Marco Pievani, Who Headed U.S. Operations for Etro, Among Other Italian Firms, Dies at 63

Funeral services will be held for Marco Pievani, managing director of Boggi Milano, on Sept. 4 at 10 a.m. at St. Paul The Apostle Church at 405 West 59th Street in New York.

Pievani died Tuesday after a brief illness at NYU Hospital. He was 63.

Well-liked in the market, Pievani had an expertise in the development of Italian fashion brands’ businesses in the North American market. He resided on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.

Born Jan. 17, 1962, in Bergamo, Italy, Pievani came to the U.S. and took his first job as a manager at Charivari. He later became director of sales and marketing at Rena Lange and vice president of sales and marketing at Valentino before moving to Etro, where he was president, North America and spent 18 years.

After Etro, Pievani became CEO, North America of Mr and Mrs Italy, an Italian luxury outerwear brand, and joined the Made in Italy Fund as CEO, North America. He eventually became managing director of Boggi Milano, an Italian menswear brand, last October, which has been establishing stores in the New York market, with plans to expand to other U.S. cities over the next five years.

A spokesperson for Etro said Wednesday, “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mr. Marco Pievani, former president of Etro North America. Marco was a key figure in the growth and development of our brand across the North American region. Over his 18 years with the company, which ended in 2018, his vision, leadership and unwavering dedication were instrumental in establishing our presence and reputation in this important market. We extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends and all who had the privilege of working with him. He will be remembered with deep respect and gratitude.”

Ron Frasch, a consultant, said, “He worked for me in the ’90s at GFT when he was with Valentino. He was awesome. He was just a wonderful human being — kind, generous and thoughtful, all these great qualities you look for. When he was at Etro, he was part of the family. They treated him as one of their sons,” he said.

Rosa Di Pietrantonio, who worked with Pievani both at Valentino and Etro, said, “He was my friend. It’s hard to have a friend who’s a boss. He was a magnificent human being. He was kind to everyone and he never treated anyone with any disrespect at all.”

Pievani is survived by his husband, Joseph Kosnalski; his mother; sister and brother-in-law, and a niece and nephew.

A wake will be held Sept. 2 and Sept. 3 from 4 to 8. p.m. at Crestwood Funeral Home at 445 West 43rd Street in New York.

— With contributions from Sandra Salibian