Conversation with incoming CEO of the Americas Mauro Maggioni, moderated by ASU FIDM’s Dennita Sewell, explores the “perfectly imperfect” philosophy of Italian fashion and its role in cultural diplomacy.
Los Angeles, December 9, 2025 – The Consulate General of Italy and the Italian Cultural Institute in Los Angeles hosted an evening dedicated to Italian fashion and creativity with Golden Goose as part of the inaugural Italian Fashion Days in the World (Giornate della Moda Italiana nel Mondo – GMIM), a new initiative launched by Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in collaboration with the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) and the country’s main fashion industry associations.
The event, held at the Italian Cultural Institute, featured a conversation with Mauro Maggioni, incoming CEO of the Americas at Golden Goose, moderated by Dennita Sewell, Director of the Fashion Resource Center at ASU FIDM. Guests – including students, young professionals, members of the local fashion and design community, and representatives of the Italian business network in Los Angeles – explored Golden Goose’s evolution from a Venice-born independent brand rooted in Italian craftsmanship to a next-generation global luxury company that champions a “perfectly imperfect,” authentic and deeply personal approach to style.
The program also included special holiday-inspired Co-Creation with Golden Goose’s skilled artisans, called Dream Makers. Co-Creation is personalization experience offered by Golden Goose at all retail locations and online for clients to unleash creativity and design one-of-a-kind pieces that tell their story. Guests were immersed in the brand’s artisanal processes with the screen-printing of posters and Co-Creation of bandanas as a meaningful keepsake from the memorable evening.
The Italian Fashion Days in the World form a key component of Italy’s broader Growth Diplomacy strategy, which leverages excellence-driven sectors—fashion, design, and lifestyle—to support the internationalization of Italian companies and strengthen economic and cultural ties with partner countries. Italy’s fashion and textile industry includes more than 50,000 companies, generates over 96 billion euros in revenue, and exports more than 65 billion euros—nearly 10% of Italy’s total exports. These figures underscore the sector’s central role not only as a cultural emblem but also as a strategic driver of Italy’s economic partnership with the United States.
The Consul General of Italy in Los Angeles, Raffaella Valentini, commented:
“Italian fashion is not only one of our most admired expressions of creativity; it is also a strategic pillar of our economy and a powerful instrument of diplomacy. Through fashion, Italy shares its values – craftsmanship, beauty, quality, innovation – and that uniquely Italian ability to bring tradition and modernity together. Hosting this event here in Los Angeles, with a brand like Golden Goose, reminds us of the extraordinary role fashion plays in connecting our two countries—not only through style, but also through shared values, stories, and creative visions.”
Emanuele Amendola, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute of Los Angeles, added:
“At the Institute, we strive to present Italy not only through its heritage but also through the vitality of its contemporary creativity. Evenings like this remind us that fashion is, in every sense, culture: a way of reading the world, expressing identity, and imagining new possibilities. Bringing together students, educators like Dennita Sewell, and professionals from the creative industries makes this dialogue even more meaningful. Through these exchanges, fashion reveals its deeper purpose: helping us reflect on who we are, how we relate to one another, and how creativity can remain human, responsible, and forward-looking in a rapidly changing world.
Mauro Maggioni reinforced:
“The Golden Goose ‘perfect imperfection’ ethos is rooted in the Italian belief of preserving traditional craft with authenticity, shared experiences, and human connection. This moment together reinforces the depth and intention behind it and celebrates Italian fashion with genuine appreciation.”
About Golden Goose
Golden Goose is a Next Gen global luxury company founded on a passion for all things that are “perfectly imperfect”, authentic and unique.
Born in 2000, it operates at the intersection of luxury, lifestyle and sportswear. It is specialized in the sourcing, design, and distribution of sneakers – some of which have become icons in the market – as well as apparel, bags, and other accessories. High quality, attention to detail and a “lived-in” look have become the distinctive features of Golden Goose.
With the ambition of bringing Italy’s “hand-made tradition” to the world, the brand blends artisanal craftsmanship with “Made in Italy” manufacturing, creating products that combine Italian wearability with an urban vintage flavor. Today, Golden Goose, whose products resonate deeply with a new generation of luxury consumers, has a community of 2 million Dreamers. Golden Goose is present in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and APAC, with 227 stores and a strong online and wholesale distribution.
