When European Textiles Resist the Luxury Slowdown
By Bettina Bush Mignanego03 février 2026
An increase in European exhibitors, a tentative market recovery, debates on China and ready-to-wear: Milano Unica 2026, bringing together the best manufacturers of high-end fabrics and accessories, revealed a luxury sector forced to rethink its priorities between financial performance, product value, and cultural responsibility.
25%
Increase in the number of European exhibitors at Milano Unica 2026
730
Number of companies attending the show in 2026
13.5%
Increase in the participation of American buyers at Milano Unica 2026
The sector as a whole has performed well, with indicators that can be interpreted as the beginning of a favorable trend for 2026
Simone Canclini, President of Milano Unica (Milano Unica)
This biannual event, marked this year by dynamism and change, demonstrated its ability to analyze trends in fashion and luxury goods, which are slowing down in a complex international period.
Looking at the numbers from the show, there was a notable increase in the number of European exhibitors, up 25% from the 2025 edition, with 730 companies in attendance, as well as an increase in international buyer participation, including French (+8.5%), American (+13.5%), Korea (+10%), Canada (+6.6%), and Germany (+8%).
These are important statistics when compared to the more worrying economic data for the sector. The 2025 results for Italian textiles, estimated by the Confindustria Moda research department based on data from Istat (the public research body that produces the country's official statistics) for the first nine months of the year, still reveal a difficult situation, even though there has been a significant slowdown in the negative trend in sales and exports compared to 2024, with only -1.5% compared to -8.8%; for exports, -1.5% compared to -10.7%.
Newsletters
Cet article vous plaît ?
Inscrivez-vous à nos newsletters pour recevoir les dernières publications et analyses selon nos 4 thématiques:
What is needed to bridge such a significant gap between consumers is to create something that the middle class can afford
Luca Solca, Managing Director of Luxury Goods at Sandford C. Bernstein Switzerland
The president of Milano Unica, Canclini, says he is satisfied with the results of this edition: “They are far from obvious, given the evolution of the textile and clothing sector at national and international level over the last two years, particularly in the luxury segment. Italian exhibitors and, to an increasingly significant extent, European exhibitors find our event an indispensable support for the international promotion of their products.”
The best performances in the textile industry were recorded recently, in the third quarter of 2025, which suggests a certain optimism: “The sector as a whole has performed well, with indicators that can be interpreted as the beginning of a favorable trend for 2026,” he added. We must learn to take advantage of this positive trend and transform it into a favorable dynamic for the future, to better promote our products to end customers. Our industry is a creator of beauty, art, culture, and tradition."
A Profound Identity Crisis
Pour continuer à lire cet article, abonnez-vous maintenant
CHF 10.- par mois / CHF 99.- par année
- Accès illimité à tous les contenus payants
- Des analyses approfondies sur l'industrie du luxe que vous ne trouverez nulle part ailleurs.
- Des études et rapports sur les principaux défis à venir ainsi que leur décryptage.
- Des articles académiques élaborés par des professeurs et des doctorants membres du Swiss Center for Luxury Research, ainsi qu’un certain nombre d’universités à l’étranger.
- Des événements réservés aux membres pour enrichir vos connaissances et votre réseau.
Partager l'article
Continuez votre lecture
From Workshop To Tech: The Revolution Of ‘Made in Portugal’ Footwear
Thanks to a targeted innovation and sustainability strategy, the Portuguese footwear industry is establishing itself as one of the most dynamic hubs in Europe. From leather to bio-based rubber, Portugal is paving the way for responsible and competitive production.
Fashion And Textiles: 169 Million Tons Produced By 2030 If Nothing Changes
As COP 30 began on Monday in Belém, Brazil, the climate emergency also calls for rapid action to address the environmental impact of the textile industry. To this end, every year, the Textile Exchange Conference brings together all the players in the sector. This year, in Lisbon, Portugal, the theme was ‘Shifting Landscapes’.
Newsletters
Cet article vous plaît ?
Inscrivez-vous à nos newsletters pour recevoir les dernières publications et analyses selon nos 4 thématiques: