"Milano Unica XXII, Italian Textiles and Accessories Tradeshow witnessed two fold growth in exhibitors along with firm attendance. The recently concluded XXII edition of Milano Unica, Italian Textiles and Accessories Tradeshow, held from February 9-11 at Fieramilano city registered a significant overall increase, compared to the February 2015 edition in the number of firms that visited the Spring/Summer 2017 collections. Double digit growth witnessed for both Italian firms and foreign companies."

Milano Unica XXII, Italian Textiles and Accessories Tradeshow witnessed two fold growth in exhibitors along with firm attendance. The recently concluded XXII edition of Milano Unica, Italian Textiles and Accessories Tradeshow, held from February 9-11 at Fieramilano city registered a significant overall increase, compared to the February 2015 edition in the number of firms that visited the Spring/Summer 2017 collections. Double digit growth witnessed for both Italian firms and foreign companies.

 

This year’s event was preceded by an increase in number of exhibitors from 361 in last February to 371 this year. Foreign exhibitors totalled 72, in addition to 40 and 13 from the Japan and Korea Observatories, respectively. Therefore, the general total was 424, compared to 399 exhibitors recorded 12 months ago (+ 6 per cent).

Return of foreign firms

There was a significant and important comeback of Russian Federation as far as foreign firms are concerned. Double-digit increases also characterized European firms: Portugal (+33 per cent), Netherlands (+30 per cent), Great Britain (+27 per cent), Spain (+17 per cent), France (+15 per cent) and Germany (+14 per cent). Even the presence of U.S. firms grew (+4 per cent), while figures from Japan, Korea and Turkey remained stable. There was a significant drop in Chinese firms (-28 per cent), probably due to the Chinese new year holiday.

According to Ercole Botto Poala, President, Milano Unica, the XXII edition of the event was extraordinary for a number of reasons. First concerns an increase in the number of firms that visited our stands, which corresponded to general satisfaction among our exhibitors for the quality of business contacts made. Furthermore, he was delighted that it occurred during his period of presidency. “Even the idea of luxury should be updated to be synonymous with excellence, and not only exclusivity. Milano Unica will continue to be a tradeshow of excellence and creativity, presenting the finest of Italian invention to the world. Fashion begins with textiles and accessories, and Milano Unica will make it tangible, using modern-day instruments, from mood boards to social technology, communicating by means of emotions and sensations,” he says.

In September, Milano Unica teams up with Japan and Korea Observatories to launch ‘Origin Passion and Beliefs’, an exhibit dedicated to suppliers of fine quality semi-finished products ‘Made in Italy’, promoted by the Fair of Vicenza. Moreover, two days out of three, we will be in synergy with Lineapelle, the international tradeshow specializing in leathers, accessories, components, fabrics, synthetics and models. “This goes to prove that creating a network is not only through words but through facts,” says Poala.

Massimo Mosiello, General Manager of Milano Unica points out they are currently thinking about the IX edition of Milano Unica China (Shanghai, March from 16 to 18, 2016 and, above all, Milano Unica XXIII, scheduled for September 6-8, 2016, and will present Fall/Winter 2017-18 collections at the Rho-Pero headquarters of Fiera Milano. “As for Prima, scheduled for July 6-7, 2016, we have informed our exhibitors that we prefer Fieramilanocity, and will send confirmation as soon as we reach the number of exhibitors equivalent to the July 2015 edition”.

Glittering inaugural performance

The evening of the inauguration ceremony was characterized by a spectacular performance by Gloria Gaynor, disco music icon, accompanied by an 11 piece orchestra, who interpreted some of her greatest hits including “I Will Survive”, “I Am What I Am” and “Never Can Say Goodbye”. The evening began with a dialog between journalist Simone Marchetti and Ercole Botto Poala, President of Milano Unica. The topics included new trends of change and the project for the future Fair at the Rho-Pero headquarters, which will develop into a unique event, with a uniform layout and functional combinations to further facilitate fair visitors.