Emilia-Romagna, situated in northern Italy and one of Europe’s most advanced regions, is renowned for some of the world’s most famous fashion labels. It now introduces 14 fashion brands via the ‘Italian Fashion Towards Dubai’ platform, dedicated to SMEs showcasing their famed craftsmanship in the UAE.

The initiative—promoted by Unioncamere Emilia-Romagna, the regional association of eight Chambers of Commerce, and co-financed by Regione Emilia-Romagna—explores global supply chain opportunities. It aims to present Italian SMEs to operators and potential business partners in the Middle East.

“The Emilia-Romagna region is known for the quality of its manufactured textiles, clothing, leather garments, shoes, bags, accessories, and jewellery. We chose the Emirates as our focus market for the second year of our initiative. We want to bring authentic Italian fashion and exquisite designs to the UAE and beyond. We were due to roll out our activities on-ground in time for Expo 2020, now scheduled for 2021. But we plan to continue by modifying our programme using digital technology, without forgetting the importance of resuming live promotional activities,” says Claudio Pasini, Director of Unioncamere Emilia-Romagna.

“Italian Fashion Towards Dubai is an important initiative aimed at approaching the UAE market, a hub in the Middle East for fashion—one of Emilia-Romagna’s key sectors. Our competitive, qualified supply chain is based on quality, advanced technology, territorial peculiarities, creative ability, the presence of internationally renowned brands, and an academic and training system that promotes high skills. In Italy, the Emilia-Romagna fashion system represents the third manufacturing sector by export value and the fifth by number of employees,” says Vincenzo Colla, Regional Councillor for Economic Development and Green Economy, Work, and Training.

The ‘Italian Fashion Towards Dubai’ is organised with the support and collaboration of the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) and Roncucci&Partners, the technical partner of the project.

“Fashion is a USD100 billion industry in Italy and one of the pillars of the Italian economy, which holds outstanding excellence in foreign trade. We exported about USD67 billion worth of textile and fashion goods in 2019. Of which, USD492 million went to the UAE—a 3.62% increase compared to the previous year,” says Amedeo Scarpa, Italian Trade Commissioner to the UAE.

“The project is an important occasion for the supply chain because it is articulated in precise phases and allows us to make critical mass. The quality of the enterprises, the variety of production, and the capacity to present productions on international markets are important levers in approaching this area,” says Giovanni Roncucci, Chairman of Roncucci&Partners, technical partner of the initiative.

Participating Emilia-Romagna Fashion Brands

• A & A: Founded in 2015, A&A manufactures leather bags and accessories for men and women. Working with fashion designers and professionals to create exclusive products embodying real Italian style. All manufacturing takes place in Italy, ensuring authentic “Made in Italy” quality. Collections feature a sober, elegant, and timeless style using the finest leathers from top Italian tanneries.
• Absolute Joy Jeans: Founded in 1987, Absolute Joy Jeans creates unique denim collections for men. Hand-made details and special treatments give collections a distinctive, exclusive appearance. www.einstein.it
• Artico & Roncarati: Artico was born in 1979, becoming a key player in handmade leather, shearling, cashmere, and fur wear. Renowned for high-quality, highly customisable, and tailored products. In 2010, alongside the traditional Artico collection, the fierce Roncarati line launched, offering luxury handcrafted elegant jackets.
• C.ALLA: A brand of luxury lingerie and beachwear, totally Made in Italy by Italians, designed to dress women. The lingerie is gentle and elegant, for a woman who wants to feel unique. The designer uses only fabrics and embroideries that deliver the pleasure of wearing lingerie.
• Gil Santucci: An Italian brand that celebrates female individuality. Collections are inspired by and designed for women who want to feel and have fun with fashion, enhancing their personality and confidence in their beauty.
• La Venenta – Miamo: The social cooperative La Venenta was created by The Association Comunità Santa Maria della Venenta Onlus. Sharing its values, La Venenta Onlus manages residential structures with dedication and professionalism for families in need. Miamo, a non-profit label founded in 2015, supports women, mothers, and children by teaching textile skills. Recycled materials combine with knitwear for unique handmade pieces.
• Labam: For over 70 years, Labam has curated high-fashion Made in Italy accessories, including necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and hair accessories. High-quality standards enable work with prestigious national and international fashion names, plus exclusive pieces.
• Leonori Gioielli: Founded in Italy in 1962, Leonori Maison creates exclusive jewels with the highest-quality coloured gemstones. Devoted to unmistakable style, every jewel is entirely handcrafted in Italy by expert goldsmith masters.
• Modaf Designs: Founded in 2017, Modaf Designs dedicates itself to alternative, versatile, and original fashion. Renowned for stylistic influences uniting Western and Afro features for unique, harmonious results. Sumptuous embroidery lights up outfits with authentic splendour, enhancing feminine forms through incomparable tailoring and handmade craftsmanship.
• Moditalia2: Born in the early 1990s with consolidated experience in handicraft manufacturing of fashion accessories. All items are completely handmade, with the latest collection focusing on floral corsages and bows.
• Orequo: Luxury silk and cashmere products such as scarves, foulards, and stoles, handmade in Italy using the finest materials for an elegant, refined style. Orequo hands down history and culture; for Fall/Winter 2020, it created a precious wool/silk stole collection dedicated to Dante Alighieri’s Divina Commedia.
• Pinko: Founded in the early 1990s, Pinko is an Italian independent fashion brand in the entry-to-luxury segment. Collections feature a unique, feminine attitude and original flair that defines women’s style. Pinko speaks to women of all ages who embrace their femininity, curiosity, strong personality, and passion for fashion.
• Rosanna Pellegrini: The company MP di Rosanna Pellegrini & C. sas was founded in 1963. Autumn/Winter collections feature knitwear made with high-quality yarns; Spring/Summer emphasises fine fabrics alongside tricot. Production is always crafted with care, 100% Made in Italy.
• Suzy Mix: With 25 years of experience, reliability, and commitment to Made in Italy fast fashion. Newness, freshness, and constant innovation echo the brand’s identity, spanning clothing, accessories, and bijoux.