Italy to show leather collection

By Rachel Lee

Italy’s renowned leather producers are coming to Korea, the European country’s eighth-biggest leather importer, on March 21 to 23.

The Mipel TheBagShow, an international event dedicated to leather goods and fashion accessories, will bring 18 companies from the Italian Leather Goods Association (AIMPES) to the Park Hyatt Seoul in southern Seoul, the Italian Trade Agency said. This is the second Seoul show of its kind.

Participants, including Arcadia, Carl Laich and Maxima, will show their fall/winter 2017-18 collections at the event, organized to promote and introduce Italian leather manufacturers and their products around the world.

Korea’s multi-brand retailers including Louis Club and Lotte 5 On the Go will have separate areas dedicated to the Italian collection for two months, offering an opportunity for the producers to become familiar with the Korean market and consumers.

According to the agency, Italy’s leather imports to Korea increased by 3.6 percent last year from a year earlier to 290 million euros, ranking eighth among all countries importing Italian leather goods.

The opening ceremony is slated for March 21. AIMPES President Riccardo Braccialini, Italian Ambassador to Korea Marco della Seta and Italian Trade Agency chief Paola Bellusci will attend.