Leather in the DNA. Made in Italy. The generational change and the desire to put the pandemic behind. Also thanks to the sustained demand for sheepskin garments. GMS75 is the youngest brand of Gimo’s Italiana 1975, a company from S.Martino di Lupari (Padua), founded by Renzo Girardin. Specialised in the manufacture of leather garments, today it employs around 60 people. GMS75 is the brainchild of Massimo Girardin, Renzo’s son. Massimo is the designer and runs Gimo’s with his sister Sabrina. The new brand completes the company’s offer with an innovative, young and modern product.
History and future
How was GMS75 born?
GMS75 was born in 2009 in response to the economic and financial crisis of the time. We felt the need to create a different complementary product to Gimo’s.
How is the brand performing?
We ended 2021 in line with 2020. We have good prospects for 2022, in which we expect to recover 50% of what we lost during the pandemic. The export share is around 75%, with the US, Germany, France, Korea and Russia as the most significant markets.
Has the brand philosophy changed?
No. We are re-proposing Gimo’s heritage in a modern key. We focus on Italian-made products, sometimes mixing fabrics with leather to create a broader collection. A collection that we have decided to present for the first time at Pitti Uomo.
Leather, sheepskin and materials
Where does the leather come from?
About half from Italy (nappa and chamois) and half from Spain (sheepskin).
Do you use other materials besides leather and fabrics?
No. We haven’t entered other worlds yet. Leather is our DNA.
Is leather outerwear still fashionable?
I would say so, yes. There is a strong demand for sheepskin garments, clearly for the winter season, both in Italy and abroad.
Prices and generational change
How do you deal with rising raw material prices?
It is a problem. We try to cushion the increases and absorb them as much as possible in order to offer a low selling price.
Are you affected by the problem of generational turnover?
Yes. In clothing, leather is cut by hand and finding a young cutter is not easy. I think it’s the most difficult role to recruit.
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