In Milan Fashion Week 2011 high fashion clothing by famous fashion designers is nothing new, and in fact the city is renewing its claim to the title of fashion capital in the four days, 15 to 18 January 2011, dedicated to men’s collections for the autumn/winter 2011/2012 season. 39 runway shows, and 87 collections, for a sector that in Italy alone is worth 8 billion euro sales. The overall figure announced by the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana for fashion sales in Italy is just over 60 billion, which is significantly higher than the worst years of the recession, 2008-2009, but still much lower than the years of greatest success, the mid 1990s, when the total value was about double today’s statistics.
There seems to be overall optimism for the future. 30% of men’s fashion brands say that they are optimistic for 2011, while 70% expect business for this year to remain on a par with 2010.
Whatever happens, Milan is fully geared up for the shows and presentations. Organizers have opted, for the first time, for locations at the heart of the city, bringing fashion closer to the general public, exploiting the increasingly important link between Milan and Fashion in the global collective imagination. Famous designers like Ermenegildo Zegna, Dolce & Gabbana, Burberry Prorsum, Roberto Cavalli, Prada, Vivienne Westwood and Salvatore Ferragamo showcased their tremendous collection for F/W 2011-12 in MFW.