During the seasonal press conference held on Thursday by trade show organizer Pitti Immagine to present the schedule of Florence-based international men’s wear fair Pitti Uomo, running Jan. 10-13, Italian fashion and textile consortium SMI Sistema Moda Italia released its research on the status of the country’s textile and fashion compartment.
According to the study, after a positive first quarter that saw revenues gain 2.2 percent, compared with the same period last year, the second quarter slowed down, posting a 2 percent decrease. This referred to the textile, ready-to-wear and accessories markets. SMI provided a scenario, but not detailed figures.
According to data elaborated on the base of companies’ forecasts, the negative trend would continue in the third quarter of the year, with revenues expected to be down 2.4 percent.
Related Galleries
Data provided by the Italian National Institute of Statistics pointed that, in the first eight months of the year, the exports of textile and fashion products were up 0.5 percent to 17.5 billion euros, or $18.6 billion at current exchange rate, compared to the same period last year. While the total exports toward European countries, mostly Germany and France, rose 2.2 percent, those directed to the extra-European markets were down 1.6 percent. In particular, exports to the United States registered a 6.2 downturn, while those to Hong Kong and China were down 2.1 and 1.4 percent, respectively. Japan resulted an appealing market for Italian companies, which saw their exports to that country rise 4.6 percent.
In the same period, Italian imports, especially of Chinese, French, Turkish and German products, were up 0.2 percent to 12.1 billion euros, or $12.9 billion.
Despite the uncertain economy, Pitti Uomo is gearing up to host an edition filled with events, shows and special projects. According to Pitti Immagine, 1,220 companies will present their fall collections at the fair, which expects to welcome 3,600 visitors.
As reported, a range of international fashion brands will present their collections during Pitti Uomo, such as Paul Smith’s PS contemporary label; Golden Goose Deluxe Brand which will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its iconic sneaker at the city’s Stazione Leopolda; Z Zegna, which will see the return of Alessandro Sartori at its helm, and Tim Coppens.
Tommy Hilfiger will unveil its new men’s lineup with a digitally and technologically advanced installation, while Fausto Puglisi will fete the debut of its first men’s footwear collection.
Pitti Uomo’s program dedicated to the promotions of Made in Italy brands will present designs by Lucio Vanotti, Sansovino 6 and Carlo Volpi, the winner of the latest edition of talent competition Who Is on Next, who has teamed up with outerwear company Herno to design two capsule collections. The first will be presented at Pitti Uomo in January.
Larusmiani, Roy Rogers, Fila, Wrangler and Reebok will also unveil special projects in Florence.
In addition, an event curated by Italian fashion journalist Angelo Flaccavento will celebrate Kiton’s cofounder Ciro Paone and an exhibition opening on Jan. 9 at Palazzo Pitti will display photos from the rich archive of Studio Locchi. An unconventional version of “Don Giovanni” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Lorenzo da Ponte, with scenes by Barnaba Fornasetti and costumes by Romeo Gigli will be staged Jan. 10-12 at the Teatro della Pergola.