Under the banner of #GREATIFY, or “greatness in the making”, the trade fairs will once again work in synergy from the 18^th to the 22^nd of February at Fieramilano Rho. The hashtag aims to highlight their role as hubs for entering new markets, driving business growth and, most importantly, showcasing future trends.

The fairs are MICAM, the international footwear exhibition, MIPEL, dedicated to leather goods and fashion accessories, THEONEMILANO, the Outerwear and Haute à-Porter Exhibition, Lineapelle, devoted to skins, accessories, components, synthetics, fabrics and patterns for footwear, leather goods, clothing and furnishing sectors, and MILANO FASHION&JEWELS, dedicated to high-end bijoux, jewellery and fashion accessories. Simac Tanning Tech, an event dedicated to technology for the footwear, leather goods and tanning industries, which will take place in Lineapelle in September 2024, is also part of this joint effort.

The forthcoming events, “each unique but connected by common guiding principles” will act as a “pivotal moment for buyers” to explore “up-and-coming fashion trends and stay abreast of recent developments across sectors”. According to the organisers, a total of 2 951 brands will show their collections over the five days.

“Creativity and innovation are indispensable in the current business landscape, marked by VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity)”, reads a statement from the organisation. To respond to this context, the trade fairs will focus on themes such as sustainability and sensory experience, as “2024 will bring a renewed interest in physical shopping in stores and direct human interaction”. Looking to a positive future, they will also serve as “an optimistic call to proactively shape a better tomorrow and a new normal, fighting surplus and abundance in favour of concreteness”.

MICAM Update

The MICAM organisation says it is preparing to welcome buyers from 150 countries and will host 923 brands, of which 464 are Italian and 459 foreign, mainly from Spain, Turkey, Brazil, Germany and Portugal. 

“The quality and success of a trade fair can be measured by two yardsticks: its vocation for generating innovation, and its ability to attract professionals from all over the world”, says the Chair of MICAM and Assocalzaturifici, Giovanna Ceolini. “In addition to these two variables, MICAM also offers a focus on sustainability and a great opportunity for professional updating”.