Italian footwear industry economic data for the first 9 months of 2024
The Italian footwear industry records a decline in the main indicators in the first nine months of 2024. Declines in exports (-9.2% in value on January-September 2023) with the sharp reduction in orders, had heavy repercussions on production activity (-18.9% Istat index of industrial production) and turnover (-9.7%).
This is the picture taken by the report of the Confindustria Accessori Moda Study Center for Assocalzaturifici, which shows how, with the effect of the post-Covid rebound over, and after a 2023 of substantial stability (at least in value), 2024 closes with negative signs in all the main variables. Estimating a sectoral turnover that the first 12-month projections show slowing by -9.3 percent, to 13.2 billion euros (almost 1.4 billion less than the previous year) and with inevitable effects on business demographics and employment.
“In the third quarter of 2024 there was no turnaround in the sector’s economic situation,” explains Giovanna Ceolini, president of Assocalzaturifici, ”on the contrary, more than 60 percent of companies closed with turnover below the levels achieved in the same period of 2023, with reductions of more than -20 percent for 1 out of 5 companies. The cumulative data for the first 9 months therefore confirm the difficulties that had already emerged in the first part of the year. The reflective performance of many major international economies, in Europe and outside the EU, and a geopolitical context that is anything but favorable, which has seen the addition, in addition to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, of another front of instability in the Middle East, have severely penalized footwear exports in 2024. If in the European Union sales show fairly moderate declines (-2.6 percent in value overall, with -2 percent in France and -6.2 percent in Germany), on non-EU markets the drop is -15.3 percent. Results on which were undoubtedly also weighed by the slowdown suffered by many luxury brands, whose development had contributed in recent years to sustaining sector dynamics.”
Montblanc celebrate 100 years of Meisterstück in Chengdu
Montblanc celebrated the milestone anniversary of its iconic Meisterstück writing instrument during an exclusive event in Chengdu at the end of November. First unveiled in Los Angeles in May, the 100 Years of Meisterstück brand campaign, written and directed by American filmmaker Wes Anderson, now travels to the city of Chengdu to add another seminal chapter to the writing icon’s centenary celebrations, following the opening of Montblanc’s first flagship store in the city, the Montblanc Chengdu Taikoo Li Boutique.
Just as the new flagship boutique introduced a design concept blending Montblanc’s DNA with Chengdu’s inimitable creative spirit, the brand event held at the Dong’An Ge Hotel immersed guests into the brand campaign’s distinctive Montblanc universe, infused with the local flair of Chengdu.
The venue was reimagined to transport guests into the world of the brand campaign, with recreations of its various recognizable details such as the library room, the mountain setting and the overall color palette, all while spotlighting the evening’s honoree, the Meisterstück.
The evening built to a crescendo with creatively reimagined performances featuring exhilarating drumming and Sichuan opera acts, offering an innovative twist on the traditional Chinese art forms. Following the mesmerizing acts, the celebration reached its peak as guests gathered to commemorate the centenary of Meisterstück with a grand birthday cake unveiling.
Louis Vuitton launches 2nd edition of its Accessories Design Graduates Initiative
Louis Vuitton has announced the second edition of its Accessories Design Graduates Initiative, an annual competition aimed at celebrating and recognizing the innovation, creativity and talent of graduating fashion, arts and design students. This initiative reflects Louis Vuitton’s commitment to elevate and promote exceptional craftsmanship in leather goods and accessories.
Open to final-year Bachelor and Master students at 32 prestigious partner European and American schools and universities, the competition aims to empower the next generation of leather goods and accessories creators. Winners will have an opportunity to work with the House’s design teams, fostering a continuous exchange and creative dialogue around design, leather goods and accessories.
Students from partner universities are invited to apply for the competition until February 2, 2025 on a dedicated website.
‘Gianfranco Ferré dentro l’obiettivo’ exhibition
From December 6 2024 until March 9 2025, the exhibition “Gianfranco Ferré dentro l’obiettivo”, organised by Forte di Bard and curated by the Gianfranco Ferré Research Centre of Politecnico di Milano and CZ Fotografia, offers an unprecedented journey dedicated to the great architect and fashion designer, eighty years after his birth.
The itinerary of the exhibition is designed to tell the story of Gianfranco Ferré’s work through photographic images, black and white prints, colour prints, slides and samples, enriched with garments, sketches and drawings.
The protagonist of the narrative is the photographic section of the Gianfranco Ferré Historical Archive: over 90 works, never before exhibited, by eight masters of fashion photography who worked with Ferré on iconic advertising campaigns: Gian Paolo Barbieri, Guy Bourdin, Michel Comte, Patrick Demarchelier, Peter Lindbergh, Steven Meisel, Bettina Rheims and Herb Ritts.
20 YEARS OF WeAr – AN ANNIVERSARY ISSUE
20 YEARS OF WeAr – ANNIVERSARY ISSUE
Our brand new WeAr Global Magazine Anniversary Issue 80 is now out. This is a special edition, celebrating the past two decades of the best in fashion and footwear combined with art. You can find an extended special celebrating the best of fashion and footwear design alongside outstanding interior design. Of course, this issue also features the best in fashion trends, the latest designers, and what to look out for. Get better insight and ideas through the featured reports from collaboration with different artists, to different industries. Get an overview of Leading Players in the fashion industry and experience the Winners of The Best Fashion Retailer of the World Award 2024. Learn about new brands in the Lookbook section and get inspired by the creative design this Storebook offers, featuring the best in both multi-label and mono-brand stores.
Get issue 80 in print or digital here
20 YEARS OF WeAr – THE BOOK
Plus, to celebrate 20 years of WeAr, for the first time the magazine is reprinted in a hard-cover format. Get this special collector’s item to celebrate the very best of fashion and art from the last 20 years. Available in English only, this special edition will also include the “Best of 20 years of WeAr” Special, printed on special paper, which will highlight some outstanding fashion and footwear items, alongside special store designs which the editorial team of WeAr has published in the past two decades. Get this special coffee table book as a celebration of fashion and art throughout 20 years.
Colnago launches leisurewear capsule collection & limited edition bike
Colnago, historic Italian company producing racing bicycles, celebrates seventy years of innovation and excellence of Made in Italy. To commemorate this important milestone, Colnago launches a limited edition capsule collection of leisurewear and presents its Steelnovo, a new and exclusive steel bike. Founded in Cambiago in 1954, the company has been able to combine craftsmanship, technology and cutting-edge design, becoming synonymous with elite performance and uncompromising quality. Symbol of manufacturing and cycling excellence at an international level. 2024 marks a special moment for the company: after the triumphs of the V4Rs at the Giro d’Italia, the Tour de France and the Zurich World Championship, Colnago celebrates its 70th anniversary with renewed pride, presenting 70 exclusive examples of the Steelnovo bicycle and a capsule collection limited edition leisurewear, paying homage to a fundamental chapter in its history.
The use of high quality raw materials, expert manufacturing, Made in Italy and meticulous attention to detail are distinctive elements of both Colnago. Just like in tailoring, where each fiber is chosen with care to ensure resistance and beauty, Colnago carefully selects the materials for its bikes, ensuring that each component contributes not only to performance, but also aesthetics overall. This parallelism highlights how, in both sectors, the creative process and productive requires dedication, passion and a deep knowledge of techniques, making every unique product of the highest value.
The capsule collection, handmade in Italy by highly specialized artisans, is composed of of ten heads. Among the most iconic and distinctive models are three outerwear made with fabric Loro Piana: the elegant navy blue trench coat (with Storm System® treatment), the timeless field jacket (with Rain System® treatment:), and the bold varsity jacket (with Storm treatment System®:), all in 100% cashmere and enriched by the Colnago Manifesto embroidered inside the jacquard lining. The collection includes, in addition to outerwear, also a sophisticated and enveloping polo shirt in cashmere, available in long and short sleeve versions. The T-shirt collection completes piquet cotton polo shirts, crew-neck sweatshirts and hoodies: linear and elegant garments, all with the Colnago logo finely embroidered. All items will be available exclusively online on the Colnago website.
Kering sets verified science-based Net-Zero emissions target
Following its updated science-based target in 2021, Kering has taken another significant step to strengthen the Group’s climate ambitions and help deliver a net-zero economy. Kering has committed to reach net-zero greenhouse emissions across its value chain by 2050, and to do so, has set ambitious near- and long-term Group-wide emissions reduction targets in line with climate science and the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) net-zero criteria.
Verified and approved by SBTi, Kering’s Net-Zero science-based targets were published on SBTi’s target dashboard.
Marc Cain launches international campaign in New York and London
Marc Cain is continuing to invest in its brand awareness and is launching a comprehensive out-of-home campaign in two of the world’s most important fashion cities: New York and London. Just in time for the festive season, from November 1, the spotlight is on the highlight looks of the new label Marc Cain Glam.
At New York’s iconic Times Square, image and video motifs will be displayed throughout the year, with content updated monthly to showcase the latest campaign visuals. In London, the campaign kicked off on November 18 and will run for two weeks in central Underground stations, such as Knightsbridge and King’s Cross, where eye-catching videos will highlight Marc Cain’s fashion.
Avant Toi celebrates 30th anniversary with exclusive project
On the occasion of its 30th anniversary Avant Toi presents its exclusive project: THE ICON.
A signature piece of the brand, THE ICON foulard scarf is the result of a skilful combination of silk fused on a cashmere and silk veil, with distinctive destroyed edges. It represents the essence of AVANT TOI’s craftsmanship, in which each piece is unique and one-of-a-kind.
In this special Anniversary Edition, THE ICON reaches new heights thanks to a pictorial technique which is completely hand painted, bringing to life unique compositions in fluid brushstrokes of sophisticated grey, black, and white tones. A precious version with silver lamination adds an unparalleled shine.
This numbered edition comes with a certificate of authenticity and is presented in an exclusive celebratory packaging, transforming each piece into a true collector’s item.
PLEASE READ THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS CAREFULLY