MODES
MODES is a privately held Italian luxury multi-brand fashion retailer founded in 1971 in Milan, operating 22 boutiques across Italy, France, and Switzerland plus a Shopify/Global-e e-commerce site, curating 300+ designer brands alongside its own MODES Garments, MODES Objects, and MINIMODES lines for fashion-conscious European consumers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1971
- HeadquartersMilan, Lombardy, Italy
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What MODES does
MODES is a privately held Italian luxury multi-brand fashion retailer founded in 1971 by Aldo Carpinteri in Milan. It operates 22 physical stores across Italy, France, and Switzerland, comprising 11 signature multi-brand boutiques, 4 MINIMODES children's boutiques, and 7 mono-brand franchise locations, supported by more than 180 employees. The company curates merchandise from over 300 designer brands and positions itself as an editorial, experience-led destination rather than a transaction-led department store.
The company's product surface spans curated multi-brand designer fashion alongside three owned private-label lines: MODES Garments (ready-to-wear), MODES Objects (design and home objects, launched 2023), and MINIMODES (children's wear, launched 2023). Its digital commerce runs on Shopify with Global-e powering cross-border transactions, supplemented by a WhatsApp-based Concierge service for high-touch clienteling. Marketing and brand-building are anchored in editorial collaborations and event-style activations with partners including Vogue Germany ("Fashion. Forward."), Ludovic de Saint Sernin, Alice Pons, Raxxy (Paris takeover, 2024), and The Archive (Old Céline pop-up).
MODES generates revenue primarily through direct-to-consumer sales across its physical boutiques and e-commerce site, with a secondary stream from mono-brand franchise agreements. The business model is curation-led and content-led, relying on exclusive capsules, takeovers, and in-store events to drive traffic and brand equity. The company remains family-owned and has not disclosed any external funding rounds, suggesting growth is funded organically from operating cash flow.
MODES firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MODES
- Legal name
- Modes S.p.A.
- Website
- https://modes.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1971
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- MODES is a privately held Italian luxury multi-brand fashion retailer founded in 1971 in Milan, operating 22 boutiques across Italy, France, and Switzerland plus a Shopify/Global-e e-commerce site, curating 300+ designer brands alongside its own MODES Garments, MODES Objects, and MINIMODES lines for fashion-conscious European consumers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MODES industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Luxury Fashion Retail
- NAICS
- Clothing, Clothing Accessories, Shoe, and Jewelry Retailers (458)
- SIC
- Retail-Apparel & Accessory Stores (5600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Luxury Fashion & Designer Department Stores (CRAGADAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Jewelry, Watches & Luxury Omnichannel (CRAFAEAH), Luxury Fashion (Ready-to-Wear & Couture) (CRAKAFAE)
Keywords
Where MODES is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Milan, Lombardy
- HQ country
- Italy
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices10 records
Markets served
MODES business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Retail Sales - Physical Stores: Revenue generated from sales of apparel and accessories through 22 physical retail locations across Europe including Italy, France, and Switzerland. Stores include multi-brand boutiques, MINIMODES children's boutiques, and mono-brand franchises.
- E-commerce Sales: Online sales through modes.com, serving customers globally with multi-currency and multi-country store support. The platform is powered by Shopify with Global-e handling international commerce operations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | MODES Garments - Apparel and Accessories |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Designer Denim - The Big White Blue |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Modes Objects - Design and Homeware |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
MODES product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MODES operates an omni-channel luxury multi-brand fashion retail platform, selling curated clothing, accessories, and design objects from over 300 designer brands through 22 physical boutiques across Italy, France, and Switzerland and the modes.com e-commerce site. The retailer complements third-party brands with its own private labels MODES Garments (made-in-Italy sartorial pieces, silk shirts, knitwear) and MODES Objects (contemporary design objects), alongside the MODES Concierge personalized shopping service and editorial capsule collaborations.
Product overview
MODES is an omni-channel fashion retail platform combining physical multi-brand boutiques with a digital e-commerce destination. The company operates 22 stores across Italy, France, and Switzerland, featuring 11 signature multi-brand boutiques, 4 MINIMODES children's boutiques, and 7 mono-brand franchises, with over 300 designer brands. The core offering includes curated fashion retail through physical and digital channels, complemented by private label products (MODES Garments - sartorial clothing, silk shirts, knitwear, and accessories; MODES Objects - design and home objects), the MODES Concierge personalized shopping service, and editorial content through the MODES Blog series. Recent expansions include the MODES Objects design collection and ongoing exclusive capsule collaborations with fashion designers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- MODES_Garments: In-house brand featuring sartorial pieces including t-shirts, silk shirts, blazers, trousers, boxers, knitwear, and tote bags.
- MINIMODES
- MODES Objects
Products and services
- MODES Multi-Brand Fashion Retail Curated multi-brand luxury fashion retail of clothing and accessories from more than 300 designer labels, including menswear, womenswear, and accessories, sold through physical boutiques and the modes.com e-commerce site.
- Physical Boutique Network 22 physical multi-brand boutiques located in Italy, France, and Switzerland, comprising 11 signature multi-brand boutiques, 4 MINIMODES children's boutiques, and 7 mono-brand franchises in fashion capitals and resort destinations.
- modes.com E-commerce Platform Direct-to-consumer online shopping platform offering multi-currency, multi-country access to MODES's curated apparel, accessories, and design objects, powered by Shopify with Global-e international commerce integration.
- MODES Garments Private Label Private label clothing line of made-in-Italy sartorial pieces including silk shirts, t-shirts, blazers, knitwear, trousers, boxers, and canvas tote bags, focused on quality fabrics and in-house design.
- MODES Objects Design and home objects collection featuring furniture, homeware, and design objects from European contemporary creative talents, including marble side tables, Murano glass pieces, wool blankets, and decorative items.
- MINIMODES Children's Boutiques Multi-brand boutique concept dedicated to children and teenagers, offering an extensive edit of kids' clothing and accessories across four dedicated locations.
- MODES Concierge Personal Shopping Personalized shopping consultation service delivered via WhatsApp, providing expert guidance on styles, latest arrivals, collections, and designers, plus exclusive access and tailored fashion recommendations.
- MODES Exclusive Capsule Collections Limited-edition collaborative capsule collections created with designers and brands, sold across MODES boutiques and the modes.com online store.
- MODES Garments - The Big White Blue Designer Denim In-house designer denim line within MODES Garments, offering straight leg, waxed, and flared styles as part of the made-in-Italy sartorial assortment.
Companies that use MODES
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
MODES technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration10 records
MODES partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- The ArchivecoreThe Archive, founded by Martina Lohoff in 2020, is the world's largest collection of Céline archival pieces from the Phoebe Philo era. MODES hosted the first ever Old Céline pop-up in Italy during Milan Fashion Week, offering rare limited edition archival pieces for sale.
- Harper's Bazaar ItaliacoreHarper's Bazaar Italia collaborated with Milano Fashion Library to host a captivating photographic exhibition at MODES Milano showcasing iconic editorial covers from 1940 to 2024, bridging editorial and retail worlds.
- Global-ecoreGlobal-e provides international commerce operations including payment processing, fraud control, second line customer service, and delivery logistics for MODES e-commerce operations.
- Gonzalez Haase AAScoreBerlin-based architecture studio that has designed four MODES stores including Paris, Porto Cervo, Forte Dei Marmi, and Cagliari, bringing innovative artistic vision to each boutique's architectural concept.
- ShopifycoreShopify powers the MODES e-commerce platform with features including storefront, checkout, customer accounts, analytics, and privacy management tools.
- Ludovic de Saint SernincoreMODES Paris celebrated designer Ludovic de Saint Sernin with an exclusive event during Paris Fashion Week following the brand's AW24 collection runway presentation. The event featured select pieces from Lust SS24 collection and exclusive AW24 preview.
- Alice Pons MilanominorItalian brand recognized for historically inspired corsets created an exclusive capsule collection for MODES featuring a Tennis Core-inspired look with seventeenth-century corset styling and polo shirt elements.
- Raxxy / William ShenminorChinese luxury jacket brand founded and designed by William Shen took over MODES Paris store from September 23 to October 5, 2024, unveiling Fall/Winter 2024 collection that blends Chinese traditional culture with AI and mathematical art.
- Anna Deller-YeeminorMultidisciplinary creative born 1994 in Chicago, BA Fashion Design from London College of Fashion, conducted live painting exhibition 'INTO THE PROCESS' at MODES Milan during Milan Women's Fashion Week, transforming the space into her live studio.
- NSS G-ClubminorExclusive interview collaboration for deep dive into Phoebe Philo Era, exploring the legacy and influence of Old Céline design.
- Vogue GermanycoreMODES partnered with Vogue Germany for 'Fashion. Forward.' initiative, featuring Anna Wintour and Aldo Carpinteri.
- Istituto Marangoni MilanominorFashion and design school partnership featuring Michelle Francine Ngonmo from Afrofashion, supporting emerging talent and industry education.
- Milano Fashion LibraryminorPartnership for Harper's Bazaar exhibition bringing fashion editorial heritage to MODES retail space.
- NM3minorMilan-based design company founded 2020 by Francesco Zorzi, Nicolò Ornaghi, and Delfino Sisto Legnani. Produces design objects including marble side tables and trays. Has worked with Adidas, Off-White, Sunnei, Moncler, Givenchy.
- 6:AMminorDesign studio connecting designers worldwide with Murano glass masters. Creates hand-blown unique glass objects combining curiosity with new techniques and materials. Has worked with Luca Guadagnino, Nilufar, Cassina.
- Zigzag ZurichminorSwiss design studio producing wool blankets through collaboration with designers including Nathalie du Pasquier and George Sowden.
- Mandalaki StudiosminorDesign studio that created 'HALO Edition Project' and 'City Sunset' installation that illuminated MODES Milano building facade during Milan Design Week 2024.
- Johan ViladrichminorDesigner producing luxury objects including MaxiTray ($2,361) and Aire A75 Ashtray ($1,181) for MODES Objects collection.
- Afrofashion / Michelle Francine NgonmominorAfrofashion, led by Michelle Francine Ngonmo, partnered with MODES for Milan Fashion Week event celebrating African fashion talent.
- Wales BonnerminorExclusive event for Wales Bonner Milan Women Store Opening, featuring Adidas Originals by Wales Bonner capsule collection.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
MODES competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
MODES social profiles
Digital presenceMODES financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MODES leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
MODES funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MODES M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about MODES
What does MODES do?
MODES operates an omni-channel luxury multi-brand fashion retail platform, selling curated clothing, accessories, and design objects from over 300 designer brands through 22 physical boutiques across Italy, France, and Switzerland and the modes.com e-commerce site. The retailer complements third-party brands with its own private labels MODES Garments (made-in-Italy sartorial pieces, silk shirts, knitwear) and MODES Objects (contemporary design objects), alongside the MODES Concierge personalized shopping service and editorial capsule collaborations.
Is MODES a public or private company?
MODES is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was MODES founded?
MODES was founded in 1971. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is MODES based?
MODES is headquartered in Milan, Lombardy, Italy, in the Europe region.
How does MODES make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Retail Sales - Physical Stores are the primary driver. The others are E-commerce Sales.
Does MODES have an API?
No public API is recorded for MODES.
What industry is MODES in?
MODES's product category is Luxury Fashion Retail. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAGADAC, Luxury Fashion & Designer Department Stores, with a secondary code of CRAFAEAH, Jewelry, Watches & Luxury Omnichannel. Its NAICS code is 458 and its SIC code is 5600.