Being held from July 09-11at the Fiera Milano Rho, the 39th edition of Milano Unica recorded 18 per cent more exhibitors compared to the July 2023 edition, and 22 per cent more compared to the pre-COVID-19 July 2019 edition.
This year, the event hosts a total of 700 exhibitors, including 569 participating in the three main exhibitions - Ideabiella, Moda In, and Shirt Avenue - while the rest are divided between the Special Areas and the Korea and Japan Observatories.
All Italian textile districts are fully represented, reflecting both the number of participating companies and the comprehensive range of offerings. The growing number of exhibitors necessitated a 23 per cent increase in the exhibition area, prompting a move to exhibition halls 1-3, 2-4.
The event’s expanded scope has drawn significant attention from both international and domestic buyers, who are keen to explore collections characterised by quality, creativity, sustainability, and innovation. This surge in participation underscores Milano Unica’s critical role as a partner for textile and accessories manufacturers focused on high-end products, especially during challenging times for the industry.
Despite ongoing negative trends in production and trade, with the first quarter of 2024 showing a general decline in domestic production and international trade, the event remains a beacon of hope. While most segments of the textile industry experienced double-digit reductions in exports and imports, exports to China and Hong Kong offered some mitigation, confirming their status as key markets for Made-in-Italy products.
Simone Canclini, President, Milano Unica, highlights, the tradeshow’s signifance as one of the most important international events for high-quality fabrics and accessories. Despite current challenges, the event’s focus on quality, innovation, and sustainability reaffirms its position as a pivotal event for the sector, he adds.
The three-day event showcases creative and innovative proposals for the Fall-Winter 2025/2026 season, highlighting European and Italian excellence. Special areas, particularly the TendenzeSostenibilità Area and the Innovation Area, emphasise Milano Unica’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.
The MU Family project presents creative concepts through a storytelling approach that combines traditional manufacturing with modern technology, reflecting contemporary values like environmental respect and cross-generational style sharing.
New to this edition are MarediModa, previewing Summer 2026 collections, and Velvet Mi Amor by Stefano and CorinnaChiassai, celebrating the innovation of velvet through an artistic installation that merges fashion, music, and art.
Massimo Mosiello, General Manager, Milano Unica, emphasises the importance of strategic international collaborations in achieving the event’s success and maintaining its status as a reference point for textile and accessory excellence.
