China-Italy fashion road meets in Shenzhen
The 2020 China-Italy fashion road event took place at the Dalang “fashion town” complex in Shenzhen in December, local media have reported.
Co-sponsored by China Leather Industry Association (CLIA), Shenzhen Leather Industry Association and the Dalang fashion town construction management centre, the event saw the official opening of the China-Italy footwear and bags creative design centre, as well as the launch of the Longhua district (Shenzhen) international communication project.
The wider intention behind the event was to “seize the major historical opportunity” for internationalisation presented by Shenzhen’s position within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, local media said, plus “accelerate the comprehensive transformation” of China’s textiles industry from processing and manufacturing into a globally leading fashion industry through greater local innovation, entrepreneurship and creativity.
Notably, the event also sought to provide a platform for the implementation of China’s 2020-24 action plan for the “high-quality development of the fashion industry”, which includes the development of “high-end” technology and the internationalisation of local brands.
Speaking during the opening, chairman of CLIA, Li Yuzhong (pictured), stated that the future of the leather industry will be anchored in digitalisation, integration and originality of design.
Commenting via video link, director of the Italian Leather Research Institute (SSIP), Edoardo Imperiale, said: “The friendship between China and Italy is once more demonstrated by this event. The Italian leather industry is currently exploring new models and hopes to return to China again soon, to continue to promote international exchange and development within the leather industry.”
The China-Italy footwear and bags creative design centre, part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, will focus on exploring - and professionalising - the creative potential of the Greater Bay Area, particularly in the areas of design and technology, with Shenzhen as its capital. Training, ideas incubation and exchange activities will all be facilitated by the centre.
In a sign of things to come, design specialists from Fendi and Tod’s discussed the state of the international leather shoes and accessories industry during a panel discussion moderated by footwear designer Cao Zhonghua. WGSN trend analysis experts also presented their forecasts for 2021/22.
Deputy district mayor of Shenzhen, Zhang Nasha, said that the centre would help the city to “speak on behalf of the Chinese footwear and bags industry - to the world”.
Image: CLIA.
