Proud of their rich heritage and intense creativity, both leaders in ready-to-wear for women, certainly being competitors and having several differing points of view (origin labelling, fight against counterfeiting...), have understood recently the idea of an alliance. The union of a flexible and reactive Italian industry mastering the whole production process with Paris as a worldwide famous fashion place: a bet for the future, offering the world a coherent image of European fashion.

Since the beginning of the 2000's, the Fédération Française de la Couture, du Prêt-à-Porter, des Couturiers et des Créateurs de Mode has been working closely with the Camera Nazionale della Moda (Italian Fashion Chamber), just like Altagamma and the Comité Colbert in the luxury sector. Moreover, French groups have grown with the acquisition of Italian brands (Fendi for LVMH and Gucci for PPR) and the arrival of Italian designers (Stefano Pilati for Yves Saint-Laurent (PPR) and Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy (LVMH)).

As regards commercial exchanges, according to the IFM, Italy is France's first textile supplier and second apparel one, whereas France is Italy's second apparel supplier and third textile one.

In the textile sector, the big differences between Italian and French facilities don't prevent both countries from engaging in targeted collaborations. For instance, the Groupement Moulinage Texturation Unitex (downtwisting and texturing association) has been gathering 3 to 4 times a year with the Associazione Italiana dei Torcitori della Seta e dei Fili Artificiali e Sintetici, so as to define common strategies (international trade, promotion of value-added benefits of downtwisting and texturing...).

Regarding trade shows, Italy has been actively participating in Première Vision, whereas Eurovet (organizer of the Salon International de la Lingerie) and Mare di Moda - Intimo di Moda have begun to see the point in getting together. Far more advanced in their partnership, the Fédération Française du Prêt-à-Porter Féminin, the Fiera di Bologna and Massimilio Bizzi (owning White fashion shows) have recently announced the creation of a new trade show called “Link.it, Link.fr”, which will take place alternately in Paris and Bologna (4 times a year). Said to be the new fast fashion meeting, this trade show will gather specialists in ready-to-wear for women, men, kids, as well as accessories. The same concept could be used later in the USA and in Asia.

Source: Portugal Textil April 15th 2008