From Garage to Global: How V2 Turned a Hand-Splashed Dream into a Worldwide Brand
Offering a distinctive style of clothing, V2 Brand from Italy focuses on originality, using hand-selected fabrics and vibrant paints.
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In 2014, in the dim chill of a basement garage in Biella, two 20-somethings started splattering paint on T-shirts with nothing more than fabric scraps, bold ambition, and a vision to build something unlike anything on the shelves. That was the birth of V2, not just a fashion brand, but a mindset. A decade later, that same splash of paint, the same literal one-of-a-kind, hand-thrown gesture still defines every V2 garment, connecting the global streetwear phenomenon back to its humble roots.
V2’s story is one of rare consistency in an industry that often rewards scale over soul. Many fashion labels start small and authentic, only to lose that essence once growth kicks in. But not V2. “We did the first T-shirt as we do the T-shirt today,” confirms Francesco Vitale, co-founder and creative heartbeat of the brand. “Nothing has really changed for us, even though the volume has exploded.”
From its humble beginnings, V2 has grown exponentially. Yet, each item is still hand-splashed, sewn, and detailed within their open-plan creative laboratory, a space that functions as both atelier and heart of operations. “We believe details make the difference,” says Vitale. “And we’ve made it a mission to protect the uniqueness of every single item.”
That belief is more than talk. The fabrics are sourced and cut in-house. The colorful paints, studded embellishments, customized pockets, and signature tailoring are true expressions of identity. “Every piece tells a different story,” Vitale explains.
V2’s aesthetic is unmistakable: energetic, artistic, unapologetically bold. From beanies to sneakers, each piece features its signature splash literally flung by hand, making no two pieces alike. Studs, embroidered elements, and textured fabrics add to the tactile experience, bringing couture-level detail to a streetwear silhouette. It’s high fashion with a rebellious streak, and it’s still made 100% in Italy.
Vitale’s own background is part of what makes V2 unique. Armed with a degree in business and economics, followed by a master’s in textile engineering, he had a foot in both the creative and commercial worlds. He cut his teeth in the high-end Italian luxury sector, working on bespoke garments. He asked himself why that kind of craftsmanship couldn’t be made more accessible. “I couldn’t afford the pieces from the brand I worked for,” he says. “So I thought: why not take that same care, that same customization, and bring it to something wearable every day?”
V2 isn’t for the conformist. It’s for “the young, the bold, the creative.” As Vitale puts it: they’re for the people who break the mold rather than fit into it. And that’s reflected not just in the designs, but in the people who make them. “We are 10 people under 35 years old,” he says proudly. “My youngest employee was born in 2002. Everyone here brings ideas, passion, creativity. Without this vibrant team, who knows where the business would be today? They work together, in unison, all with the same goal in mind: to make the best, most unique products to the highest standard.”
The workspace reflects this ethos: a vibrant, transparent hub where every part of the production process is visible. Rolls of seasonal fabrics sit ready to be transformed. Patterns are cut. Garments are splashed, stitched, and set out to dry. There’s a hum of constant creation.
That adherence to original values has paid off. What started as a two-person passion project has become a globally recognized brand. V2 is now a household name in Italy, with hundreds of partner stores. Its presence extends across various countries, with various retailers across numerous international markets. Online, the demand continues to grow, reaching customers all around the world.
And yet, the prices remain accessible, processes remain artisanal, and garments remain unique. “It’s difficult to keep making promises when the volume grows,” Vitale admits. Even as the company eyes further expansion across Europe and strengthens its direct-to-consumer presence online, the commitment to handcraft, authenticity, and individuality remains the same. “Our future is about growth, but never at the cost of our roots,” says Vitale.
In an industry obsessed with the next big thing, V2 has stayed true to the first bold idea—and that just might be the most revolutionary thing. Ad maiora.