Satisfied the companies , many foreign buyers and a strong group identity. After the first edition at Villa Ascari, this second one marked a quantum leap. A meaningful quotation: the English customer who said to have found the Carpi energy of 25 years ago. What is new is the certainty that “to be all together in a system” gives results. And there are those who hope that Carpi can access the exhibition network which counts.
CARPI – The official data are not yet available but it’s surely a record edition of Moda Makers, the fashion fair which took place in piazzale Re Astolfo from 15 to 17 November in which 44 district companies showed their 6.000 creations A/W 2017/2018. According to first feedback, the turnout has recorded more than 800 visitors, many of them traders, buyers and foreign distributors, especially Asian (Japanese and Chinese), but also north European, German, Spanish and Russian.
We visited the fair the second day, collecting opinions and sensations among the exhibitors. What, until a few months ago was a gamble, has now become a certainty.
«It’s going well, the clientele is international, the “container” is minimal but ideal to show the collections, which are the true stars – says Fabrizio Stermieri, owner of Paola Davoli Knitwear –. We thanks the Associations that did their best and we already think about the next edition».
Very pleased Giulia Carretti too, whose company SEA exhibited the line for women “She Wise” and part of the men’s collections “Wise Guy” and “Bellwood”. «I noticed many foreigners, especially Japanese, Norwegian, French, Spanish and Arabian – she says –. We “hooked” several contacts and we hope to see the results later on. The edition of May has been successful and we hope it is this one too».
On the scene of Moda Makers, as “newcomer” A. Lisa Mood, a clothing brand for young lady which was founded only a month and a half ago. “It’s our first fair. We are working well, but for us of course all contacts are new – says Alberto Paini, owner with his wife Denise La Frazia –. Ours is a knitwear product “made in Carpi” with Italian materials and we rely on foreign markets such as Austria, Germany, Greece, Spain, Japan, USA and Canada. It was time to organize an event like this in Carpi, indeed we needed it».
Cesare De Paoli, owner with his wife Donatella Lugli of Spruzzi, company which owns the brand of women’s clothing Donatella De Paoli, underlines the “quality” of the buyers. «This fair – explains De Paoli –, is really interesting: I noticed buyers operating at a higher level than the usual wholesalers attending fairs of this kind. We “spread” and got several contacts, we’ll see.
First time at Moda Makers for Dielle Knitwear too, a Carpi company manufacturing young and trendy women’s clothing. «This fair is a really good idea and it’s quite right, “to push” Carpi – comment Giorgia Galli and Morena Poletti, business partners with Marco Di Lorenzo –. We are present in Italy and abroad and we noticed so many foreign buyers ».
Among the new entries “Glò di moda”, a brand with original contemporary and cosmopolitan taste, that is part of the homonymous company owned by Gloria Pedretti and Loris Bigarelli. «In the last years we took part to Modaprima – says Ester Trasente, commercial manager –, but the cost was too much heavy . Moda Makers is an excellent showcase for Carpi and a nice way to promote the territory and its excellences. Of course, the location is not comparable to the Stazione Leopolda of Florence, but the fair is successful: they worked very well and I got many positive feedbacks from the customers. We do hope it will become the leading exhibition in Italy for this specific sector. We have all the preconditions for success».
According to Anna Giovinazzo, owner of Mr. Giuly Mode, Moda Makers has great potential. “If customers get used to come to Carpi – she explains – it can become a regular appointment intended to grow. The fact of “playing at home” for us is definitely a benefit , I Think we would not return anymore to Modaprima “.
«We noticed a lot of movement and especially people who returned to Carpi with enthusiasm after so many years – says Paola Casarini, commercial manager of the Rosso Perla, the company of her parents Maria Cristina Bulgarelli and Severino Casarini -. One of our English customers told us that, thanks to this fair , he has re-experienced the energy of 25 years ago. I think it is an important confirmation for our city, a signal that it still has its own identity, internationally recognized . And that excellent things can be organized at province level too».
Tamara Gualandi, owner of Donne da Sogno and president of Cna Federmoda, affirms that Moda Makers offered an opportunity for visibility to several district businesses. “There are many small companies manufacturing excellent and quality products which, thanks to events like this, can find their own space at an affordable price. But above all – she concludes – it’ is important the concept of “working as a team” among the entrepreneurs , promoting the territory and believing in the success of our city.».
See you at the next edition to be held in May. And, with a possible boom of exhibitors it would require a more spacious location, even in Piazza Martiri . (Claudia Rosini)
VOCE, 24 November 2016 (abstract)
