Pitti Immagine CEO Raffaello Napoleone on fashion fairs post-COVID
Raffaello Napoleone, 66, has been CEO of Pitti Immagine since 1989, overseeing fashion trade fairs at Florence's Fortezza da Basso. The events attract over 4,600 exhibitors and 120,000 visitors annually (45% international). Pitti Immagine organizes Pitti Uomo and Pitti Bambino, the world's leading fairs for menswear and childrenswear. Due to COVID-19, for the first time ever, the June fairs were postponed to September. Napoleone notes the Italian textile and apparel sector generates €98 billion in revenue, exports €68 billion, and employs 500,000 direct workers (over 1 million including indirect). He believes the crisis will be overcome in 12-18 months but acknowledges lasting changes to the fair system and lifestyle. The podcast also promotes Artribune's newsletters: Incanti (art market), Render (urban regeneration), and PAX (cultural tourism).
Key facts
- Raffaello Napoleone has been CEO of Pitti Immagine since 1989.
- Pitti Immagine fairs at Fortezza da Basso host over 4,600 exhibitors and 120,000 visitors yearly.
- 45% of visitors come from abroad.
- Pitti Uomo and Pitti Bambino are the world's leading fairs in their segments.
- June 2020 fairs were postponed to September due to COVID-19.
- Italian textile and apparel sector has €98 billion revenue, €68 billion exports.
- The sector employs 500,000 direct workers (over 1 million indirect).
- Napoleone expects recovery in 12-18 months but acknowledges permanent changes.
Entities
Artists
- Raffaello Napoleone
Institutions
- Pitti Immagine
- Artribune
- Fortezza da Basso
- Pitti Uomo
- Pitti Bambino
Locations
- Florence
- Italy