Italy’s fashion leaders called on govt. to lift restrictions on industry

Italy’s fashion leaders on Thursday requested the government to relax restrictions imposed in the wake of coronavirus pandemic to allow them to resume some production.

The fashion leaders warned the government that an extended lockdown risked irreparably damaging the sector.

“Fashion is a seasonal industry, and certain dates are not compressible. Not reopening shortly would mean giving up almost a year’s turnover,” said Carlo Capasa, the chairman of Italy’s National Fashion Chamber (CNMI), in an online interview on the website of daily Corriere della Sera.

Current lockdown measures in Italy have been imposed until May 3. The country has the third highest number of confirmed cases after US and Spain.

Italy’s government has not unveiled how and when it will start easing a countrywide ban on business activities.

The fashion and textile plants in the country have closed as they do not fall into the category of essential businesses.

Many brands have reconverted production to make medical devices such as masks and medical overalls to meet rising demand during the emergency.