Simone Canclini becomes new president of Milano Unica

Following Première Vision’s lead in appointing Florence Rousson as chairwoman of the board, Milano Unica has now confirmed the designation of its new president, Simone Canclini. He succeeds Alessandro Barberis Canonico, who assumed the role amid the Covid pandemic in 2020. His tenure concluded after four years, culminating with the 38th edition of the Italian textile fair held in Milan last February.

Simone Canclini represents the third generation of the textile manufacturer Canclini, founded in 1925 by his grandfather Giuseppe Canclini near Lake Como, in the region renowned for Italian silk production. Joining the family business in the 1990s, he has steered it as CEO alongside his cousin Mauro Canclini, who serves as creative director of the company.

Initially focused on silk for women’s lingerie, Canclini Tessile, now headquartered in Guanzate near Como, diversified in the late 1970s into cotton fabric for men’s shirts, which became its core business. Under Simone Canclini’s leadership, the company has shifted towards the luxury market, offering fabrics tailored for renowned houses, from Dior to Hermès, Prada, and Zegna. The manufacturer, which acquired a knitwear company in 2017 and diversified into technical fibers and linen, boasts a turnover of 50 million euros and employs 250 individuals.

The new president “embodies for Milano Unica a pledge to excellence and the continuity of unwavering commitment towards the growth of the textile and accessories market in the premium and luxury segments,” underscored the Italian trade show in a statement.

Having served on Milano Unica’s board of directors for years, Simone Canclini also serves as the president of the Fondazione del Tessile Italiano, which brings together Italian cotton and linen producers from the historical Associazione Cotoniera e Liniera. He has just assumed his role and will preside over his first Milano Unica exhibition from July 9 to 11, 2024, in Milan.

Meanwhile, Alessandro Barberis Canonico remains within Milano Unica’s board of directors and will continue to oversee IdeaBiella, the section of the exhibition dedicated to high-end fabrics, until spring 2025.