CNMI supports emerging Italian designers with Fashion Trust Grant
The Italian Fashion Chamber (CNMI) has presented the third edition of the CNMI Fashion Trust
Grant programme. The occasion was an opportunity for the Italian fashion industry's leading authorities to take stock of this support programme for emerging designers, endowed with a financial grant since 2020, which is promoted by Camera Moda Fashion Trust, a non-profit company helping emerging Italian designers.
“If it hadn’t been for this support, 80% of Italian labels by the new generations of designers would have disappeared because of Covid-19. During this period, we tapped our entire network and the solidarity of the members who support us, to allow these young people to sell their inventory and finance their new collections,” said Warly Tomei, co-founder and co-director, with Umberta Gnutti Beretta, of Camera Moda Fashion Trust.
The CNMI grants are aimed at Italian labels producing in Italy, but whose designers aren’t
necessarily Italian, as was the case with Japanese designer Satoshi Kuwata, shortlisted for the
grant’s 2023 edition with his label Setchu. “This year, we received 76 applications. Ten names have been shortlisted for the final round to be held in Milan on May 25, when a jury of 22 experts will pick the three winners. They will each receive a €40,000 grant, as well as mentoring support,” said Tomei.
The Camera Moda Fashion Trust was set up in 2017, and is chaired by the president of CNMI, Carlo Capasa. It features a network of industry experts (lawyers, accountants, marketing specialists, etc.) who volunteer to help fashion designers better manage and structure their business. “We have also created a pool of about 40 ambassadors, high-society women who buy and wear our young designers’ creations, showcasing them at various occasions,” added Tomei.
For the grants’ 2023 edition, the programme is co-chaired by influencer Chiara Ferragni and Elia
Maramotti, brand director of Max&Co., the Max Mara group’s contemporary line and one of the programme’s sponsors. Among other things, the group will give one of the winners the chance to create a capsule collection for Max&Co.
The programme is also supported by Italian luxury outlet store chain Fidenza Village, owned by
The Bicester Collection (part of the Value Retail Group). “This programme is a concrete help for
young designers, and we are delighted to promote it. We will showcase for free the various
finalists’ collections in our pop-up space called The Creative Spot, giving them the opportunity to
gain visibility with consumers in an international context. This enables us to diversify our range
and be more attractive to Gen Z consumers, a rapidly growing segment,” said Myrianne Gaeta,
head of communication for The Bicester Collection.
The programme’s 2022 grants went to Act N°1, Cormio and Vitelli, and the 2021 grants went to Coliac, Act N°1 and Blazè. The 10 finalists this year are Cavia, Federico Cina, Florania, Francesco Murano, Marcello Pipitone, Marco Rambaldi, Niccolò Pasqualetti, Saman Loira, Setchu and Ssheena.
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