MILAN — Four of Italy’s leading textile trade shows — Moda In, Ideacomo, Ideabiella and Shirt Avenue — plan to join forces this fall, running a combined show in Milan.
The idea of a combined show, which has been kicked around for several years, will be tested Sept. 13-16 at the Milan Fairgrounds.
“We have always talked about it and always desired it,” said Ideabiella president Paolo Zegna, who noted that each show would maintain its own identity and policies, even with all four under the same roof.
Max Dubini, president of Moda In, said the combined event “will highlight the Italian textile industry’s world presence.”
Exhibitors, some of whom participated in more than one of the shows, generally reacted warmly to the news, though some said they would continue to host multiple specialized booths.
“It will be hard but necessary to maintain because there are two diverse lines in the company,” said Lanficio di Quarona, president of Sergio Perotto, whose firm shows women’s tweeds at Moda In and men’s suit fabrics at Ideabiella.
Meanwhile, in Florence, Prato Expo president Riccardo Marini said he was holding off deciding whether to join the combined fair until he hears more about how the shows will be managed.
“The internal policies of the united fair haven’t been finalized,” he said. “Those are fundamental factors to get us to pack our bags and go to Milan.”