Italy’s fine leather features in Seoul

Fine leather making country Italy is again bringing its talented manufacturers to Korea, Oct 18 to 20.

The Mipel Italian Leather Goods Showroom, an international event dedicated to leather goods and fashion accessories, will feature 17 companies from the Italian Leather Goods Association (AIMPES) at the Park Hyatt Seoul in southern Seoul, the Italian Trade Agency said.

Participants are expected to show 2018 spring/summer collections at the event, organized to promote and introduce Italian leather manufacturers and their products.

During the event, Mattori Studio, a trend forecasting consultancy, will host a seminar covering trend exchange between Korea and Italy and suggesting its future direction.

According to the trade agency, Korea’s imports of Italian leather products increased by 3.6 percent last year from a year earlier to 290 million euros, ranking eighth among countries importing Italian leather goods.

The opening ceremony is slated for Oct. 18. AIMPES President Riccardo Braccialini, Italian Ambassador to Korea Marco della Seta and Italian Trade Agency chief Paola Bellusci will attend.

In March, manufactures, including Arcadia, Carl Laich and Maxima, came to Seoul for the Mipel TheBagShow, which was also organized by the Italian Trade Agency.