An article published on February 19th by Fashionmag.com talks about the impact of the crisis on the Italian sector.

‘Luxury brands have not been spared by the global economic turmoil and the sector has been hit by growing evidence of restrained spending even among the super-rich.
In a senate hearing this week, the head of Sistema Moda Italia, which represents the textile and clothing industry, warned of risks for the sector and called for government help.
The Industry ministry said a meeting would be held this week on the textile and clothing industry, adding it has already taken measures for the “Made in Italy” manufacturing sector.
Larger players look better able to weather the storm and observers see smaller and family-run companies being the hardest hit as production capacity outpaces demand.
Turnover for Italy’s fashion industry is expected to fall 5 percent this year to 63.2 billion euros ($79.58 billion), according to the fashion chamber.
At Milan’s January Autumn/Winter 2009/10 menswear fashion week, there were 20 percent fewer collections, Mario Boselli-Chairman of Italy’s National Chamber of Fashion- said, adding there would be about 10 fewer catwalk shows at Milan’s Feb 25-March 4 womenswear fashion week. Despite this, he said there would be more brands presenting designs.”Milan has 10 more collections than before the crisis,” he said. “People do not have the negative sentiment that they had before Christmas which affected January’s (menswear) shows.” ‘.

Read the whole article on this subject on Fashionmag.com http://uk.fashionmag.com/news/news.php?id=55141

Nice program at Prêt à Porter Paris from 30th January to 2nd February 2009 : Trends Fashion Shows Automn-Winter 2009, Talk about Ethic, Conference about the LME – Loi de Modernisation de l’Economie- and its consequences regarding terms of payment and promotions in France, such a program to interest both manufacturers and retailers from the fashion market.

Even if the number of visitors has been down, such as on the other European exhibitions of Fashion this winter, an intimate space inside Prêt à Porter Paris is going on its growth :  the Box.

The Box => 120 high end brands on  800 sq. meters (+15 % compared to past year), with a mix of famous brands and new creators.
In the middle of the Box, there was a focus on the Brussels designers for the 20th anniversary of ‘Belgian Pro’, the fashion guide edited by  Marie-Martine Israël ; Focus on some famous designers from Brussels such as Jean Paul Knott , Cathy Pill and Sophie D’Hoore , for apparel, Isabelle Lenfant  and Pili Collado for jewellery , Christophe Coppens for luxury accessories .

More info on Prêt à Porter Paris www.pretparis.com

More info on Belgian Pro www.belgianpro.com