14 – From Armani to Regenerative Cotton: Federico Marchetti’s Vision for Responsible Fashion

Your host Alex Shevelenko welcomes Federico Marchetti, the entrepreneur who reshaped luxury retail by founding Yoox Net-a-Porter, a public company later sold in a transaction valued at $6 billion. Today, Federico serves on the board of Giorgio Armani and leads large-scale initiatives in digital innovation and regenerative sustainability.

Together, they explore how creativity and business discipline can coexist at scale—and why this combination is the real competitive edge for brands navigating rapid digital change. Federico shares the origins of bringing luxury fashion online, long before e-commerce was mainstream, and what it takes to build something enduring in a market where everyone else looks the same.

He also discusses his current work with leading fashion houses, including the rollout of digital product passports, regenerative materials, and supply-chain transparency. Federico opens up about lessons from collaborating with Giorgio Armani and King Charles, the importance of being a “doer” around visionary leaders, and why courage—not shortcuts—has shaped every step of his journey.

Federico also highlights themes from his new book, The Geek of Chic: American Dream, Italian Style, written to inspire the next generation to take risks and stay true to themselves.

To continue the conversation with Federico, connect with him on LinkedIn.

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