"Made in Italy" at a Crossroads: Between Industrial Resilience and Global Turbulence
The Italian textile industry, an undisputed pillar of European luxury, is navigating a period of turbulence. According to the latest “Lo Stato della Moda” report presented by Confindustria Moda, the sector posted mixed results for fiscal year 2025. With total revenue of 58.39 billion euros, the industry recorded a slight decline of 2.4% compared to the previous year. While these figures point to a slowdown, they above all reveal a profound transformation of the global market, where Italy’s flagship industry must redouble its agility to maintain its dominance.
Strong Exports Despite Slowing Asian and American Markets
The driving force behind Italian fashion remains its international reach, with exports accounting for 63.3% of total revenue. However, the start of the year has proven challenging in certain strategic markets outside the European Union. Luca Sburlati, president of Confindustria Moda, is sounding the alarm over significant declines: Japan and the United States are down 10%, while South Korea has seen a sharp drop of 25%. Despite these conditions, the trade balance remains well in surplus, exceeding 10.4 billion euros, confirming that textiles, along with leather, remain major contributors to Italy’s national wealth.
Saving the Industry: The “Bello e Ben Fatto” Challenge
Beyond the numbers, it is the very integrity of the production ecosystem that concerns industry stakeholders. With 37,331 companies and more than 372,000 employees, Italy alone accounts for 30% of the European Union’s textile production. The apparel segment remains the economic lifeblood of the system, generating nearly 69% of total revenue. For Luca Sburlati, the challenge now is to protect every link in this unique value chain. Faced with a China that is banking on its own brands and a United States marked by trade tensions, the Italian model must remain true to its DNA—“beautiful and well-made”—while adapting to new geopolitical demands.
Artificial Intelligence and Sustainability: The New Drivers of Growth
To bounce back, the industry is relying on two strategic pillars: technological innovation and the ecological transition. The official inclusion of fashion as a strategic asset within the Italian Institute for Artificial Intelligence marks a historic turning point. This integration of AI—seen as a tool for competitiveness—is accompanied by a greater commitment to sustainability, now regarded as a means of enhancing the value of the industry’s heritage. Finally, the future appears to be taking shape through a new generation of talent: enrollment in technical institutes is on the rise, a sign that the fashion industry’s premier professions are regaining appeal among Italian youth, who are ready to take on the challenges of tomorrow.