CLOTHING INDUSTRY - FOCUS ON ASIA

As it can be read in Italian Trade Agency (ICE)’s website, the Italian manufacturing industry is the third largest in the country with almost 45 thousand active companies. In 2021, Italy was second only to China in clothing export. In particular, the high-end sector is extremely appreciated in Europe, United States, Russia and Japan.

Concerning Japan, it is important to underline how Japanese consumers of the clothing industry are really demanding and well used to the Made in Italy products. Despite their attachment to tradition, Japanese consumers also appreciate innovation and new trends.

ICE (Italian Trade Agency), https://www.ice.it/it/mercati/giappone/tokyo

Among the countries that love Italian fashion, there is also Korea. If we consider the export of the Italian luxury apparel, in 2022 Korea ranks seventh worldwide. Not only the fashion industry, but also Italian jewellery is high valued by the Korean consumers. These two sectors together represented more than the 40% of the total Made in Italy export with a growth of the 24% in the two-year period 2021-2022.

Octagona, “Corea del Sud: vola l’export italiano di beni di consumo”, 25/09/23, https://octagona.com/corea-sud-record-export-italiano

Even if in a more limited way than Korea, the big Made in Italy brands are also appreciated in Taiwan, where young consumers are highly influenced by social media in their shopping, only buying clothes following the brand’s notoriety.

Exportiamo, “Taiwan, un mercato che apprezza i brand famosi”, 10/02/17, https://www.exportiamo.it/rubriche/13116/taiwan-un-mercato-che-apprezza-i-brand-famosi/

When speaking about Asia, we cannot elude Singapore, one of the main entrances to East Asian markets for fashion and clothing. As indicated by journalist Mauri in her article, the income from the luxury good industry amounts to 1.4 billion dollars with an estimated growth value of about 6% year-on-year.

Mauri Giulia, “Italia-Singapore, al via il comitato Luxury Retail”, Pambianco news, 30/03/21, https://www.pambianconews.com/2021/03/30/italia-singapore-al-via-il-comitato-luxury-retail-314298/