Italian, French Fashion Federations Renew Memorandum of Understanding

MILAN — As part of their ongoing joint efforts to help the fashion system thrive, Italy’s Camera Nazionale della Moda and France’s Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode on Thursday renewed their memorandum of understanding.

Reiterating the cooperation agreement first signed in 2000 and already renewed once in 2005, the document’s signing by Carlo Capasa, chairman of the Camera della Moda, and Pascal Morand, executive president of French federation, took place during the France-Italy Summit held in Cannes, which for the first time included fashion alongside other industries on its agenda.

The three axes of cooperation include a permanent dialogue and exchange in regard to Milan and Paris Fashion Week schedules, as well as to strategies to support emerging designers and foster exchange programs; the definition of a shared vision on the protection of local know-how and advocacy with European institutions on eco-design principles, intellectual property and fighting counterfeiting, as well as a common sustainability vision, and a collaboration to support education and fuel the attractiveness of fashion professions by defining shared mobility and corporate social responsibility best practices.

“High-quality creative fashion is one of Europe’s most important cultural, industrial and economic assets and, as such, must be protected and supported with determination,” said Capasa. “This agreement marks a further strengthening of the collaboration between Italy and France and confirms our shared commitment to building a common vision for the future of European creative fashion, promoting the talent, savoir-faire, manufacturing excellence and innovation capabilities that define our fashion industries.

“It is essential that this dialogue focuses on key strategic priorities such as sustainability, the protection of intellectual property, the fight against counterfeiting, the preservation of artisanal skills, the transfer of knowledge to younger generations, and support for the next generation of creative talent, who are called upon to carry forward and renew the sector’s legacy,” Capasa said.

“This is an important day for the unity of France and Italy regarding fashion. French and Italian creative houses are the world leaders and represent a large part of the world market in this field. They also ensure a large part in fashion manufacturing in both countries. In the context of increasing international competition, markets evolutions, ecological and technological stakes, it is more important than ever to unite our forces,” Morand echoed, noting the importance of cooperation against intensifying sector regulations.

The signing was held before Sébastien Martin, French minister delegate for industry, and Adolfo Urso, the Italian minister for enterprises and Made in Italy.

“We would like to thank the Italian and French institutions that have supported and accompanied this journey, recognizing the strategic role of fashion as a driver of economic, cultural and industrial growth for our countries. Only through ever-closer cooperation between institutions and industry will it be possible to strengthen the international competitiveness of European fashion, consolidate its global leadership, and create the conditions for the sustainable and long-term development of the entire sector,” Capasa said.

The two fashion governing bodies have a long track record of collaboration. As reported, last month they unveiled a shared ESG framework for fashion supply chains.