Italian eyewear shown for the first time in Shanghai
Italian eyewear returns to the most prestigious international catwalks and decides to preview the new 2005 collections in some of Made in Italy's most strategic markets.
The inaugural fashion show of 2005 takes place in Shanghai today in one of the most elegant venues the city has to offer, 'Bund 18'. Included are 98 eyewear styles for corrective spectacles, sunwear and sports eyewear for men, women and children. In keeping with a theme based on the five trends that will distinguish fashion in the forthcoming seasons, the new eyewear styles will share the limelight with original eyeglass cases. It all adds up to a unique opportunity for the 38 participating firms to launch or expand their presence in China, and meet with the press, buyers, and industry professionals in a setting where they can show off the highlights of their new collections—from the leading brands to the niche offerings by medium and small-sized manufacturers.
Taking the runway there are signature lines like Gianfranco Ferré, Missoni, John Richmond and Vivienne Westwood (Allison), Lancetti (Arlecchino), North Sails (Celes), Givenchy, Céline, Etro, Mini and Fila (De Rigo), Dunlop, Think Pink and Tonino Lamborghini (Demenego), Christie's (Di Esse), Renato Balestra and Gattinoni (Ioves), Chiara Boni (La Giardiniera), Versace and Versus (Luxottica), Roberto Cavalli, Montblanc, Timberland, Miss Sixty, Replay and The North Face (Marcolin), Paloma Ricasso and Revlon (Metzler), Emporio Armani, Giorgio Armani, Burberry, Dior, Gucci, Max Mara, Ralph Lauren and Yves Saint Laurent (Safilo), Alviero Martini (Sover), Enrico Coveri (Vecellio), Mila Schön (VidiVici), Blumarine, Laura Biagiotti, Iceberg, Trussardi and Mandarina Duck (Visibilia), along with many equally-famous house-brands such as Arlecchino (Arlecchino), K:Actor e Genesis (Area), Robe (Auber), Baruffaldi (Baruffaldi), Diva (Brillarte), Sting and Police (De Rigo), People (Di Esse), Microlite (Dysma), Grant (Grant), Paolo Seminara and Nouvelle Vague (Italian Style), Click 12 (Joint Project), Divinaefollie (Kàdor), Phoenix (La Fenice), Lastes (Lastes), Arnette, Persol, Ray-Ban and Vogue (Luxottica), Cébé (Marcolin), Maryla Matinée (Maryla Matinée), Living the Nature (Martini Occhialeria), Vanni (Nico), Made in Paradise (Optital), Viu-in (Optiwork), Roberto Cabras (Trenti), Cotton Club and Olivieri Studio (Trevi Coliseum), Exalt Cycle (VidiVici).
Children's wear takes center stage, with a special section devoted to kids, who model selections from People Young (Di Esse), Mira Kid (Logica), United Colors of Benetton and Robe di Kappa (Metzler), Rossini Kids (Optigen), and Lilliput (Trenti). A separate space is set aside for spectacle cases, an accessory that is essential to complete the look of anyone wearing a pair of eyeglasses, featuring the creations of Fedon and Gatto.
In a parallel move to develop new business opportunities and facilitate sales meetings for companies, thirteen Italian manufacturers will participate with a group stand at the Shanghai trade fair - Ciof - from February 24th to 26th.
The events scheduled for 2005 are part of a program backed by Anfao (the Italian Optical Goods Manufacturers' Association), in response to a significant agreement with the Italian Ministry for Manufacturing Activities, and thanks to the contribution made by Ice (the Italian Institute for Foreign Trade).
'The year 2005 promises to be a momentous one for Made in Italy products', stated Cirillo Marcolin, President of Anfao, 'and especially for the eyewear industry, because it will find us at the forefront in key international markets with a strategic program of activities to promote our products'.
The New York fashion show is set for March 11 at 5:30 p.m. at 'Gotham Hall' (1356 Broadway), the renowned New York fashion and trendsetting stage. After the huge success here last year, the Moscow fashion parade will be held once again at the 'Pushkin Literary Museum' (Ulitsa Prechistenka) on March 9 at 6:00 p.m. Adolfo Urso, Italy's Deputy Minister for Manufacturing Activities will make a special appearance to discuss the various problems inherent to this market and the promotion of Made in Italy products.
Rife with new and stimulating ideas, these three appointments are the showcase where Italian firms can make a strong and purposeful presentation of their own creations, where the utmost in technological advances meets the unique expression of quality and style.
