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Judge Lifts Oversight on Italian Fashion Brands
31 Mar
Summary
- Judicial control lifted from two Italian fashion firms.
- Judge cited lack of proven complicity by directors.
- Exploitation attributed to subcontracting workshops.
An Italian judge in Milan has lifted judicial oversight on two prominent fashion firms, Alberto Aspesi and Dama Spa, owner of the Paul & Shark brand. This decision, made on March 30, 2026, means a court-appointed administrator will no longer monitor their operations.
The judge ruled on March 30, 2026, that the conditions for judicial oversight were not met, stating that the directors of the two companies were not proven to be complicit in labor exploitation. While the exploitation and underpayment of migrant workers were established, the responsibility was attributed to two subcontracting workshops.
Milan prosecutors announced their intention to file an appeal on March 31, 2026, seeking to reinstate judicial control. A three-judge panel will ultimately decide the fate of the oversight measure. This ruling is significant as it is the first time a judge has not upheld such a measure in a series of ongoing investigations into labor violations within the high-end fashion sector.
