Can one learn something on the character of a Nation by looking at its billionaires?
According to Forbes in Italy there are 16 billionaires (in dollars).
Eleven of them come from fashion or fashion-related businesses: Leonardo del Vecchio (Luxottica), Giorgio Armani, Miuccia Prada and Patrizio Bertelli (Prada), the four Benetton siblings, Poletti Polegato (Geox), the two Della Valle brothers (Tods).
Others are scattered among different businesses: one from Steel Industry (Rocca), one from Food (Ferrero), one from Pharmaceuticals (Pessina), one from Insurance (Doris), one from Media (Berlusconi).
Billionaires are only the tip of the iceberg. But the tip is the same material as the rest of the iceberg.
In this country the fashion Industry rules. High tech is a light weight.