From May 27 to 29, Milan will host SAMAB – Fashion Technologies Event: the international event to discover the technologies of the future, create valuable connections and strengthen the competitiveness of Italian apparel manufacturing companies in the global arena.
Fashion continues to be a pillar of the Italian economy, with a significant impact on Made in Italy and global exports. According to the sectoral report prepared by the Economic Studies Office of Confindustria Moda, the Italian Textile-Clothing industry, represented by more than 40,000 active companies and more than 380,000 employees[1], closed 2023 with a turnover of €63.7 billion, of which as much as €38.7 billion was generated by exports. Exports also play a key role in 2024, and it is estimated that out of €59.8 billion, as much as 60 percent is generated by exports, totaling €37 billion[2].
This scenario was illustrated today during the SAMAB – Fashion Technologies Event presentation press conference, held at the headquarters of Confindustria Moda – Textile and Fashion Federation. The need for companies to identify new solutions to deal with global dynamics was discussed during the meeting, in addition to an analysis of the industry’s economic environment It is with this goal in mind that SAMAB, the event to be held in Milan May 27–29, 2025, was born. In its first edition, SAMAB aims to offer a comprehensive overview of the most advanced technological solutions for textile processing and apparel manufacturing. The event aims to create synergies among key players in the industry and promote innovation as a strategic lever for future competitiveness.
Organized by SENAF, under the patronage of associations such as ANTIA (National Association of Professional Fashion System Technicians), Confindustria Moda-Textile and Fashion Federation,and IACDE (International Association of Clothing Designers and Executives), and in collaboration with Tecniche Nuove Group and Technofashion magazine,the first edition of SAMAB establishes itself as a strategic event for the entire apparel production chain. A unique opportunity for companies, artisans, and professionals to exchange ideas, create synergies, and discover the latest industry news, leveraging new knowledge, connections, and resources essential for success in the global fashion market. The SAMAB presentation press conference was attended by Gianfranco Di Natale, Director General of Confindustria Moda – Textile and Fashion Federation; Chiara Dussini, President ANTIA; Andrea Piva, Training and School Relations Representative IACDE Italy; Alberto Gregotti, SAMAB Steering Committee Representative;Ivo Nardella, President SENAF – Tecniche Nuove Group; and Emilio Bianchi, General Manager SENAF/SAMAB.
“The Italian textile and apparel sector is facing a phase of deep transformation, characterized by complex challenges but also extraordinary opportunities,” highlights Confindustria Fashion Director General Gianfranco Di Natale. “Falling demand and tensions in global markets are forcing our companies to rethink strategies and production models, focusing increasingly on innovation, sustainability, and digitalization. In this context, SAMAB was created as a strategic event for the industry, offering a unique platform for a discussion on the most advanced technologies applied to apparel production. Our goal is to support companies in strengthening their competitiveness, foster synergies among key players in the supply chain and promote the value of Made in Italy in the world. Now more than ever, investing in innovation and expertise is the key to meeting global challenges and ensuring sustainable growth of the industry“
“As ANTIA, we strongly wanted to be part of SAMAB because we believe the fashion industry needs a place for technical and strategic discussion. The event is not just a showcase but an opportunity for companies and professionals to update, contaminate, and find new directions. Innovation is not just technology; it is a mindset; it is the ability to adapt and anticipate change,“ says Chiara Dussini, President of Antia.
“The role of IACDE Italy, as part of an international network, is to encourage the connection between professionals, companies, and designers to create an ecosystem that can respond in an agile and innovative way to these changes,” says Andrea Piva, Training and School Relations Representative for IACDE Italy “Our club does not just network: it tries to bring a concrete contribution to the development of the supply chain, focusing on the creation of leaders and design innovation. What also sets our club apart is its approach to cross-industry contamination. Fashion is no longer an isolated world but is increasingly intertwined with other sectors, such as technology, automotive, or furniture. Think, for example, of the search for new materials, which not only can be used in fashion, but also in other areas. This kind of contamination generates unprecedented opportunities and pushes the supply chain to evolve more dynamically.“
“We strongly wanted the SAMAB event because we believe that creating a system is the key to making companies more competitive and able to face the challenges of the market,” says Alberto Gregotti, SAMAB Steering Committee Representative. “The event was created precisely to connect companies and professionals with the most advanced technologies, offering them the opportunity to understand and adopt innovation as a strategic lever. Today, more than ever, it is essential to update one’s “toolbox,” making the most of the opportunities offered by technological evolution and incentive regulations, such as Law 4.0. SAMAB is not only a networking opportunity, but a concrete space to rediscover and enhance innovation at every stage of production, from fabric to finished product. In this context, we want to promote three fundamental principles for the future of the industry: Revitalization, Rebalancing, and Research. Only in this way will we be able to build a more competitive and sustainable industry.“
“SAMAB was created as a concrete response to the challenges facing the apparel manufacturing and fashion industry at this stage of profound transformation. In a context in which reshoring and the enhancement of Made in Italy are strategic levers for competitiveness, Italian companies now need more than ever concrete tools to innovate, optimize production processes, and invest in the skills of the future,” says Ivo Nardella, President of Tecniche Nuove Group and SENAF, the event’s organizing company. “SAMAB is not only an event dedicated to fashion technology but an essential reference point for the industry: a place where innovation, manufacturing excellence, and education meet, creating growth opportunities for companies, professionals, and stakeholders. The competitiveness of the industry also depends on the ability to train new specialists and update the skills of those already working in the sector. This is where the future of the supply chain is built.“
Through a large exhibition area and spaces dedicated to in-depth study, SAMAB will highlight the most innovative technologies, from machinery to software for design and production, fostering the advancement and optimization of industrial processes. The event will be attended by leading companies from all product sectors involved in the production chain. There will be, in fact, 60 companies on display at SAMAB; manufacturers and representatives of the latest machinery, equipment, processes, and services for apparel production who will have the opportunity to connect with qualified industry professionals, including production managers, fashion designers, pattern makers, prototype makers, and logistics and distribution managers. Through a program of workshops, conferences, and B2B meetings, participants will have the opportunity to engage with experts, share best practices, and discover new business strategies.
In addition, thanks to a close synergy with trade associations and chambers of commerce, SAMAB is an exclusive platform for internationalization, offering exhibitors the opportunity to meet buyer delegations from all over Europe and non-European markets with a targeted program of B2B meetings and strategic matching. Among the leading countries: Albania, Egypt, Germany, Morocco, Poland, Serbia, Tunisia Tunisia and Turkey.
Thanks to its innovative format and the participation of industry leaders, SAMAB represents a unique opportunity to discover the technologies of the future, create valuable connections and strengthen the competitiveness of Italian apparel manufacturing companies in the global arena.
[1] Chamber of Commerce source 2023
[2] Elaborations on latest available ISTAT data
SAMAB
SAMAB – Fashion Technologies Event is the international event dedicated to technological innovation for the fashion supply chain. Organized by SENAF, in collaboration with Tecniche Nuove Group and the trade publication Techno Fashion, and under the patronage of ANTIA – National Association of Professional Fashion System Technicians, Confindustria Moda – Textile and Fashion Federation, and IACDE – International Association of Clothing Designers and Executives, SAMAB represents a point of reference for companies, artisans and professionals in the sector.
Through a large exhibition area, thematic workshops, B2B meetings and networking moments, SAMAB offers a unique experience to discover the most advanced fabric processing technologies, the latest machinery and digital solutions that are transforming the industry. The event promotes the competitiveness of Italian and European companies, encouraging comparisons with international markets and supporting the industry’s transition to more efficient and sustainable processes.
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