Elisabetta Merlo

Elisabetta Merlo is an Associate Professor of Economic History affiliated with ICRIOS at Bocconi University. She holds a Ph.D. in Economic and Social History from Bocconi University. Her research focuses on the history of the Italian fashion industry, luxury goods, and family businesses, with particular attention to global value chains and institutional development. She teaches 'Economic History' at the undergraduate level and 'Channel Marketing' at the MSc level, emphasizing trade evolution and strategic planning.

Her research interests span the historical evolution of Italian fashion companies, including case studies like Gruppo Finanziario Tessile and Giorgio Armani. She explores topics such as Turin’s emergence as a fashion capital, comparative fashion business trends between Spain and Italy, and the role of consumer culture in late 19th-century Milan department stores. Her work often intersects with economic geography and institutional analysis.

Merlo’s publications include contributions to Business History, Enterprise & Society, and Fashion Theory, reflecting her interdisciplinary approach to economic and social history. She has also authored book chapters and edited volumes analyzing Italy’s global economic positioning and historical narratives. No specific grants or awards are listed in the provided materials.