Fashion’s Source Communities and Heritage, Neapolitan Style: Spotlight on the Luxury Brand E. Marinella

As part of a series of conversations devoted to source communities, this episode travels to London and Naples to spotlight the global reach of the Neapolitan sartorial tradition and one heritage brand in particular, E. Marinella. In this episode we speak with Ben Allen, the President of Marinella USA and the Director of Marinella UK, who looks after Marinella's products (from scarves to ties worn by King Charles and more silk accessories) in the world. We discuss the history of Marinella as a historic Neapolitan brand, the vibrant retail environment that still exists in its original store in Naples, and the importance of its multi-generational management by the Marinella family. We also discuss how important it is for brands to substantiate the heritage claims they make, and wonder how the law should play a greater role in the stories and narratives brands share about their heritage, especially when brands are connected to source communities.

To learn more about E. Marinella, which was founded in 1914 in Naples, visit the brand's website here https://www.emarinella.eu/pages/our-story-over-a-century-of-style .