L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2024 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano 2 I t's not just an event for i n d u s t r y i n s i d e r s o r those looking to furnish their homes: Milan is t h e c a p i t a l o f n e w trends, technological innova- tions, and also of sustainable materials and solutions. The Salone del Mobile.Milano is presented as a cultural phe- nomenon, a commercial hub, and a celebration of creativity and innovation. For these reasons, Milan's most important week, second only to Fashion Week, is effec- tively likened to "the New Year of Made in Italy." From this date onward, the sector takes stock; business volumes are mea- sured, market projections are made, expansions evaluated, and investments, partnerships, and corporate enlargements are considered. Salone del Mobile.Milano: the New Year of Made in Italy From the Editor Last year, there were more than 300,000 visitors from 181 countries for a sector that accounts for 15% of Italian manufac- turing. The indirect economic impact alone benefited from €260.8 million, according to Confcommercio estimates, with a 13.7% increase over 2023, largely thanks to international visi- tors. This impact primarily involves a plethora of professionals and companies that work directly in the production of furni- ture and accessories, interior design, bathroom furnishings, kitchens, and living rooms; it also includes wellness, the host- ing and hotel industry, gardens, equipment, and outdoor spaces. It extends to all activities related to commercial sales, exports, branding, showrooms, franchising, and single-brand chains, as well as catering, which alone brought in €81.8 mil- lion (+13.7%), and the hospitality industry, which earned €115.6 million (+14.2%). These figures reflect the significant presence in the city (and surrounding area) of hundreds of thousands of people. Not to forget—we are in Milan, in the end—shopping alone accounted for €63.4 million (+12.7%). Beyond the fully booked hotels in the city, where prices dur- ing the Salone soared to triple digits (respectively: +260% in a 2-star, +320% in a 3-star, +270% in a 4-star, and +290% in a 5-star), the private rental market also skyrocketed. During the week of the Salone and the Fuorisalone—an equally unmiss- able satellite event dedicated to art and events—the demand for accommodations increased sharply. An apartment in the very central Brera district could cost almost €6,000. Even in the towns of the urban belt, such as Sesto San Giovanni, Rho, and San Donato—all accessible by metro—rents soared: a rent in Sesto San Giovanni could climb from the usual €560 to €1,750, marking an increase of 212%. In Rho, rents rose from €651 to €2,310 (up 255%), and in San Donato from €616 to €2,890 (up 207%). Monza, just about thirty kilometers from Milan and famous for its Formula 1 circuit, was as sought-after as the city center itself. During Milan Design Week, it's not only that every venue is fully booked and prices are through the roof, but the entire city turns into a celebration, even in its suburbs and abandoned areas. These places suddenly gain significance in terms of orig- inality and beauty, with pop-up benches, shops, and bars appearing everywhere. They open and close within a week for the more than 1,326 events organized not only in the "coolest" districts, from Brera to Tortona, from Porta Romana to China- town, but also in lesser-known or far-flung areas away from the chic-shopping streets, such as Varedo, which saw a 10.5% increase in activities compared to last year. When you think of Milan, fashion inevitably comes to mind. The week features numerous collaborations between major fashion houses and designers or artists who set up shop in local boutiques. Big brands, as well as the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, get involved because the Salone acts as a global showcase. It previews not just the future of home living but also the lifestyles of those who live in these spaces. This fundamentally means "networking," bringing together all available potentials and enhancing them jointly, generating mutual benefits, and substantiating that Sistema Italia which becomes truly competitive only by uniting forces. Not coincidentally, just a few days ago, the government announced the first National Day of Made in Italy, to be cele- brated every April 15th, the anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci's birth. This initiative will involve Italy's leading creatives to jointly offer the best showcase for sectors such as industry, fashion, textiles, furniture, design, food, high-end jewelry, nautical, hospitality and tourism, automotive, technology, and all the symbolic supply chains of Made in Italy. Both master artisans and ICE agencies in over 50 locations worldwide will be involved: the horizon is wide open to global markets, but the spotlight is all on the history and quality of Made in Italy products. Simone Schiavinato, Editor Simone Schiavinato NEWS & FEATURES TOP STORIES PEOPLE EVENTS Member of FUSIE (Federazione Unitaria Stampa Italianaall'Estero), COGITO L'Italo-Americano Please send correspondence to P.O. BOX 6528, ALTADENA, CA 91003 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano Newspaper (a 501(c)(3) non- profit organization), www.italoamericano.org, is the largest and longest-running Italian news- paper in America, not to mention the cultural and news resource for all things Italian in the US. A bilingual newspaper which represents an historical landmark for the Italian American Communities in the West Coast and throughout the US. L'Italo-Americano benefits from subsidies by the Italian Government, Memberships and Donations intended to support and not interrupt a mission that began in 1908 to preserve and promote the Italian language and culture in the USA Periodicals postage paid at Monrovia, California 91016, and additional mailing offices. PUBLISHER Robert Barbera Grande Ufficiale EDITOR IN CHIEF Simone Schiavinato ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER Patrick Abbate EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Barbara Minafra COPY EDITOR Francesca Bezzone LOS ANGELES CONTRIBUTOR Silvia Nittoli SAN FRANCISCO CONTRIBUTOR Serena Perfetto SEATTLE CONTRIBUTOR Rita Cipalla CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mariella Radaelli, Matt Walker, Francesca Bezzone, Luca Ferrari, Stefano Carnevali, Paula Reynolds, Teresa Di Fresco Nicoletta Curradi, Generoso D'Agnese, Jessica S. Levy, Fabrizio Del Bimbo, Maria Gloria, Chuck Pecoraro, Anthony Di Renzo Serena Perfetto, Kenneth Scambray, Chiara D'Alessio, Luca Signorini, Giulia Franceschini © 2020 L'Italo-Americano Membership: One year $59 - Single copy $2.25 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to L'Italo Americano PO Box 6528 Altadena, CA 91003 P.O.BOX 6528, ALTADENA, CA 91003 P.O.BOX 6528, ALTADENA, CA 91003 Selling Homes Throughout The Bay Area Adele Della Santina "The Right Realtor makes all the di昀erence." 650.400.4747 Adele.DellaSantina@compass.com www.AdeleDS.com DRE# 00911740 Expert in preparation, promotion, and negotiation!

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