You might think that he was born in fashion, grew up in it, and that it became his profession in a completely linear way, but no, quite the opposite: Alessandro Martorana only decided at around 30 years of age to finally follow his great passion: and FashionHe quits his job, turns his life around, and in the Turin he loves so much, begins dressing his friends, creating custom-made suits. And when fate has some wonderful surprises in store, no one can stop him from creating the perfect connections that will change his life.
Alessandro knows this well, as just a few months after launching his career as a designer, he met the Agnelli scion, Lapo Elkann: "At the time, he was Marketing Director of FIAT. We immediately became friends, and he gave me some important advice. But above all, I had the great honor of receiving his grandfather's clothes, Mr. Agnelli, to adapt them for him. Having the clothes of such an important man and entrepreneur in my wardrobe was truly exciting, and it gave me the opportunity to copy his style."
From that moment, Alessandro Martorana's career took off: every single piece is tailor-made for the client; there's no "ready-to-wear" option in his ateliers. Creations are always conceived and discussed with the client, and then the designer, together with his designers, brings their desires to life, creating a one-of-a-kind piece. A world that, thanks to his desire for expansion, had to be conquered just a few years after his debut: after a solid debut in Turin, Alessandro began traveling the United States, to New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
And it was in California that he decided to stop, also finding love: «Yes, at the time I was engaged to a famous American actress, and LA also gave me the opportunity to create clothes for various celebrities and film productions».
An intense and wonderful three-year period, which definitively established him as a top-tier couturier. His clients today include several royal families, prominent politicians, and top-level athletes in every discipline, from soccer to the NHL: "I have to be honest, the fact that so many prominent people recognize my Alessandro Martorana brand as a special piece to wear makes me truly proud."
A career dedicated to dressing men to perfection, why have you never created anything for women? "Yes, it's true, it was my choice from the beginning. I find it much easier to dress men; women are so beautiful but also just as complicated. I leave this magnificent task to the most talented."
Longtime boyfriend of Elena Barolo, a former showgirl on Striscia la Notizia and now a showgirl, actress, and television host, the stylist and designer undoubtedly knows a thing or two about beauty, but what should a woman wear to catch his eye? "She simply has to dress well, and that has nothing to do with the brand, the label, or the cost. Even on a shoestring, a woman can be very elegant; it's simply a matter of taste."
An atelier in Turin, an atelier in Milan on the prestigious Via della Spiga, and a passion for her work that transcends all her success: "The most satisfying thing for me is having created an exceptional team, a team of happy people who have truly become my family. And I'll tell you more, my clients have become my best friends; I keep in touch with them, I hang out with them in my free time. I believe this wonderful situation was created because my passion for design has become the meaning of my life. I dedicate all my free time to my work, which I love without any restrictions, and those who work with me or rely on me sense it. I confess that I'm a workaholic; I work a lot. But it doesn't weigh me down at all; on the contrary, I enjoy working a lot because every day I'm in contact with so many clients from all over the world, which allows me to travel, and I consider this a great privilege."
Alessandro Martorana's work is made up of contacts, meetings, requests, fabric research, and the perfect cut: a team effort that always results in the satisfaction of his clients (famous and otherwise) by wearing a garment created specifically for each of them: for Alessandro, the entire process is the most satisfying gift life could offer.
And to function well in every aspect of life, you also need to keep an eye on your health, but with your work schedule and all your travels, how do you manage that? "Yes, it's not easy for me to be consistent in my exercise, but I still try to stay fit. My secret is walking a lot. I actually really enjoy walking, and I try to do it whenever I have the chance. And as for nutrition, I try to do my best. I take care of my nutrition as much as possible, and when I slip up, I'm aware of it, so I try to balance it out with healthier meals the next day."
And what does Ticino mean to you? "I've lived in Switzerland for 11 years, and even though I travel the world, my home is here. I feel great; Ticino is my point of reference, and I love living here." Alessandro Martorana, world-renowned designer and standard-bearer of artisanal luxury entirely made in Italy, has chosen Lugano as his haven of peace, and perhaps as a place where he finds new inspiration to continue creating his magic.
