From 17 to 23 August 2026, Montreal hosts the second edition of the ‘Italian Fashion Days Around the World’, which aims to promote the excellence and know-how of Made in Italy in the world. The initiative, promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, is implemented with the support of the Embassy of Italy in Ottawa, the Italian Consulate General in Montreal, the Italian Cultural Institute in Montreal and the Italian Trade Agency for the promotion abroad and the internationalisation of Italian companies, as part of the 26ªth edition of the Festival M.A.D. – Mode, Arts et Divertissement.
The exhibition ‘Italia è Moda’ (Italy is Fashion), conceived by the curator Clara Tosi Pamphili as a theatrical scene, presents clothes and accessories following the different moments of everyday life: day, evening and sport. From tuxedos to sportswear, from evening dresses to contemporary creations by young designers, including leather goods, footwear, eyewear, and cosmetics, the exhibition offers a comprehensive overview of Italian creativity. At the centre of this contemporary tale are two emblematic testimonies of the success of Italian creativity: two original costumes of Federico Fellini’s Casanova, designed by Danilo Donati and made by Sartoria Farani, awarded the Oscar in 1977. The itinerary is enriched by screens presenting images and contents of the associations involved, helping to tell the creative processes underlying the exhibited productions. Two installations also allow you to consult the complete catalog of objects on display through Nova Arca, according to the operation of a chatbot platform.
The event brings together companies and designers from Italy’s leading professional associations, which represent the entire supply chain: haute couture, textiles, leather goods, footwear, eyewear, jewelry, fine jewelry, and cosmetics. Taken together, these realities express the vitality of an economic sector of prime importance, with more than half a million employees and 62,000 companies. The participating associations are: Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana (National Chamber for Italian Fashion), Confindustria Moda, ANFAO – National Association of Italian Optical Manufacturers, CAM – Confindustria Accessori Moda, CNA Federmoda, CNA Orafi, Confartigianato Imprese, Cosmetica Italia (Italian national association of cosmetics companies), Federorafi and Altagamma.
Launched in 2025, the ‘Italy is fashion’ initiative is part of a broader strategy of cultural and economic diplomacy aimed at promoting Italian creativity through the Italian diplomatic and cultural network in the world. By hosting the inaugural stage of this international journey, Montreal confirms its role as a creative metropolis and further strengthens the close cultural and economic ties between Canada and Italy.
