credibility of the brand, transforming it from a simple origin label into a true lifestyle.
Made in Italy has become great thanks to entrepreneurs who have been able over time to lead the process of change, imposing with their personality a true model of social and economic development based on expertise.
Among these prominent figures, much credit goes to a woman, a mother, whose story seems almost like a novel—tragic at times, disrupted by loss and marked by a lack of financial resources.
We want to take this woman as an example for all those who have a dream and want to make it come true. This is the story of the designer Elisabetta Franchi, who embodies all the values of Made in Italy.
Who is Elisabetta Franchi
Elisabetta Franchi was born in 1968 and comes from a humble Bolognese family of five children. Her mother, who was widowed, struggled hard and courageously to raise her children alone. Since the family had little money, Elisabetta decided to earn a living by doing various temporary jobs.
After various humble jobs, she was hired by a company in the clothing sector, Imperial of Bologna. Imperial specializes in fast fashion, or ready-to-wear, and it was here that Elisabetta learned the craft, working hard.
At Imperial, Elisabetta met Sabatino Cennamo, who held the position of CEO, and who later became her future husband.
Sabatino immediately saw a great potential in Elisabetta’s talent. Elisabetta was determined, eager to stand out, with strong commercial skills and a strong leadership. This is how Sabatino decided to support Elisabetta’s entrepreneurial venture. And he was right. Today, the designer’s company is worth 117 million euros in revenue, about 15 million euros in profit, and an operating margin of 21 million euros.
It all started in the late 90s when Elisabetta and her husband Sabatino Cennamo founded Betty Blue. That same year, the first clothing line called Celyn b was launched. Due to its disruptive creativity, the brand immediately became a great success both in Italy and abroad.
In 2002, the first monobrand store was opened in Viareggio. The following year, another store was opened in Florence, and after some time, one in Bologna.
Four years after the first store, the debut abroad came in Russia. In 2007, other stores were opened in the capital, Moscow.
Made in Italy, understood as Quality, Excellence, and attention to detail, immediately distinguishes Elisabetta's work, which is why the foreign audience and international critics love her creations.
In 2008, the headquarters of the Elisabetta Franchi brand was established in an old, abandoned pharmaceutical company. The space covers about 6000 square meters, nestled in the Bolognese countryside.
Never give up, made in Italy
In 2008, however, another sad moment marked Elisabetta's life: her husband, Sabatino Cennamo, passed away prematurely, leaving her with their daughter Ginevra, who was only a year and a half old.
In September 2011, the brand presented its Spring/Summer collections in Milan during Fashion Week, and it was a tremendous success.
The brand continues its expansion and disruptive success worldwide. Stores are opened in Paris, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Beijing, Hong Kong, and Casablanca.
With the goal of humanizing the brand by highlighting its creator, the brand first became Elisabetta Franchi Celyn b. and then, in 2012, simply Elisabetta Franchi.
In 2013, the private equity firm Trilantic Capital Partners acquired 30% of Betty Blue S.p.A..
2013 brings many new things and also a lot of joy. In this year, her son Leone was born. The child was conceived with Alan Scarpellini, a childhood love.
At the end of 2017, after four years, Betty Blue S.p.A. returned to the hands of Elisabetta Franchi at 100%.
Today, the Elisabetta Franchi brand employs more than three hundred employees and owns over eighty monobrand stores.
Elisabetta is very active on social media, where she has shared her story with 1.5 million followers. Endemol itself produced a documentary titled "Essere Elisabetta."
This is the story of a tenacious woman who knew how to fight and achieve success without ever giving up, one step at a time.
Elisabetta Franchi: “Never give up.”
Editorial credit for images: [https://www.elisabettafranchi.com/it/](https://www.elisabettafranchi.com/it/)
