The 40th edition of Milano Unica, a point of reference for the high-end textile and accessories sector, opens today. The event, which will take place until February 6 at Fiera Milano Rho, this year welcomes 723 Italian and international exhibitors, presenting the collections for spring/summer 2026.
The attendance of companies marks an unprecedented milestone for the event, with an 18% growth compared to the previous edition in January. Of these, 556 participate in the Ideabiella, Moda In and Shirt Avenue salons, while 150 find space in the special areas and in the Korea and Japan Observatories, in addition to the presence of 17 publishing houses. The expansion of the fair has also led to a 12% increase in the exhibition space.
However, the event takes place in a challenging economic context for the Italian textile sector. According to preliminary data from Confindustria Moda, in 2024 the sector recorded a decline of 7,7%, bringing the overall turnover to 7,1 billion euros, with a weight of 11,8% on the entire textile and clothing industry. The decline in exports (-8,5%) and the contraction of the domestic market (-5,2%) had a negative impact, although some exceptions stand out, such as the 4,8% growth in sales to China and the good performance of exports to Vietnam and Sri Lanka.
On the import front, a reduction of 5,8% is estimated, with a total volume of 1,8 billion euros. Consequently, the trade balance of the sector stands at 2,042 billion, down by approximately 246 million compared to the previous year. At segment level, wool weaving, which represents almost 40% of the sector, records a negative trend, as do the production of cotton, silk, linen and knitwear, penalized by the weakness of demand.
Despite the complex context, Milano Unica focuses on innovation and creativity to offer new perspectives to the sector. Among the flagship projects of the edition, stands out Still Frame, a video installation curated by The Cube Archive, which explores the season's trends through images and visual suggestions. Beyond Tailoring, instead, offers an immersive experience in the world of men's tailoring, recounting its various production phases.
Special areas include theInnovation Area, promoted by TexClubTec to enhance the most innovative materials and processes, Mare of Fashion, a platform dedicated to fabrics for beachwear, lingerie and athleisure, and Startup Textile Connection, which brings together eight young Italian companies committed to issues such as circular economy, sustainability and digitalisation.
Milano Unica continues to be a meeting place between tradition and avant-garde. As President Simone Canclini emphasizes, the fair is not just a commercial showcase, but a research laboratory, capable of stimulating dialogue between past and future. A special tribute will be dedicated to Anna Piaggi, an icon of style and innovation, whose vision has left an indelible mark on the world of fashion.
