Luxury fashion brand Loro Piana, known for its ultra-premium cashmere, is under judicial supervision for one year after a Milan court ruled the company enabled serious labour exploitation in its supply chain.
The case came to light after migrant workers sewing Loro Piana garments were discovered sleeping on factory floors, working up to 90 hours a week, and being paid as little as €4 per hour, far below legal standards. According to Italian prosecutors, the LVMH-owned label had hired a supplier that subcontracted work to unauthorised workshops where workers endured not only extreme conditions but also, in some cases, physical abuse.
The investigation gained traction after one worker reported being assaulted by a workshop owner when he asked for €10,000 in unpaid wages. The beating was so severe, it reportedly left him with injuries requiring 45 days of medical care. In May, police shut down one of the workshops producing Loro Piana garments in Milan, citing multiple violations, including unsafe working conditions and wage exploitation.
Loro Piana has responded by stating it was unaware of the illegal subcontracting and immediately ended its relationship with the supplier involved. “Loro Piana strongly condemns any illegal practices,” the company said in a statement, “and reaffirms its ongoing commitment to protecting human rights and complying with all applicable regulations throughout its entire supply chain.”
This case places Loro Piana among a growing list of Italian luxury brands, including Dior, Valentino, Armani, and Alviero Martini, that have faced judicial oversight due to labour abuses. These revelations are sparking a broader conversation about the hidden human costs behind the “Made in Italy” label, once synonymous with quality and prestige.
As investigations continue, they highlight a troubling pattern in the luxury fashion industry, where high-end prices don’t always guarantee ethical practices. While brands like Loro Piana pledge reform, the question remains: how much responsibility do fashion houses bear for what happens deeper in their supply chains, and how much transparency are consumers entitled to expect?