Translated by
Nicola Mila
Published
January 25, 2024
Speaking at a press conference for the next White Trade Show, set to take place on Milan’s Via Tortona from 22 to 25 February, Massimiliano Bizzi, founder and creative director of the event, sent a strong message to the Italian fashion industry and the country’s authorities.
Massimiliano Bizzi
“These are times of great change and fashion must adapt to become even more relevant. It needs to innovate and demand more from public institutions to improve its international standing,” Bizzi told the conference.
“After the pandemic, only a handful of relatively small fairs will take place in Paris. In this context, Milan has the potential to attract much more foreign visitors to its fairs and become the European fashion capital. The White Show is contributing by introducing new projects that complement the B2B format, such as Expo White and White Village, the latter designed to attract both locals and tourists,” added Bizzi.
Speaking at the conference, Alessia Cappello, Milan City Councilor for Economic Development and Employment, said: “Fashion is the second largest industry in Italy and has a major impact on the city of Milan, with 3,000 fashion companies, 600 showrooms and the entire trade fair sector. During Milan Fashion Week, sales in all kinds of shops increase by 10% compared to usual, and fashion and design also have a positive impact on tourism. Thanks to these two sectors, Milan in 2023 could welcome a record 8.5 million tourists, 1 million more than in 2019.”
It remains to be seen whether Milan will be able to surpass Paris and other major European cities to become a major fashion hub, as Bizzi hopes.
Copyright © 2024 FashionNetwork.com All rights reserved.
