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International buyers in attendance and willing to do business helped make a success of the of Mifur, the new Fur and Leather Exhibition held in Milan. The fair's debut event took place Mar. 13-17 and was organized by Fiera Milano in collaboration with the Italian Fur Association. Plans for 1997 are underway.
About 160 exhibitors filled 15,000 sq. meters of space, and the fair's computerized registration logged 21,944 professional exhibitors, 19,956 of whom were buyers. They represented 5,011 firms interested in purchasing not only furs and leather items, but also skins, patterns, linings, accessories and machinery.
International buyers represented a small percentage of the total visitors -- 24.34 -- but a large portion of orders placed. Fiera Milano reported, "Italian buyers, who have to cope with the difficult political and economic situation their country is currently going through, made conservative purchases and sample orders."
Foreign visitors represented 1,957 firms from 64 countries, including: 255 companies from South Korea, 214 from Greece (Greek buyers often purchased goods to resell in Russia), 172 from Germany, 146 from Spain, 131 from Switzerland, 127 from France, 107 from the USA, 98 from Japan, 80 from Great Britain, 80 from Austria, 66 from Hong Kong, 60 from Russia and the CIS, 43 from Belgium, 26 from Romania, 22 from Denmark, 19 from Portugal, 14 from Czechoslovakia and nine from Poland.
Russian and South Korean buyers purchased garments in traditional styles, while Japanese and U.S. buyers bought more fashion items.
The stands exhibiting skins were visited by a greater number of people than expected, reported Fiera Milano, probably due to rising auction prices and the limited availability of pelts on the international market.
The main events of the fair were two special fashion shows: the Majestic Ultra Show and Mifur in Passerella. The Majestic Ultra Show, organized by three North American fur pelt labels -- American Ultra Mink, Canada Majestic Mink and Northern Supreme Wild Fur -- showcased new styles executed in North American furs. Angelo Danzi Alta Moda, de Carlis, Gianfranco Ferre Fourrures, Genny, Pikenz, Solleciti and Vito Nacci were participating design houses.
Since the Majestic Ultra Show benefitted Anlaids, a charitable organization that helps develop scientific research on AIDS and assists HIV-positive people, several Italian male celebrities donated their time to model in the show's grand finale. Applauded by an audience of more than 1,000 people, including journalists, buyers and officials, the "magnificent seven" took to the catwalks with remarkable ease and nonchalance. They included: manager of the stage and figurehead of the Italian Fur Association publicity campaign, Piero Piazzi; anchor of the Fininvest television networks, Tiberio Timperi; goalkeeper of the Italian national soccer team, Stefano Tacconi; tv journalist Claudio Brachino, popular show business personality Ettore Andenna; Formula One racing driver, Ivan Capelli, and director Giovanni Bedeschi
An exhibitors show, called Mifur in Passerella, was held Mar. 15 with the collaboration of A & B Fodere Speciali, Conceria Milanese, Giovine Donato and MIB, Manifattura Italiana del Brembo. Participants were Albertalli Pellicce, Thes Tziveli by Bodies Fur International, Briante, Mala Mati by CBF Centro Bel Fur, Del Brembo, Jun, Landi, Manetti by Centro Italia Pelliccerie, Maxime, Nadler, Partner, Microfur by Pollastri, Saripel, Sinclair, Tosato and Toschi.
White was prominent, worn with garments which, in terms of style and color, were reminiscent of the 1970s. New and unexpected combinations of black and white were also seen.
Cyber influences, such as special effects on leather, decorations inspired by computer circuits, knee-length padded down jackets in vibrant colors worn over long fur waistcoats, fitted and tailored neoprene jackets with black fox trim.
Conservative chic made a statement with feminine but functional shapes and classic themes that remember the 1960s. Refined style caresses the body without restricting it.
Linear style emerged in perfect proportions and pure, simple shapes emphasized by the complete absence of details. Lines were lengthened and collar-sizes reduced. Crepe was a popular material.
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