German Italian Fashion Experience is a bilateral exchange project for emerging fashion designers from both countries, launched by CNMI, Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, and Fashion Council Germany.

With a focus on sustainability and the responsibility, the project aims to increase the visibility of talents in both Italian and German market and providing them with business opportunities through B2B meetings with retail experts and buyers. 

 

The initiative is developed with the help of the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. ITA is currently planning a worldwide campaign on “Nation Branding” with the aim of revitalizing the country’s image and giving its export sectors the greatest possible support from the pandemic affected. The initiative further supports the business development of national companies abroad and aims to promote the attractiveness of foreign investments in Italy.

German Italian Fashion Experience project will run practically from June 8 to 11, 2021 on an eponymous website, where 10 independent brands per country will present their Fall 2021 collections in a virtual showroom and through a fashion film. Designers will also participate in digital workshops and webinars focused on sourcing, distribution, branding and media in Italy and Germany.

 

 

“Supporting emerging brands has always been a cornerstone of CNMI’s mission,” said Carlo Capasa, President, CNMI. “In these difficult circumstances for our industry, actively supporting emerging brands seems crucial as never before and the German Italian Fashion Experience 2021 offers an inimitable example of this commitment,” he added, highlighting how the initiative will enable designers to access the website site by fashion trade and public and will promote an intercultural exchange between young talents.

Scott Lipinski, CEO of Fashion Council Germany EV quotes “It is crucial for the future of the fashion industry to empower and promote the next generation of creative market players,” said. young talents, but also learn from their ideas and visions for the future of fashion. “

Francesco Alfonsi, Director, ICE said that “The German Italian Fashion Experience is an important collaboration that reveals how the fashion industry has struggled with determination despite the pandemic – proving that this period has not interrupted people’s creativity and their desire to share experiences”.

 

 

Italian brands that will be featured on the platform include Gentile Catone, Gilberto Calzolari, Apnea, Melampo, MRZ, Radica Studio, Tiziano Guardini and DassùYAmoroso, as well as Accessories brands Amato Daniele and Michele Chiocciolini.

The German Cohort includes Antonia Zander, Buki Akomolafe, Julia Leifert, Lara Krude, Natascha von Hirschhausen, Nina Rein, Oftt and Working Title, in addition to Accessory brands Faulhaber Products and Lutz Morris.

 

Earlier in March 2021, Carlo Capasa spoke about the Italian Fashion Industry’s prospects within the National Recovery & Resilience Plan during talks held by the lower Chamber’s industry Commission and the Senate’s European budget and affairs Commission. On this occasion, he quantified that up to Euros 3 billion would be necessary as part of an “immediate intervention” to support all the small and medium-sized enterprises in Italy, severely affected by Covid 19. The investment is needed to restart a key sector in the Italian economy. With respect to the Recovery Fund, CNMI is activating detailed projects on environmental and social sustainability, digitalization, internationalization, and training to ensure a specialized and competitive future on the global market for the new generations.

 

Italian Fashion Industry  

The industry is one of the industries hardest hit by the pandemic, with sales down 26% to around Euro 75 billion. Fashion sector is Italy’s second industry, with sales in 2019 of almost Euro 100 billion. Exports amounted to Euro 71.5 billion in 2019. The industry also ensures jobs for about 550,000 people in Italian manufacturing and as many again in trade and services for a total of 1.1 million individuals. Italian fashion also represents 41% of fashion sector in Europe and equals to what the automotive industry is for Germany.

 

Image Credits: CNMI, Italy and Italian Trade Agency, Germany

Video Credits: German Italian Fashion Experience, Fashion Council Germany