 ...due to national transport strike and crisis in Ukraine Ukraine
theMICAM closed with a drop in the number of visitors this year, attributable to the delicate situation in the Russian area and to a nation-wide public transport strike in Italy which made it difficult for people to get to the event. “We can´t believe the unions would organize a national public transport strike right on the day of the fashion accessories exhibition in Milan,...
...considering that the city will be hosting Expo in less than a year,” commented Assocalzaturifici president Cleto Sagripanti.“Recalling the warning issued by Confindustria president Giorgio Squinzi, I wonder if Italy really is a normal country, proud of its work and its achievement of excellence, and above all whether we are really up to the major challenge of Expo 2015. Despite the strongly negative impact of these factors, theMICAM is still a leading international event which attracts dealers from all over the world with its high quality collections and important business opportunities.” 
theMICAM closes with an attendance figure of 33 372, including 17 606 international visitors The number of visitors from Russia and nearby countries was much lower than usual, definitely as a result of the crisis in the Ukraine as well as the devaluation of the rouble; unfavourable exchange rates in other countries are also penalizing trade and causing a slowdown. The situation in the Far East and North America is more positive, and does not show any signs of giving way.  “I have faith in the industry,” continues president Sagripanti, “because our plans for international promotion and the many trade fairs organized by Assocalzaturifici all over the world offer privileged opportunities to meet with dealers on international markets. We are waiting to see what signals Obuv Mir Kozhi will give us regarding the evolution of the delicate situation in the Ukraine and other countries close to Russia.” The event´s organizers are already looking forward to the next edition, scheduled for 31 August through 3 September 2014 with a new format and reorganization of space to make buyer´s visits easier and optimize the time they spend at the trade fair. All the new developments were presented during theMICAM THE ONE, an event held at the Auditorium in the Milano Rho trade fair centre featuring entertainment presented by Daniele Bossari with the participation of world champion swimmer Federica Pellegrini and Marco Tempest, a world-famous illusionist, concluding with a dj set by Boy George. The collections on view at the event revealed meticulous choice of designs and materials. Women´s shoes now have bolder lines, with a rigorous modern look, contrasting geometric lines and sporty and masculine influences. There´s still plenty of gold trim, metallic inserts and animal prints, while the dominant shapes are pointy-toed flats, sneakers and boots. The British mood continues for men, revised and transformed by new combinations of colours and materials.  theMICAM offers a unique opportunity to meet, talk, get to know new trends and discover new business opportunities: a very important happening for everyone in the footwear business. But theMICAM is more than just a trade fair, including numerous other initiatives in the trade fair centre and elsewhere in the city.
The Foot Rocker area was back again, in partnership with „Rolling Stone“ magazíne: as series of live dj sets and musical entertainment featuring Vittoria Hyde, Jack Jaselli, Monaci del Surf and The Cyborgs. New this year in the area was the Foot Rocker Hall of Fame, a museum of rock&roll footwear showcasing the brands most commonly worn by rock stars. The event saw presentation of prizes to the winners of the “Rock Vs. Rap: The Soles Battle” contest, who won 6 months of on-the-job experience with a footwear company for their original interpretation of the relationship between rock footwear and rap footwear fashions. The event continues to maintain its strong links with the city of Milan through theMICAMpoint, a location in the heart of Milan´s fashion district that welcomed thousands of visitors this year with unique surprises. Italian excellence was explored in all its forms, from food to technology and film, showcased in an exhibition on SHOES IN FILM: ITALIAN STYLE about the great Italian shoes that appear on the feet of great actresses in 15 famous films, including “La grande bellezza”, winner of this year´s Oscar for best foreign film. theMICAM, the leading international event for the footwear business, looks forward to seeing you again August 31 through September 3, 2014. theMICAM
(15/03/2014) |
