Within the last annual general meeting of the Italian National Fashion Chamber (CNMI), they announced the re-election of Carlo Capasa as chairman and CEO, of a new management board for the two-year term 2026-2028. Along with it they presented “Il bello della moda”, an observatory designed to measure the value of Italian fashion.
While confirming Capasa in his role, they also elected as directors Francesca Bellettini (Gucci), Ricardo Bellini (Valentino), Roberta Benaglia (MSGM), Lorenzo Bertelli (Prada), Alfonso Dolce (Dolce&Gabbana), Leonardo Ferragamo (Salvatore Ferragamo), Luca Lisandroni (Brunello Cucinelli, Luigi Maramotti (Max Mara Fashion Group), Giuseppe Marsocci (Giorgio Armani), Ramon Ros (Fendi), Renzo Rosso (OTB), Remo Ruffini (Moncler), Carla Sozzani (Magliano) and Ermenegildo Zegna (Ermenegildo Zegna N.V.). Also on the Board is Honorary President Mario Boselli.
After thanking the members for their trust invested in him, Capasa recognised how Italian fashion is being called upon to face major challenges but also to reassert its strategic importance for the country.
“Being aware of this situation led us to start ‘Il bello della moda’ (The beauty of fashion), the first observatory designed to measure the value of our industry. We plan to help communicate Italian fashion in its entirety, backed up by data and analysis, to go beyond narratives that too often focus solely on the critical aspects,” he explained.
“Our aim is to offer a wider vision and a fuller representation of the value that our industry generates for the country every day–not only economic but also in terms of culture, employment, innovation and social concerns,” added Carlo Capasa.
The chairman continued explaining that CNMI has has been defining and consolidating its strategic plan based upon the association’s main pillars–narration of the Italian industry, training for and promotion of new brands, environmental and social sustainability, institutional and international relations and the ongoing development of the Milano Fashion Weeks.
Speaking about “The beauty of fashion” survey, he also introduced the importance to create the first observatory designed to measure the value of the sector and highlight its industrial, occupational, educational, cultural and social dimensions.
Among others, partners of the project will be McKinsey & Company acting as Knowledge Partner, IntelliSurvey and Angelo Rughetti. The Observatory will gradually involve universities, research centers and Italian and international institutions. It will take shape through periodic publications focusing on the various aspects that make up Italian fashion.
They project will develop through a plan based upon the publication of four studies, each one with a specific focus. It will start from the ecosystem of Italian fashion for fall 2026, through an analisys of Made in Italy as a global lifestyle brand in summer 2027. They will continue highlighting the importance of fashion as a cultural force in winter 2027, while will be looking at fashion for the next century focusing on sustainability and innovation for summer 2028.
The initial findings, presented during the event, confirm the strategic role of the Italian fashion industry as a driver of the country’s economic, employment and cultural growth.
The sector accounts for approximately five percent of Italy’s industrial output and is supported by a production network spanning 47 provinces, sustaining more than 500,000 direct jobs and around one million jobs across the entire value chain.
Fashion also continues to be one of Italy’s strongest drivers of international appeal: up to 70% of students enrolled in the country’s leading fashion schools come from abroad, while nearly seven out of ten international visitors cite fashion among the main reasons for choosing Italy as a travel destination.
Among other speakers taking part to the working day there were also the mayor of Milan, Giuseppe Sala, Gemma D’Auria, senior partner, McKinsey & Company, Sven Smit, senior partner emeritus and special advisor, McKinsey & Company, and Paula Wallace, founder & President, Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).
During the event, Renzo Rosso, president, OTB, and Alfonso Dolce, president and CEO, Dolce&Gabbana, gave two interviews on the role of fashion as an engine of the country’s economic, cultural and social growth.
“Measuring the value of fashion means recognizing its strategic role in Italy’s competitiveness. This Observatory has been established to highlight the contribution of a sector that creates jobs, strengthens local communities, engages the entire value chain, and enhances Italy’s economic, cultural, and international appeal,” commented D’Auria,
“Fashion is one of Italy’s greatest resources. It is a globally recognised area of excellence that combines creativity, craftsmanship, culture and innovation. In order to remain competitive, it is essential that we invest in young people, training and new technologies, including artificial intelligence and digitalisation,” said Renzo Rosso.
He also recognized how Al can be an extraordinary tool for increasing business efficiency, freeing people from repetitive tasks and enabling them to devote more time to activities that cannot be replicated by technology.
He also believes it can offer brands new opportunities to engage with customers in a more personalised way by understanding their needs, preferences and expectations, and strengthening brand loyalty. “Only by combining expertise and technology and conveying a brand’s own identity through these new tools we can continue to make ‘Made in Italy’ a global benchmark and driver of economic, cultural and social growth for our country,” he added while also remembering that as every entrepreneur has the responsibility to give back to the local areas and communities because a company’s growth only makes sense if it has a positive impact on people.
For Alfonso Dolce, fashion is one of the most important strategic assets for Italy and carries a responsibility that extends far beyond the product itself. It supports the nation’s economic growth, enhances the value of local communities and regions, and preserves a heritage of craftsmanship and expertise that is recognized worldwide.
“To remain competitive, we must invest in education and skills development, foster dialogue between tradition and innovation, and create the conditions for artisanal know-how to be passed on to future generations,” he said.
“Only in this way Made in Italy will continue to be both a driver of economic growth and an authentic expression of our cultural and social identity. From fashion and beauty to home furnishings, jewelry, and watches, we collaborate with outstanding manufacturing and production partners, helping to sustain the expertise and supply chains that are an essential part of the identity of Made in Italy,” he added.