MILAN — The current financial crisis was the main theme at the seasonal press conference held Tuesday at Palazzo Marino by the Italian Fashion Chamber to present the upcoming Milan Fashion Week calendar.
“We usually talk about brands, shows, locations etc., but this time I think that we must be respectful and we must try to explain what’s happening in this period of crisis,” said Mario Boselli, president of the Italian Chamber of Fashion. “Of course the mind runs back to the difficulties of August 2008 and to the Lehman Brothers crash the following September. But to be concrete, we must work hard and do everything we can to prevent what happened that year, even if of course the companies now have different structures to fight the crisis.”
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According to financial data provided by the chamber, the fashion industry is expected to close 2011 with sales of 62.6 billion euros, or $88 billion at current exchange, up 4 percent from 2010. Exports are supposed to rise 13.9 percent to 41.6 billion euros, or $58.4 billion, this year compared to 2010.
“These data are still positive but according to last June’s estimates the industry was foreseen to rise 8 percent from last year,” said Boselli. “Our goal is to try to increase the exports to developing countries.”
In addition, Boselli revealed the intention of recapitalizing the chamber in October. “The chamber has limited financial resources that have already been spent,” he said. “We really want to keep the same quality standards in supporting the fashion industry and this is possible only if we have enough capital.” Boselli declined to elaborate.
As for the fashion week schedule, it opens with Gucci on Sept. 21 and closes on Sept. 26 with Gianfranco Férre. About 200 collections will be presented during the week for a total of 74 shows, including the return of long-established firms such as Genny and Trussardi.
Last season’s locations have been reconfirmed, except for Piazza Duomo, that will host the celebration for the new Milan’s archbishop on Sept. 25. The brands that previously showed there will move to the 13th-century Loggia dei Mercanti, which will also host for the first time a children’s fashion show on Sept. 27. Proceeds will benefit the “Children in Crisis Onlus.”