POSITIVE BALANCE FOR FASHION FAIRS:
MICAM MILANO, MIPEL, THE ONE MILANO AND MILANO FASHION&JEWELS CLOSE WITH 40,821 TRADE VISITORS FROM 150 COUNTRIES

Milan, 21 February 2024 - The four events dedicated to fashion and accessories that took place simultaneously at Fieramilano (Rho) to launch the trends for the coming seasons came to a satisfactory close.

The closing figures, thanks to incoming trade visitors from abroad, reflect a positive trend, a tangible sign of stability in a difficult economic moment.

MICAM Milano, MIPEL, The One Milano and Milano Fashion&Jewels welcomed a total of 40,821 trade visitors, 45% of whom came from abroad. In particular, from the European Union, France, Germany, Spain and Greece recorded the best performances; from non-European markets positive results came from Japan, China, Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom. To complete the chain logic of the exhibition offer, Lineapelle and Simac Tanning Tech are also currently taking place and will end tomorrow.

Once again, the will to work as a system and to present themselves to the market together won out: holding fairs concurrently is, in fact, not only an aspect that strengthens individual events, by allowing them to enjoy wider visibility, but above all represents a tool to stimulate international demand, offering buyers and dealers from all over the world a unique opportunity to grasp so many different aspects of the world of accessories at one time.

To represent this mutual benefit, the events came up with the English neologism Greatify, which means to make big and stronger.

Inaugurating the events was the Minister for Business and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, a presence that further underlined the importance of trade fairs as a tool for the promotion and internationalisation of Italian companies.

During the fairs, the pavilions buzzed not only with business opportunities but also the desire to innovate: in all the sectors represented, in fact, strong efforts are being made to renew production processes with the introduction of digitalisation and the latest technologies. But this forward thrust does not nullify, indeed it strengthens, a tradition rooted in craftsmanship, which is still alive in all the sectors represented by the events.

Another important example of shared intentions is that of training: workshops and educational and informative moments were organised at all events, in many cases involving young people, who represent the future, and schools, an indispensable bridge to the world of work for the new generations.

Now that this edition is over, we are already looking ahead to next September, again with a view to the supply chain and system.

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#GREATIFY THINK BIG: ACHIEVING PERFECT SYNERGY BETWEEN FEBRUARY'S FASHION TRADE SHOWS

#GREATIFY, or “greatness in the making”. This hashtag is the embodiment of the role of trade shows as hubs for venturing into new markets, fostering business growth and, above all, showcasing future trends.

Creativity and innovation are indispensable in the current business landscape, marked by VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity), a concept borrowed from project management and mirrored in trade fairs as well.

Innovation and excellence have always been the mainstay of the 6 trade shows that represent the fashion system and that, in February, will once again work in synergy and showcase their creations to the market. The six events are MICAM, the International footwear exhibition, MIPEL, the International exhibition dedicated to leather goods and fashion accessories, THEONEMILANO, the Outerwear and Haute à-Porter Exhibition, LINEAPELLE, the International exhibition dedicated to skins, accessories, components, synthetics, fabrics and patterns for the footwear, leather goods, clothing and furnishing sectors, and MILANO FASHION&JEWELS, devoted to high-end bijoux, jewellery and fashion accessories. The events are a platform for 2,951 brands and will spotlight new fashion trends, each unique but connected by common guiding principles. A seventh trade show, Simac Tanning Tech, is the leading event dedicated to technology for the footwear, leather goods and tanning industries, and will take place inside Lineapelle in September 2024, with over 300 exhibitors.

The upcoming shows will be a pivotal moment for buyers, who can explore up-and-coming fashion trends and stay abreast of recent developments across sectors.

All the events are united by four overarching themes. The first is sustainability, a tangible concept and the outcome of collaborative efforts across the fashion system, to ensure companies thrive in the expanding European market. Beneath a classic appearance, materials unveil their sustainable essence, and ostensibly simple products show their experimental nature. Fashion and sport converge to reflect a shared enthusiasm and a commitment to protecting people and the environment.

The second theme is the sensory experience. Seeing, touching, feeling – 2024 will bring a renewed interest in physical in-store shopping and direct human interaction. As our senses enhance our knowledge, they help us to navigate both the physical/tactile and the conceptual/creative sides of fashion – the same aspect which is epitomised in the trade shows, where company supply and buyer demand meet. This trend is also a homage to manual skills and the beauty of craftsmanship.

Positive future is the third theme – an optimistic calling to proactively shape a better tomorrow and a new normal, fighting surplus and abundance in favour of concreteness.

Additionally, two main trends unite exhibitors across shows.

The first trend embraces concepts such as #Old-money, #Granpacore, #QuietLuxury #IndividualCreativity and #Face. Despite using different names for this trend, each fashion segment is now focussing on a style suitable for both women and men, and on high-quality, well-crafted garments with precise silhouettes and the finest materials. The main features are lace-up shoes; vintage-style loafers; long straight coats made of fabric, shearling or fur; knitted jumpers with classic large stitches; jewellery with contemporary cameos inspiring a reflection on human individuality; and structured handbags with geometric shapes and defined edges, reflecting an assertive femininity and character. This trend thus becomes a portal to a past era of tradition and timeless charm.

#LunarRealm, #Gorpcore, #ExpressionOfModernTimes, #WhatDoYouMean – once again, different names for a single concept: pushing the primary meaning of a product and thrusting it into parallel worlds, to create spellbinding experiences. Exhibitors will showcase practical and functional utility coats and jackets, whose silhouettes are inspired by active sportswear. The new balance between analog and digital gives rise to innovative designs and prints, bags in malleable materials inspired by the concept of metamorphosis, and footwear rooted in the spirit of exploration. Collectively, these creations are shaping a future that blends high-tech comfort with a touch of cosmic elegance. Lastly, the jewellery on show defies conventional logic, breaking the mould to give a deeper meaning to objects.

Finally, the Lineapelle trade show will give a glimpse into the spring/summer 2025 season: this event is dedicated to raw materials, skins and accessories for fashion, and thus focusses on the following season compared to the other trade shows. The trends presented in Lineapelle are encapsulated by the slogan Vuja De (from déjà vu) – a call to unleash your imagination, embrace change, and to experience familiar situations as if for the first time. The high number of pre-bookings for the trade shows reflects a strong interest from both Italy and international buyers, with most non-Italian buyers coming from European countries such as Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Greece and Spain. Distant markets, including South Korea, Japan, the USA and Kazakhstan, are also showing a strong interest in the events.

Philip Clark*
February 13th 2024

*Press release promoting trade leading Italian trade shows to be held in Milano this month, PCDS Review fully supports: 'MICAM MILANO', 'MIPEL 125', 'TheOneMilano' and 'LINEAPELLE'!