Think of London fashion, and you might alight on someone like Mary Katrantzou or Christopher Kane – two groundbreaking designers in their early thirties. But think of Milan fashion, and it's likely that the names that spring to mind will be the mega-brands: Gucci, Prada, Armani and their heavyweight friends. Italy has a remarkable heritage of craftsmanship and luxury design, but has been criticised in recent years for leaning too heavily on those established fashion houses, instead of promoting and developing new talent. 

But the new talent is there, even if it perhaps doesn't get the attention it deserves. We spoke to buyers from some of the UK's leading designer retailers to find out which up-and-coming Italian designers have impressed them. Read and remember, because these might just be the future heavyweights of Italy's bellissimo fashion industry.