Roberto Saviano's 'Gomorrah': The Ugly Side Of A Glamorous Industry

If you read Women's Wear Daily, you probably came across last week's interview with Italian investigative reporter Roberto Saviano. (Source) Saviano authored the best-selling expose entitled Gomorrah: Italy's Other Mafia (Macmillan, 2007) which documents the Italian underworld's innumerable and deep ties to the Italian fashion industry . I've been intrigued by this subject ever since Italian network Rai 3's broadcast of the controversial documentary revealing that undocumented Chinese workers were producing authentic luxury handbags for top Italian fashion brands such as Prada, Dolce & Gabbana and Gucci. (Source) Saviano's research however goes much deeper than the Rai 3 documentary. So much so that he now lives under police protection.

Saviano's book is based upon his infiltration of the vast network of underworld figures which effectively controls the port of Naples, the point of entry for vast quantities of merchandise from all over the world that eventually makes its way to the markets of Europe and beyond. Tales of clandestine workshops, undocumented workers, countless instances of illegal transactions and an unusual alliance between the Italian and Chinese underworlds. After reading this compelling account of how the Italian fashion world really works, it's enough to turn you off of "Made in Italy" for good. It also makes the PR campaign launched by the Italian fashion industry and fronted by Isabella Rossellini seem like a bad joke.

Roberto Saviano's Gomorrah: Italy's Other Mafia (Macmillan, 2007) is available from Amazon in English translation and original Italian. I urge you to read it.

Sincerely,

The Luxe Chronicles

Comments

[Dahlia]

Thank you for the review, this looks really fascinating to read! Yet another book to add to my long "must read" list. I love it when there are investigative reports on the fashion industry, we get such a rare look behind the scenes.

What I'd like to know is how do these authors gain access to get such precious information? Especially a book dealing with the mafia, wouldn't Mr. Saviano's life be in danger for exposing the underground truth about the italian fashion industry?