The Italian fashion industry is heading for a historic turning point. Indeed, this year will see the inception of a unique industrial federation which, thus contemplated, is worth over 90 billion Euros in turnover. Coming together, unofficially, are the textile-clothing of Smi, the footwear of Assocalzaturifici, the bags of Aimpes and the glasses of Anfao. Following decades of parallel lives, the association, today headed by Claudio Marenzi, Annarita Pilotti, Riccardo Braccialini and Cirillo Marcolin, form an alliance to set up a new order that will represent Italian fashion and will be the second in importance after the mechanical federation.
The main target is to come together to form a team – said Annarita Pilotti, President of Assocalzaturifici. I have always been convinced that remaining separated did not bring benefits to anyone and seriously risks relegating Italy to play a marginal role. Therefore, it is important that discussions among players in the fashion sector continue to be constructive and, above all, focus on the needs of our companies. Shared targets among the organisations of the fashion industry not only regard events but also the representation of the chain as a whole.
As recently stressed by Minister Carlo Calenda at the Pitti exhibition,
the steps taken, vital on a strategic level, to create a Federation of all the industrial associations of Italian fashion represent a historic phase for Assocalzaturifici too. It will enable to be stronger and more united at the negotiating table and will give associated companies facilities and exhibitions more in line with market demands. theMICAM is the jewel in the crown of Milan fashion events, it generates big figures and makes a significant economic impact. This is why the exhibition and its organisation represent one of the top elements of this new strategic framework, for the relaunch of the national system and the launch of foreign projects, together with ICE, that are up to the industry we represent.
Apart from the four associations, there will also be collective members like Aip, Italian Fur Association. Under discussion is also the acquisition of a common site in Milan and the management of several services to have in common.
The union, which will be officialised in the next months, comes following an agreement to concentrate all the fairs and all the fashion shows in ten days in September. The new body will be child of the national table of fashion decided by Minister Carlo Calenda and handled by the Ministry of Economic Development. Indeed, the top management of the associations belonging to Confindustria will present the project to Mr. Calenda himself. The common topics to be addressed will be sustainability, distribution and production.
