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Italian textile trade show Milano Unica <\/a>kicked off its 39th edition Tuesday with 18 percent more exhibitors than last year\u2019s event, and 22 percent more than its pre-Covid 2019 show.<\/p>\n The three-day event has relocated to a larger location with the Fiera Milano Rho exhibition center on the outskirts of the fashion capital, which provides just under 25 percent more space to accommodate the growing interest.<\/p>\n More from Sourcing Journal<\/strong><\/p>\n With 700 exhibitors\u2014569 of which are participating in the show\u2019s three exhibitions: Ideabiella, Moda In and Shirt Avenue, and the remainder divided between the special areas and the Korea<\/a> and Japan <\/a>observatories\u2014all of Italy\u2019s unique textile districts were \u201cfully represented\u201d in both terms of the number of participating companies and the \u201cfull range\u201d of their offerings, the textile fair said in a statement.<\/p>\n Italy\u2019s textile districts are concentrated in Biella, Prato, Como, Busto Arsizio and Vicenza, with specialties ranging from wool to silk, knitwear, recycled textiles, hosiery and more.<\/p>\n \u201cI think Milano Unica represents\u2014at the international level\u2014one of the most important events for manufacturers on one hand, and on the other, for buyers of high-quality fabrics and accessories,\u201d said Simone Canclini, the show\u2019s newly-elected president. \u201cThe products showcased are characterized by innovative style, designed to meet all the needs of the entire sector downstream, with a focus on sustainability and circular economy.\u201d<\/p>\n While the industry is facing certain challenges, including a negative trend in production and commercial activity that\u2019s been lingering since last year, the increase in attendance underscores Milano Unica\u2019s importance as a platform for premium and luxury manufacturers. The first quarter of 2024 recorded a \u201cgeneral decline\u201d in Italy\u2019s domestic production and international trade, emphasizing double-digit drops in both exports and imports throughout various product segments.<\/p>\n Only exports to China <\/a>and Hong Kong <\/a>revealed data went against the downward trend, solidifying the countries\u2019 status as the first export markets for made-in-Italy products, the organization said. It\u2019s also worth noting that even though the industry tends to place Italian-made textiles at the highest end of the spectrum, these goods are still affected by the performance of the luxury<\/a> sector on the global scale, Milano Unica leadership said.<\/p>\n