In the beginning, it was just a game then it became a passion, now it is fashion. These few words alone would be enough to describe how Angelo Galasso, born in 1959 in a town in the splendid region of Apulia, achieved success in London thanks to his unique style.

Angelo was a child in the Italy of the 1970s, a country in the middle of an economic boom. Francavilla Fontana, however, was far from the major cities such as Rome, Milan and Naples. It's a town where the traditions of Southern Italy were so strong that they seemed to infiltrate the scented air of the hot summers that began in April and continued to October. From an early age, Angelo revealed his unwillingness to "fall in with the crowd". He wanted to be unique, different from the rest.

The Galasso family was a typical, large middle-class Italian family. His father was extremely strict, forbidding Angelo to play on the streets with his peers. But Angelo, who loved his hometown, forged a friendship with the cheerful artisans who had workshops along the main street. The tailor, the shirt maker, the trouser maker and the cobbler all welcomed him into their shops, where Angelo started to become familiar with fabrics and forms, colours and hides. This is how he came to understand that those trades that are carried out by insignificant men, hidden away yet wise in their age-old vision, who are so loyal to their mission that they carry out a discreet yet great art, stand for something valuable. So he asked his new-found friends to help him change the style and proportions of his clothes, which were the same as what all other kids wore, thus finding yet again another way to set himself apart. Angelo Galasso’s way of expressing his uniqueness and breaking the established codes would have a lasting mark on his life and success.

Despite of all strong influences and emotions, Angelo continued to go down an independent and rebellious route. While he would listen to criticism ("does the word really have to be like that?"), he opted to deliberately ignore it, understanding from an early age the consequences of change and breaking out of the mould.

Angelo got married very young and to support his new family he went into working with cars. In a nation dominated by Fiat, Angelo once again went for the challenging route and opened a Renault dealership. He overcame the challenge and learnt an important lesson: how to create or import a brand, and persuade those who have always been used to one thing to change. "Convincing people who have been used to one particular thing for years was not easy: it required sacrifice," and in moments of doubt, Angelo turned to his father, who always replied: "Don't give up! The customers will come when even just one of them discovers what you do."

With knowledge and determination, Angelo paid a lot of attention to what people talked about and to their opinions, which, given the public role of his father, sought to influence his decisions. "I remember that in the small town in southern Italy where I lived, the role models who stood for honesty and integrity were the town priest, doctor, pharmacist, mayor, and the Marshall and the Chief of Police," recalls the designer. "It was impossible to break away from these role models and break out of the mould, especially when one of them was your father."

Following his instincts and reserving the right to remain loyal to his own opinions and choices, Angelo continued to set himself apart, even in his appearance. Unfortunately, in a small town, it is difficult to stick to your own choices, particularly if they are the opposite of what other people expect. And in fact, Angelo's talent was not accepted. He was made fun of in public for his eccentric ways and privately tolerated because of his father’s public standing. When the situation became unbearable, Angelo decided to move to Rome. He would move often, and changing city would become a feature of his life. Now in fact, after fifteen years in London, Angelo has moved to NYC. "I remember the long, torrid summers in Italy, the endless walks along the main street, the feast day of the town's patron saint, which marked the return of most of the townspeople from their seaside homes". 13 September brings back fond memories for the designer. On this day, there was a major event organised by his father, which gave him the chance to dress up and show off. Angelo was a trendsetter, with his showy hat and flashy clothes, which were so different from what his friends were wearing, and which they attempted to copy. He would scoot around on his Vespa and look around, embracing life.

Angelo felt the pressure of a small provincial environment, but once he moved to Rome with his family, the more open views there left him free to change career and unleash his creativity. Angelo underwent a strong stylistic development, which was not accepted in the small-town world from which he came, even though what he wore was beginning to become more popular. This was a crucial step in Angelo’s development, he being one of the first people to see that a style cannot simply be accepted and that you have to make your own. And that you have to earn it. And so, a few years later, 'Interno 8' came along, which was a widespread network of shops offering an unconventional style, in keeping with the demands of its clientele, yet breaking with tradition.

In fact, the clothes that Angelo created and wore then began to gain success. His friends and acquaintances constantly asked him where he bought his clothes. While everyone expected him to reply, "a famous Neapolitan tailor or an important shirt maker in Apulia," Angelo started to explain to them that they were his own creations. "Fashion is generated by needs", and in a market awash with low-neck shirts and short cuffs, Angelo could not find the right product to suit his one need: looking smart at all times.