Italian textiles industry shakeup holds promise of better times to come

05 Aug '05

1 min read

Despite declines registered in production value, industry employment and exports of textiles and apparel since 2001, several analysts and industry players view a shake-up of the Italian manufacturing industry positively.

Altagamma, an association of 58 leading Italian luxury product manufacturers, believes that the Italian market is becoming increasingly polarised with the middle market apparel producers losing share to the mass-market segment creating some room for expansion in the luxury apparel end.

This group aim to reinforce the many strengths of Italian luxury brands, particularly in the knitwear segments. They want to remind the world of the value and beauty of Italian craftsmanship and hand-finishing in a world dominated by mass production.

Coupled with this, they suggest that Italian manufacturers should be focusing their marketing muscle in China, Eastern Europe, Russia and the Middle East where the 'Made in Italy' image is still highly regarded.

While some Italian manufacturers move to more niche, luxury apparel and products, Others, like Zegna, are beginning to make bold moves, particularly in the Chinese market with a new middle-priced label to be sold in Asia as a made-in China-collection.

AWI

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