If you’ve been following our monthly column, you’ll know by now that the spirit of #Together200 can be found in almost every sector and aspect of daily life. Fashion is no exception. The United States remains one of the top export markets for Tuscan fashion and leather products, and American buyers and consumers are avid attendees of Pitti Immagine. And it’s not only about Americans crazy for Italian fashion. Already 60 US designers have signed up to exhibit their latest at Pitti Uomo 96.

The relationship is not just commercial; it goes much deeper than that. A central theme of our bicentennial celebrations this year is the importance of personal relationships to our 200 years together. So it is in the world of high fashion. The best-known story along these lines is probably that of Salvatore Ferragamo. The founder of Salvatore Ferragamo SpA moved to the United States in 1914, first to Boston and in 1923 to Hollywood where he became the “shoemaker to the stars”.