CFDA and Milano Unica set to connect American designers with Italian craftmanship

The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) has teamed up with textile trade fair Milano Unica for The Fabric Program, which offers selected designers the chance to work with Italian mills to create their own unique textile. The aim of the collaboration is to introduce American designers to the techniques and methods which are used by Italian mills to produce luxurious fabrics.

CFDA has already announced the names of two industry professionals who will participate in The Fabric Program: womenswear designer Ryan Roche and milliner Gigi Burris. The name of the participating menswear designer has yet to be announced. The designers will work with Roche and Burris to create textiles which will then be used for their SS 17 collection, which they will present with a stand on Milano Unica as well as during New York Fashion Week.

”A core tenet of the CFDA is to provide our designer members with unique opportunities to strengthen and evolve their businesses,” said CFDA CEO and President Steven Kolb. “Our partnership with Milano Unica is a perfect example of this as it gives emerging American designers the chance to create custom fabrics with Italy's best production houses.”

Milano Unica President Ercole Botto Poala added he was very proud of this new partnership and was delighted with the chance to support American designers. “To show them the Italian way of craftsmanship is a unique opportunity for us, and having them learn about our heritage will be knowledge they can take with them into the future.”

Image credit: Milano Unica Facebook