The first Vicenza edition of the FIMAST B2B event focused on innovations in hosiery, 3D-knitted footwear, seamless, and technical and sportswear sectors concluded last Friday. Sustainability and technological advancement were the main topics at a rich program of events with partners, regional stakeholders, and industry associations, including CSC, ADICI, Assosport, Venicepromex, Confindustria Veneto Est, and WRÅD Living.

The event featured a qualified audience of operators, designers, product managers, and R&D managers from Northern Italy’s best companies, thanks in part to a synergy with A&T, which was held simultaneously.

This year’s FIMAST marks a fresh start, creating a bridge between some of the most innovative and iconic sectors of Made in Italy. Organised by Italian Exhibition Group (IEG), the event brought together key Italian players and a qualified audience of industry professionals for the first time at the Vicenza fairgrounds from 6-8 November.

A connection platform for different industries

With the new location, IEG is pushing the event towards a transformation: the new FIMAST aims to become a shared platform, connecting Italy’s key textile industry districts, like those in Brescia and Mantua, with Veneto’s excellence in sportswear, footwear, and textile machinery.

Districts such as the Castel Goffredo hosiery area, with its almost century-long history, embody a historic heritage of expertise and are preparing to tackle new challenges. FIMAST aims to accelerate development and foster shared growth opportunities across these industries, creating new synergies to drive them forward.

In Northeastern Italy, ‘sports system’ companies make up 23% of the national total, growing at a rate of 19% annually over the past three years, by investing and generating value. Additionally, the upcoming Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are expected to create 2.4 billion euros in value for the Northeastern regions (source: Banca IFIS).

A noteworthy feature of the 2024 edition was the collaboration with A&T Nordest, which, held simultaneously at the Vicenza fairgrounds, spotlighted the latest manufacturing technologies, from artificial intelligence and smart manufacturing to testing and intralogistics.

Innovation and sustainability for district development

FIMAST showcased product innovations and production processes from leading figures in the manufacturing districts for yarns, machinery, technologies, and finished products: from synthetic and natural yarns for hosiery and stockings to leading machinery manufacturers for the hosiery and footwear industries, as well as complementary technologies for product design, finishing, and accessories.

The event also provided a space for professional dialogue and updates for industry operators through an Arena where conferences, workshops, and seminars attracted a large professional audience. Product managers, designers, and R&D managers were particularly interested in new production technologies, materials, processes, and products oriented towards sustainability.

Featured speakers included major Italian sportswear and footwear brands, such as Ferragamo and Dainese, alongside regional stakeholders and industry associations like CSC (Centro Servizi Impresa) and ADICI (Association of the Hosiery and Underwear District), Assosport, Venicepromex, Confindustria Veneto Est (Footwear Group), and WRÅD Living.

At the inaugural event, Marco Carniello, Chief Business Officer of IEG, spoke on behalf of the Group: “Today, FIMAST launches as part of a strategic synergy with A&T, aligning technology and innovation for manufacturing, and by extension, the sport system sector, which in Northeastern Italy hosts 23% of Italian companies.”

“At the same time, we are opening new markets and fostering connections between the traditional production districts in Brescia and Mantua and Veneto’s excellence in

footwear and sports. Events like this accelerate innovation and skill development within regional clusters.”

Highlights from day one

The FIMAST Arena launched its program of events, supported by key industry associations like CSC (Centro Servizi Impresa), ADICI (Associazione Distretto Calza e Intimo), and Assosport, which represents Italy's sportswear producers.

Mauro Morandi, CSC director, introduced the hosiery district of Castel Goffredo. “With 25 municipalities, 20,000 employees, and revenues of €1.5 billion, this sector is a pillar of Italian excellence,” he explained. “Founded in 1925 with the first hosiery factory, it will celebrate its centennial next year, marking a time of both challenge and opportunity.”

This was followed by an in-depth discussion on functional, sustainable design titled ‘The Shoe That Heals and Protects’, moderated by Matteo Ward, co-founder of WRÅD and Fashion Revolution Italy. “The fashion and textile industries must reflect on their future, drawing inspiration from companies with relevance, function, and utility in their DNA,” Ward explained.

“We’re at FIMAST because a dialogue between these companies and those in textile machinery design can spark new ideas for solutions aligned with these values.”

Francesca Coldebella, Product Manager (Footwear and Gloves) for Dainese and TCX, and Umberto Bortoletto, Product Development Manager for Men’s and Women’s Sneakers at Salvatore Ferragamo, shared successful examples. Ferragamo’s concept of ‘the shoe that heals’, from his biography, describes a shoe innovatively designed to distribute body weight for optimal support. Meanwhile, Dainese showcased lifesaving designs for extreme sports, emphasising durability, performance, and resilience.

FIMAST also provided an overview of data and trends in the Italian sports system sector, which generates €102 billion in annual revenue in Italy, contributing 3.4% to the national GDP. Northeastern regions host 23% of the sector’s companies, with annual revenue growth of 19% over the past three years, outpacing the national average.

The upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina are expected to boost the industry further, with an estimated €5.3 billion in economic impact, €2.4 billion of which will be in the Northeast. This event will stimulate the regional economy, especially in Veneto and Trentino regions, with tourism-related spending and €1.4 billion in infrastructure investment in Veneto alone, leading to long-term benefits. This analysis was presented by Carmelo Carbotti, Head of Strategic Marketing & Research at Banca IFIS, under the title ‘Sport System: The Role of the Northeast in Value Creation.’

Day two highlights

The first shoe designed by AI, sneakers crafted from agricultural waste like corn and grape skins, new materials for sportswear, sustainable supply chains for the textile industry, cutting-edge machinery, and technological innovations, were all day two highlights.

The first AI-designed shoe is an elegant ballet flat, crafted by hand following a design generated by a generative AI model that analysed market trends and selected styles best suited for the luxury market. This initiative comes from Peron Shoes, a renowned shoemaking company in the Italian Riviera del Brenta region.

With 50 years of experience, Peron Shoes embodies the blend of Italian craftsmanship and modern technology, creating shoes from recycled, fully recyclable materials. The project was presented by company owner Alberto Masenadore, one of today's featured speakers at the FIMAST Arena, along with representatives from Venicepromex and Confindustria Veneto Est (Footwear Group).

Also showcased were eco-friendly sneakers from the ID.EIGHT project, created using recycled rubber and bio-based byproducts from agricultural activities, including corn, apples, mycelium, and grapes - brought to life by creative designer Dong Seon Lee and brand co-founder Giuliana Borzillo. Joining the discussion with manager Borzillo was  Matteo Ward, founder of WRÅD and Fashion Revolution Italy, as well as Dutch designer Borre Akkersdijk, Chief Creative Officer and Board Member of Modint. Akkersdijk’s startup Byborre aims to redefine sustainable textile creation through a digital 3D design tool for high-performance fabrics that improves production transparency and reduces waste.

Assosport, the national association of sports equipment producers, also shared case studies of pioneering companies in tubular knitting and sustainable footwear, with recyclable uppers and soles. ACBC, AC Studio, and SIDI Sport took the stage. Vartes, Sportful, MVC, Confsport Energia Pura, and CAPITEX emphasized the role of seamless technology in enhancing comfort for activities like yoga and pilates, as well as fire-resistant, safe, and durable clothing for motorsports.

Highlights from exhibitors

Innovative yarns, materials, and a focus on sustainable textile supply chains took centre stage at FIMAST, spotlighting two key districts in the Italian textile industry: the Brescia mechanotextile sector, specialising in machinery, components, and accessories, and the hosiery and yarn production of Mantua. Among the highlights was a high-grip, silicone-free film from Fait Plast, which is hypoallergenic, durable, invisible, and suitable for applications in orthopedics, hosiery, intimate apparel, and sportswear.

Yarn Solutions presented bulky, highly elastic nylon yarns with excellent performance for logo creation and reinforcement points. Meanwhile, the centuries-old Italian tradition of silk processing, supported by companies like Tecnoseta, showcases how new technologies and regional expertise are propelling the industry toward a sustainable future, from silkworm farming to fabric production.

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