Cristina Tajani, Councilor for Fashion of the Municipality of Milan, e Silvio Albini, President of Milano Unica, presented, at Palazzo Marino, the fourth edition of Milano Unica China, which will be held in Shanghai from 21st to 24th October in collaboration with Intertextile Apparel Fabrics. 133 companies from the top of the Made in Italy textile-accessories range will take part in the by now traditional Chinese appointment of the Italian Textile Exhibition. A participation still growing compared to the corresponding edition of 2012 which had seen the presence of 124 companies.
The third edition was held in Beijing in March of this year and was visited by around 2.300 representatives of companies and stylists from the entire Far East (+15% on Beijing 2012). Of these, around 650 appeared to have been new registrations, coming from all over the continent, in line with the selection criteria established by the event.
The trend of exports of fabrics to the People's Republic of China in the first 6 months of 2013 saw an overall drop of 2% compared to the same period of the previous year. There was significant growth (+35%) for knitted fabrics, against a decline (-6,8%) in exports of worsted wool fabrics which represent around 45% of the total value of exports of made in Italy fabrics (equal to over 103 million euros). Together with carded wool fabrics, which are also down (-7,6%), however they are the only ones to record a positive balance of trade which, overall, sees our exports weigh about half the value of imports.
Our exports of cotton fabrics are also down (-3,1%) which show a negative balance of the specific trade balance. However, it should be emphasized that while in quantity they represent only 10% of imports of cotton fabrics from China, in value their weight is greater than 22%. That is, the unit value of exported products is significantly higher.
However, an indirect contribution to weaving in the first 6 months of 2013 came from clothing exports to China which grew by 18,7% for a value of over 206 million euros.
“Milan is ever closer to textile operators and the entire fashion system. Confirming that the collaboration begun in recent months is now becoming a new way of presenting the city abroad together with the best of its made in Italy production, because Milan is inextricably synonymous with fashion, creativity and quality”. As the Fashion Councilor of the Municipality of Milan Cristina Tajani who added: “Milan thus confirms itself, despite international competition from other cities, as the preferred showcase for high-end textile manufacturers and we, as an Administration, are increasingly committed to fostering cooperation between the public sector and operators to enhance the competitiveness of the sector”.
“Textile exports to China – he comments Silvio Albini, Chairman of Milano Unica – have overall suffered a decline due to the slowdown in the economy of that large market, which however, together with Hong Kong is the second most important market. However, the quality, research and service offered by Italian manufacturers are at the basis of the development of Chinese fashion. More and more the Italian taste, the national lifestyle, have taken hold in the local collective imagination. China is a constantly evolving market, where "new" consumers are increasingly attentive to the "old" values: they ask for excellence and consistency in the supply chain - control of raw materials, the production process, the exclusivity of the product, the relationship of customer service. In other words, Chinese consumers, as well as Russian, Japanese and Turkish consumers, want the excellence, the know-how, the authentic values of true Made in Italy”.
“In addition to our collections, we intend to bring a smaller version of the Trend Area to Shanghai, at the entrance to the Pavillion, to create what we define in Milan as “the gateway to the world of textiles–accessories, the professional guide to the collections and to the trends of the season. The Trend Area has a certain impact on visitors, it is a heritage that deserves to be offered to a market eager for qualified input and a high professional level of Made in Italy. It is an added value that we intend to give to our event. It is a selection of materials, carried out according to the judgment of the Milano Unica Style Commission, based on the two themes of the current edition, of the collections of the exhibiting companies that have interpreted the directions indicated” he declares Massimo Mosiello, General Manager of Milano Unica.
The great event in Milan is always the heart of the worldly "Italian lifestyle" part of the fair: an important photographic exhibition, created by the master of photography John Gastel, one of the most international names in Italian photography. Heir to the aristocratic and sophisticated style that characterizes the ancient Milanese noblesse (he is the nephew of Luchino Visconti), he reflects culture, elegance and charm in his style. The gala dinner will be enriched by videos and important initiatives dedicated to young Chinese talents, some of which have established themselves on the international scene also thanks to their participation in On STAGE, one of all Uma Wang. The intent is always to bring emerging Chinese fashion design closer to Made in Italy quality and product. Godmother of the evening will be Ying Wang, researcher and scouter of talents in the field of Chinese and international fashion.
Again Milano Unica and young people: the future of the quality of international fashion lies in the union of new talents and textiles, in a training course for the new generations in the quality, research and innovation of Made in Italy.
Another novelty to communicate is the anticipation of the date of the next edition, which will still take place in Shanghai and no longer in Beijing. To meet the needs of exhibitors and the market, Intertextile Apparel Fabrics and Milano Unica Cina will present the S/E 2015 collections on 3-5 March 2014.
