Capitale Umano, Valori e Visione: chi è Gaetano D'Angiulli, CEO di Fortela 🧥🧶

For the fifth episode of Italian Stories, we welcome Gaetano D'Angiulli, CEO of Fortela, in a conversation that goes beyond business to touch on identity, purpose, and what it means to lead with integrity. Originally from Puglia, Gaetano moved to Milan fifteen years ago, driven by a deep passion for aesthetics and authenticity. His entry into the fashion world wasn't conventional, it came from a genuine love for beauty and organicity, rather than a pursuit of trends or financial gain. Throughout our conversation, Gaetano reflects on what he sees as a growing disconnect in the fashion industry: too many brands prioritizing profit over purpose. In contrast, he speaks with admiration about those rare, successful brands where the founder's fingerprint and vision still shine through. Brands built on integrity, not just numbers. A formative experience living abroad in Ireland offered him invaluable lessons and broadened his perspective. Yet despite the growth it brought, something essential was missing. He found himself longing for that distinctly Italian sense of beauty. The aesthetic sensibility, the organicity, the attention to detail woven into everyday life. It was a pull he couldn't ignore, and eventually, it brought him home. We discuss what Made in Italy truly means to him: not just a label, but a commitment to human capital, craftsmanship, and culture. His role as CEO reflects this philosophy: he doesn't see himself as someone who manages from above, but as a captain who steers the ship alongside his crew. Present, accountable, and deeply invested. He opens up about how he met Alessandro Squarzi, the founder of Fortela, and how that encounter shaped his professional path. He explains how the brand approaches production decisions, choosing between Italy and Japan not based on cost, but on where the craft can be honored most authentically. Finally, Gaetano shares his personal definition of success: a balance between professional achievement and personal fulfillment, measured not in revenue but in impact, meaning, and staying true to one's values. This episode is less about fashion and more about humanity. A reminder that the most compelling stories in business are always rooted in people, principles, and the courage to stay true to both. 🎬 Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:33 Meet Gaetano D'Angiulli, CEO of Fortela 03:22 How it all started: Fortela's origin story 06:34 What living abroad taught me about Italy 08:02 Why I came back to Italian beauty 10:08 The values that drive Fortela every day 12:53 What Made in Italy means for Fortela 15:51 Not a CEO, a Captain 17:30 Meeting Alessandro Squarzi: the Fortela chapter 21:04 Italy or Japan? Choosing where to produce 22:55 How Fortela's CEO defines success 25:55 Final reflections worth sharing Video Editing: Manuel Braga ______ 🎙️ Italian Stories We go beyond the brands. Through intimate conversations with Italy's most inspiring entrepreneurs and visionaries, we reveal the human talent behind world-renowned Italian excellence. Follow us also on: 🔴 Instagram:   / italianstoriespodcast   🔴 TikTok:   / italianstoriespodcast   🔴 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4BdbMO3... 🔴 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.it/podcasts/69f6...