Milan is gearing up for its vibrant 2025 trade show season with significant events lined up, showcasing the essence of international fashion and retail, as well as setting the stage for increased tourism-driven purchasing. Key events such as MICAM and Mipel are set to take center stage, featuring numerous exhibitors, innovations, and opportunities for networking.
The MICAM trade show will run from February 23 to 25, 2025, at Fiera Milano, featuring 853 brands. It serves as the international footwear show where manufacturers, buyers, and journalists congregate to explore the latest styles and trends. The event is expected to draw significant attention, with prominent Italian and international brands presenting their latest collections, showcasing the overarching influence of Italian craftsmanship.
Simultaneously, the 127th edition of Mipel - the International Leather Goods Show - will be hosted at Fiera Milano-Rho from February 23 to 25, 2025. Organized by Assopellettieri, it has garnered support from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Italian Trade Agency (Agenzia ICE), along with the endorsement of the Municipality of Milan. This year, over 200 brands are set to participate, highlighting both established and new names, which will be moving their latest works for the 2025-2026 fall/winter season.
This year’s Mipel is not only celebrating its historical roots but also adapting to contemporary requirements by introducing the new "Mipel Factory – The Leather Lab." This hands-on space within the exhibition hall is where visitors can witness the craftsmanship of leather goods firsthand, observe production stages, and even personalize items with their initials. Featuring state-of-the-art technology, this initiative is expected to marry traditional skill with innovation, delivering insights on how technology can optimize craft production. The Mipel event will also offer targeted networking opportunities for international buyers, enhancing connections within the industry.
The engagement doesn't stop with buyers; Mipel has enlisted influencers from the fashion sector, including Federico Galli and Simona Bertolotto, to amplify the event’s outreach on social media platforms, creating dynamic interactions between brands and consumers, which is pivotal for driving sales and brand visibility.
Post-Mipel, on February 28, Milan will welcome the eighth edition of the Shopping Tourism forum at the prestigious Confcommercio center. This event, intended to unite tourism and retail operators, presents valuable insights on shopping tourism, which is considered to represent about 2% of total arrivals to Italy. Despite this small percentage, its impact on local economies showcases its high spending capacity among tourists.
Francesco di Cesare, President of Risposte Turismo, notes the importance of the shopping tourism sector, highlighting its potential for growth and the importance of positioning Italy as a beacon for shopping innovation. This year, the forum will discuss the rapid expansion of the outlet shopping space, increasing by 4% compared to 2023, with projected growth continuing as new establishments emerge.
The reported ascent of Via Montenapoleone as the premier global shopping destination, exemplified by the soaring rental values exceeding 20,000 euros per square meter, emphasizes the magnetism of Milan as not only a fashion capital but also as a lucrative market for high-end retail.
With Americans increasingly engaging with shopping tourism, more than 70% of them have traveled with shopping as their motive. The collaborative discussions at the Shopping Tourism event will also highlight how influential foreign shoppers can be for luxury brands as they shape their commercial strategies.
These upcoming events, steeped in tradition yet fueled by innovation, present tangible opportunities for Milan to solidify its status as both a fashion leader and a leading destination for shopping tourism. With initiatives like the Mipel Factory and the focus on digitalization with partners like Viamadeinitaly, trade shows will evolve to not only celebrate fashion but also embrace modern consumer engagements and technology within the unique cultural fabric of Milan.
By intertwining trade shows, exceptional brand experiences, and international tourism, Milan is primed to capture the attention of both the fashion industry and discerning shoppers from all over the world, ensuring its role as the unrivaled host of the 2025 trade show season.