Industry Insider

Behind the scenes of high fashion’s glamorous landscape are the all-important, yet often unseen decision makers. Highly trained and skilled, analytical management teams are charged with translating creative vision into retail success. In order to succeed, this faction of elite executives must possess an array of professional and personal qualities to drive their brand through to the four corners of the globe. They are cultured, well-travelled individuals, exceptional negotiators who are naturally good with languages. When it comes to matters of the stock exchange, marketing and competition assessment, these are the people who know what is necessary to get results.

Alessandro Maria Ferreri belongs to this group of management savants who balance style with sales. Sitting at the helm of Etro’s International Commercial Division, Franchising and Travel Retail, Ferreri focuses on the global development of monobrand boutiques. Hailing from the northern Italian city of Turin, this management engineering graduate has a range of diverse experiences under his belt from working with UN peacekeepers in New York to management roles with the industry’s most prestigious brands. Ferreri worked for worldwide fashion conglomerate Aeffe Group and was Sales Director at Jean Paul Gaultier (when the brand was owned and managed by Hermès) before returning to his native Italy four years ago to join Etro.

Since that time, he has overseen hundreds of the brand’s worldwide boutiques and international offices. A citizen of the world, he travels constantly, attending fashion shows and meetings. Don’t be surprised if you see him sipping cocktails in Buenos Aires one week and grocery shopping at Hong Kong’s Stanley Market the next. We caught up with Alessandro via his Blackberry somewhere between Novosibirsk and Panama City (on a business trip scouting for new development prospects for Etro). We polled him on shopping, style and city tips for our latest issue of Paris...

FERRERI'S PARIS

Favourite French dish?
The pigeon filled with fois gras: the chef Jean Francois Piège, creative soul of Thoumieux restaurant, is a master in this.

Night out in Paris?
Silencio, the first ever David Lynch's spot: To see, to be seen, to meet old friends.

Preferred shopping area?
Marais, next to the Jewish district: a mix of felafel, fashion avantgarde and little interior design shops.

Best late night drink spot?
Le Bar, at Plaza Athénée

Best bakery?
Au Pain de Sucre, rue Rambouteau, to die for.

Favourite piece in the Louvre?
La Belle Jardinière of Raffaello: may just be the best representation of the Virgin Mary

Accessory no man should be without?
An Etro striped shirt of course!