On the occasion of Milan Fashion Week, Csm-Camera Showroom Milano (autonomous and independent association) presents a series of initiatives aiming to promote made-in-Italy collections.

Camera Showroom Milano represents over 600 brands from Italian SMEs, 33% of which are sold on the domestic market, while the remaining 66% are in foreign markets. "Sales of FW25/26 men's collections and women's pre-collections in CSM showrooms recorded a +2.5% compared to a year ago", reads a statement. "This means that, despite the period of great international instability, due to the ongoing wars, we are ahead of the curve signs of a recovery, which our CSM association wishes to consolidate even more thanks to the agreement with Confartigianato Moda and the events held in synergy during the Milanese fashion weeks."

The new edition of Artisanal Evolution, organized by Csm and Confartigianato Moda, with the contribution of Maeci and Agenzia Ice, will be held from February 25 to March 21 hosting around 25 foreign buyers. The brands of some Italian SMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises) will be presented in the multi-brand showrooms that join the association. Kangra will showcase its collection at Casile & Casile, BE980 at Boiocchi Showroom, Bazar Deluxe at DMVB Showroom, Valentino Orlandi at Daniele Ghiselli Showroom, Vert Lago at Elisa Gaito Showroom, Giovanna Nicolai at Panorama Moda, Alamanni at Spazio Coltri, Via Masini 80 at Studio Poggio, Sonia Villa at Studio Tato Sossai, Shade at Studio Zeta, Saulina Milano at The Place Showroom and Mariel Bags at Zappieri Milano. The artisan businesses participating in the project were offered an accompanying path, which began with a workshop in Milan on October 28 and continued with training and workshops that provided more information and advice so that artisan companies could present collections already in line with the market during the fashion week.

«The collaboration between Confartigianato and CSM is strengthened at every fashion week because Milan is the showcase for everything Made in Italy," said Moreno Vignolini, president of Confartigianato Moda. "The qualitative and creative work of the companies associated with our confederation is showcased this week. The memorandum of understanding with CSM allows us to strengthen this presence with events that guarantee an important synergy between Italian SMEs and top-level distribution. The historical period we are living in is full of unknowns and challenges and only by creating one great team that works synergistically, we can identify new national growth and international level of our country."

On Saturday, March 1, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Chiostri di San Barnaba via San Barnaba 48, Camera Showroom Milano, together with Cbi (Camera Buyer Italia) and with the support of Ice Agenzia, will present CSM Meets Sustainability. This event is dedicated to giving visibility to sustainable brands represented by the 37 showrooms participating in the association. During the event, teacher and director Ylenia Busolli will screen a short movie on the environmental challenges of fashion.

“CSM needs to keep the spotlight on the importance of fully ethical fashion and sustainability because the planet can no longer wait and climate change is a threat all over the world; without a healthy planet, all productive activities could stop. Our association represents the best multi-brand showrooms in Milan that have always focused on the production quality of 'Made In Italy'. The CSM's ethical message is for a new education to buy less but better. We don't need goods from fast fashion and the mass market; we must learn to say no. Because change can already start from the choices we make for our wardrobe."

Also on the March 1 event, there will be a new edition of the CSM Culture Club, the CSM editorial retrospective, dedicated this time to Neomoda, the first exhibition event on avant-garde womenswear, dating back to 1986 and conceived by Laura Fraboschi (one of the greatest PR in the 80s and 90s in Milan), Roberta Valentini (founder of the Penelope concept store in Brescia) and designer, cool hunter and talent scout Irma Bignami.

“We must remember how our country has a unique exhibition system in the world; an excellence that the whole world envies," concluded Mauro Galligari, CSM communications director. "Our trade fair system developed especially after the war and some trade fairs born in that period are still present today, for example, the Pitti halls, enjoying excellent health. Our fairs specifically represent the entire textile-clothing supply chain, with halls dedicated to yarns, fabrics, textile machinery, and clothing."

ARTISANAL EVOLUTION
February 25 - March 21, 2025
In participating showrooms

CSM MEETS SUSTAINABILITY
CSM CULTURE CLUB
March 1, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Chiostri di San Barnaba
via San Barnaba 48 - 20122

Photo: the founding members of CSM, from top left, Francesco Casile, Elisa Gaito, Daniele Ghiselli, Mauro Galligari, Gigliola Maule, and Francesco Lubrano.