Apulian Runway Experience Shines Light On Italy

From traditional tailoring to spacesuits: Puglia’s manufacturing sector showcases its
best at the second edition of the Apulian Runway Experience, Puglia Fashion Week,
organized by CNA Puglia under the patronage and support of the Puglia Region.
As always, the event will take place across multiple stops throughout the region. This
year, an additional stop has been added, and it will run from November 9th to 13th,
starting in Lecce and continuing through Martina Franca, Mesagne, Bari, and Trani.

Over 50 selected Puglian brands and dozens of professionals are involved in this new
edition, featuring fashion shows and exhibitions of accessories and jewelry.
During the second edition of ARE, particularly in the Martina Franca stop, the new
spacesuits designed and produced by Rea Space, an innovative Puglian company that
combines design and technology and won the 2024 Compasso d’Oro, will be
showcased for the first time.

At the event’s press conference held this morning at the Bari Chamber of Commerce,
Daniele Del Genio, President of CNA Puglia, highlighted the importance of synergy
between various entrepreneurial realities and institutions to provide concrete answers
to the evolving market’s needs, both expressed and unexpressed. Similarly,
Alessandro Delli Noci, Regional Councilor for Economic Development, emphasized
how the region has been working tirelessly in recent years to promote “Made in Puglia,”
supporting small and medium enterprises to enter international markets and providing
them with tools and regional measures for innovation.

Del Genio also thanked the Archival and Bibliographic Superintendency of Puglia for
its historical-documentary research on textiles in the Itria Valley. As Superintendent
Marco Bascapè stated, “For over five centuries, first locally and then nationally and
internationally, the precious artisanal knowledge has been transformed into a driver of
economic and entrepreneurial development, achieving the high production standards
of Made in Italy.”

The tradition was also addressed by the Regional Councilor for Culture, Paola
Romano: “Starting from who we are and who we have been to understand and innovate
our tradition,” and Luciana Di Bisceglie, President of the Bari Chamber of Commerce:

“We must be able to pass on what we have produced over the years; the quality of our
products must create an identity for Puglian districts and supply chains.”
Tradition, but above all, creativity, as emphasized by Guido Santilio, President of the
ADI Puglia and Basilicata Delegation: “In the fashion sector, the design approach can
push the horizon of innovation beyond the purely stylistic boundary, making even
smaller companies capable of competing with the most famous brands.” Giuseppe
Negro, Director of Its Academy Mi.ti. Moda, echoed this sentiment: “This event is proof
that Puglia has a productive, creative, entrepreneurial fabric that is vibrant, capable of
producing quality, and competing in international markets without envy for other
territories.”

As stated by Roberto Ruggieri, Councilor for Productive Activities in Martina Franca:
“Beauty, class, and elegance are part of our city’s DNA; they characterize the most
precious architectural and artistic testimonies of the historic center and Baroque
palaces and are also reflected in the fashion created in Martina, designed by our stylists
and crafted in ateliers and companies by the skilled and tireless hands of our artisans.”
The Apulian Runway Experience is the result of collaboration between CNA Puglia, La
Ditta Aps, 4Season Events, Altavoce, and Spazio Art d’Or.

The event is sponsored and supported by the Puglia Region, ITS Academy for Fashion
Mi.Ti., the Municipality of Martina Franca, and the Brindisi-Taranto Chamber of
Commerce. Additional sponsorships include the Bari Chamber of Commerce and the
Archival and Bibliographic Superintendency of Puglia.