Jan. 13 – “Fashion is something that breaks from the ordinary to create novelty,” says actor and writer Pino Caruso to explain one of the economic sectors that Italy has always had a say in. In particular, Milan and thus Lombardy refuse to give up their hegemony. According to a study by the Milan Chamber of Commerce on Infocamere and Istat 2012 and 2013 data, the sector is worth €14 billion in trade in the first 9 months of 2013, for a 1,6% increase over 2012. Milan is the unchallenged capital, with €7 billion in trade (€4 billion in exports and €3.2 billion in imports. Milan’s exports grew by 6.4% overall: mainly to the Middle East (17.9%), the Far East (11.8%), South America and Central Asia (6.7%). Half of the exports are directed to Europe (31.4% to the EU and 20.6% to the other countries). Within the EU, most products are directed to France (37,4%), Germany (15,3%) and the UK (11,5%). Switzerland also captures an important share (48,4%), while exports to Russia are worth €200 million (25,6%). In Asia, the main recipient countries are Japan (25%) and Hong Kong (23,1%). The US captures 10% of the export market. “The fashion industry represents a key factor in the economic recovery of the region and the country,” says Pier Andrea Chevallard, segretary general of the Milan Chamber of Commerce. He underlines that “the Chamber is actively contributing with the National Chamber of Fashion in the support of specific initiatives aimed at young designers. The goal is to offer younger generations creative opportunities to develop their projects.” Lombardy has 15.000 active firms in the sector, of which one third based in Milan: 2.600 provide clothing, 1.000 work with textiles, and 1.000 with leather goods. Milan also employs the largest numbers in the region, with 80.030 employees, followed by Naples (42.304) and Florence (37.605). All in all, Italian creativity is one of the few strongholds against the economic crisis.
