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I’m the first to admit that I spend too much time looking at fashion online. That sizeable investment of seconds (ahem, or hours) has allowed me to become fairly familiar with the retail landscape.
So when I stumbled upon a website that I didn’t know much about — that also ships to Canada — it had me curious.
Headquartered in Los Angeles, italist offers luxury European fashions from 2,500 designer brands including Miu Miu, Prada, Gucci and more. And the best part? The items, which include shoes, handbags, ready-to-wear and more, are often at a discount of up to 40 per cent off.
We caught up with CEO Diego Abba to learn more:
Q: For those who aren’t familiar with it, what is italist?
A:Italist is the first platform that offers luxury fashion products directly from Italian and European boutiques to customers worldwide at prices comparable to those you’d find in Europe, without the added import fees.
We partner with over 200 handpicked luxury boutiques to curate in-season and new-season collections from the most prestigious fashion houses. Our customers enjoy seamless international shipping and access to exclusive, hard-to-find items at competitive prices, making the luxury shopping experience just as effortless as it is stylish.
Q: What makes it unique?
A: What truly sets italist apart is our direct-to-consumer model. Instead of marking up prices like traditional luxury retailers, we source items directly from European boutiques and pass those savings on to our customers. This allows shoppers to purchase luxury items at up to 40 per cent off compared to domestic prices — a rare offering in the luxury fashion space.
We also ensure authenticity by working exclusively with trusted boutiques so customers can confidently shop for premium brands while enjoying exclusive, boutique-level pricing.
Q: Who is the target customer?
A: Our target customer is the discerning, style-conscious luxury shopper who appreciates the craftsmanship of European fashion and values both quality and affordability. They are digital-savvy and well-travelled and expect a seamless online shopping experience that offers them exclusive pieces not readily available in their home markets.
Many of our customers are based in the U.S., Asia and the Middle East, and they value italist for its ability to deliver European fashion at global convenience, whether they’re looking for iconic brands like Gucci, Prada, and Balenciaga or more niche luxury labels.
Q: Are there any new brands or launches for fall/winter?
A: We’re excited to introduce several new and expanded brand offerings this season. For fall/winter, we’ve added Loro Piana to both men’s and women’s collections — this brand is notoriously exclusive and hard to find online, making it a standout addition.
We’ve also significantly expanded our CELINE offerings, now featuring a full range for both men and women. Berluti, renowned for its impeccable craftsmanship in French men’s shoes, is now available. For women, Khaite continues to perform exceptionally well with its modern, refined aesthetic, and we’re proud to offer an expanded selection from this growing brand.
Q: What is the price range for the pieces on the site?
A: Italist offers a broad price range, from accessible luxury pieces to high-end designer items. Whether you’re looking for a $400 pair of designer sneakers or a $5,000 Brunello Cucinelli jacket, italist provides significant savings across the board.
Q: Where can people learn more?
A: You can explore our full selection of luxury brands and collections by visiting italist.com. We also share exclusive offers, new arrivals and curated style guides on our Instagram and other social media platforms. Be sure to follow us for the latest updates and fashion inspiration. Visit today and discover why italist is the ultimate destination for luxury shoppers who want European fashion at their fingertips.
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