The 66th edition of Pitti Bimbo, set for January 18-20 at the Fortezza da Basso in Florence, boasts a record number of exhibitors.
There are 448 companies representing 539 brands - 212 from abroad - that will present their fall-winter 2008/2009 collections.
Pitti Immagine assistant general director Agostino Poletto said: ''It is a record number that proves that this is the only international show able to represent the totality of the kids' wear market''.
There are five sections at the fashion fair all posed to represent the latest in young styles. New View and Ecoethic both saw a significant jump.
New View brings together (primarily foreign) companies specialized in research collections. Ecoethic, which concentrates on sustainable development and ethics, has doubled its number of exhibitors.
Longstanding Pitti Bimbo, Sport Generation and Superstreet (denim and streetwear), continue to expand and increase their number of exhibitors as well.
According to data from SMI-ATI, Italy is looking at almost 2.7 billion euro (+4.7%) in sales for 2007 for the childrens' wear market. This represents a quicker increase than the textile-fashion sector (+3.3%).
The data was released in an SMI economic report on the eve of the 66th edition of Pitti Bimbo.
The report highlighted the increase in sales during 2007, the demand on the domestic market and exports, which enjoyed an 8% increase last year.
