The new collaboration with IFTA (International Fashion Talent Association) led to the creation of Evening Bridal: the new exhibition space of Sì Sposaitalia Collezioni dedicated to buyers, which explores and presents new trends for the evening dress, declined in all its possible uses.

For the occasion, we interviewed Michela Zio, Executive Vice President of IFTA. 

A new collaboration with Sì SposaItalia Collezioni: what is IFTA and why did this collaboration come about?

IFTA (International Fashion Talent Association) is an association based in Salerno, chaired by Roberto Jannelli, which operates mainly in southern Italy, organising fashion and food shows. The collaboration with Sì Sposaitalia Collezioni was conceived due to the nature of the trade show, which is based on a careful and accurate search for companies dedicated to the creation of evening and cocktail dresses, including those with a declared vocation for craftsmanship.

A collaboration that led to the birth of a new area dedicated to the Evening Dress: what is the real meaning of Evening Dress and what new ideas can we find in this area?

EVENING DRESS is the first space in Italy exclusively dedicated to women's and men's clothing, accessories and jewellery for evening events. From 5 to 8 April 2024, it will be hosted by Sì Sposaitalia Collezioni.

What distinguishes Italian sartorial excellence worldwide?

The idea of presenting evening dresses to international buyers stems from an increasingly significant need manifested by retail players, precisely because they express the essence of made in Italy applied to true fashion. Such dresses are actually designed in the small ateliers selected by IFTA, mostly in cities of the South, thanks to a careful and inexhaustible scouting work.

How has the evening dress evolved in recent years? What trends can be identified for the coming year?

In the first five editions of the Ifta Evening Show we realised that the different types of exhibition proposal do not change depending on the occasion, but on the place of use. One thing is the dress created for a theatre premiere, while another is the evening outfit, with a décontracté style, to be worn at a boat or poolside party, or for a dinner on the beach. In relation to this last example, it is no coincidence that in 2022 we proposed a selection of collections, called Chiringuito Wear, that was intended for a bord de mer fashion show in Vietri sul Mare. Quite a different matter, however, is the outfit created for an evening ceremony, which is more elegant and precious both in its workmanship and materials. Our research has been channelled precisely in this direction, as it is aimed at enriching the special section of Sì Sposaitalia Collezioni with dresses, accessories and jewellery to be proposed to international buyers thanks to evening and bridal showcases.