June 12, 2024, 09:13
5 min read
PALERMO – You can already feel the air of high fashion in Palermo thanks to the Sicily Fashion Week, the event organized by Confartigianato Imprese Sicilia and which features around twenty Sicilian houte couture companies. A week full of events starting from Wednesday 12 June and which will see the most exciting moment on Sunday 16 June from 5pm with the fashion show scheduled at Villa Tasca.
SFW is an event dedicated to fashion craftsmanship and the development of all related accessories and jewellery, in the presence of buyers, including foreign ones, arriving from Spain, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Austria and Uzbekistan. An opportunity for supply and demand to intersect with the market across the border, which aims to increase the exports of Sicily’s micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.
The data relating to exports, according to the Confartigianato Economic Observatory, indicate that the value of sales of fashion products made in Sicily amounts to 53 million euros in 2023, making a very low contribution to the export of Made in Sicily (0.4%).
Over 50% is exported from the provinces of Catania and Palermo to foreign countries, in particular towards Germany and France. Furthermore, in the last year they have decreased (-9.8%). Overall, there are 1,846 companies operating in the fashion sector on the island and over half of them are artisan. Craftsmanship has greater weight in the sector in the provinces of Syracuse, Ragusa and Catania.
Nineteen companies on the catwalk on Sunday. The day will begin at 5pm, with a space dedicated to interviews with the stylists present, the leaders of the Confartigianato world and Camera Show Room which selected the buyers. Following, the Fashion Show, with the artistic direction of Luca Lo Bosco and Eliana Chiavetta as the evening’s presenter.
The initiative, also included in the calendar of events for the four hundredth anniversary of Santa Rosalia, will start on the 12th in Piazzetta Mariano Stabile in Palermo, at the Art Gallery Space of Confartigianato Imprese Palermo, with the contest “Contemporary Santa Rosalia, vision and contamination of the modern woman” which will see the students of the Academy of Fine Arts of Palermo and the students of Endofap Don Orione as protagonists.
The children will present the artefacts created for fashion and goldsmiths and the winners will then be awarded on 16 June, before the parade, in the presence of local institutions, led by the mayor of Palermo, Roberto Lagalla.
“Passion for beauty, craftsmanship and economic development. These are the words that Confartigianato and the fashion sector have in common – explained the president of Confartigianato Sicilia, Daniele La Porta –. For this reason Confartigianato has decided to invest in this sector, organizing the Fashion week. In this great event we have tried to also involve our associates from other economic sectors in a transversal way, from photographers to videomakers, from make-up artists to hairdressers, without forgetting our food and beverage artisans. An opportunity for growth, an opportunity for all our businesses.”
Mayor Roberto Lagalla also attended the press conference in the premises of the regional federation of Confartigianato. “Fashion is a highly sought-after product and Sicily has historically had districts dedicated to fashion and clothing – said the mayor -. The Sicily fashion week promotes the development of this sector and places Sicily in a national and supranational context, the primary objective of Confartigianato which organized the event, bringing together production, supply and market. It is also worth underlining the importance of the contest with the students of the Academy of Fine Arts and Endofap, included in the program of the four hundredth anniversary of the Santa Rosalia celebration and which will take place in a place, that of Piazzetta Mariano Stabile, its own object together with Confartigianato, of an urban regeneration and redevelopment project”.
In addition to the Municipality of Palermo, also the municipal administrations of Monreale and Piana degli Albanesi, two territories on the outskirts of the Sicilian capital were involved in the event. In the evocative location of the Guglielmo II complex in Monreale, the B2Bs of companies and buyers are hosted thanks to the mayor Alberto Arcidiacono. While, thanks to the mayor of Piana degli Albanesi, Rosario Petta, on Sunday 16 June at Villa Tasca, some precious historical arbëreshe dresses will be exhibited.
Sixteen models and four models on Sunday 16 June they will wear houte couture creations, accessories and jewelery from 19 Sicilian companies. Here are the brands on the catwalk: Flavia Pinello, Fancs V, Barocco oro, GB Orafi, Bisso, Tinarena, Giusi Munafò Atelier, Officina 73, Euphòria, Kostumari, Alice Salmeri, Aqva & Co, Danié, Studio Stilistico di Lucia Caccamo, Syrtaria l the art of sewing, Kea Atelier, Reytel, Denario, Vali Boutique.
SWF is organized by Confartigianato Imprese Sicilia. Main sponsor: Confartigianato Imprese Moda, Anaepa Sicilia and Ancos. Sponsors: Duca di Salaparuta, Essential, Alfaparf, Sprint Sicilia. Sponsorships: Ars, Sicilian Region, Ice, Municipality of Palermo, Municipality of Monreale, Municipality of Piana degli Albanesi, Italian Film Festival, Accademia dei nobili, Adi, Camera show Room, Llb team, Mythos, Endofap, Academy of Fine Arts.
The SFW was organized with important patronages. “From Ice, the institute for foreign trade which organized training with the participating companies, thus preparing them for the right relationships with buyers, to Camera show Room which selected the buyers – he said Flavia Pinello, regional president of the fashion category of Confartigianato Sicilia – and the Italian Film Festival which during the gala scheduled for 6 July at the Greek theater in Tindari, an evening dedicated to the silver stars, will host on the catwalk some of the most whimsical and characteristic dresses from the companies of Sicily Fashion Week. On Day 16, the national fashion board of Confartigianato Imprese will also be present and will follow the event closely”.
From an artistic point of view, Luca Lo Bosco clarified the reasons linked to the choice of music and scenography for the evening of the Fashion Show. “We wanted to highlight the Sicilian nature and craftsmanship of the participating companies – explained Luca Lo Bosco -. The creations are the result of a moment of inspiration in craftsmanship and we want all this to emerge on the catwalk.”
Published on
June 12, 2024, 09:13
