MarediModa 2025 Cannes Showcases Global Innovation and Emerging Talent in Beachwear Lingerie and Athleisure
MarediModa, the premier trade fair for Made-in-Europe fabrics and accessories across the beachwear, lingerie, and athleisure sectors, continues to solidify its pivotal position on the global stage. The 2025 edition, which convened at the prestigious Palais des Festivals in Cannes from October 22nd to 24th, notably achieved significant expansion, recording an impressive 3% increase in overall attendance alongside an elevated calibre of visitors, underscoring its growing international appeal and influence.
Claudio Taiana, President of MarediModa, confirmed the positive trend, stating, "Over the three days of the fair we saw an increase in buyers compared with 2024, particularly in the high and upper-mid segments of the market, with major international brands and luxury groups in attendance." While acknowledging a slight decrease in participation from smaller brands and start-ups, the fair continued to draw a robust international presence. Italy maintained its lead with 30% of visitors, followed by France, a rapidly growing Spain, the United Kingdom, and Germany. The traditional post-fair survey also highlighted a shift towards more decisive purchasing and a renewed surge of creative energy among attendees.
A key highlight of the 23rd edition was the captivating focus on Spring/Summer 2027 trends, expertly curated by David Shah. Titled "Making Waves," this segment served as a powerful call for innovation and disruption within the fashion industry. The theme encouraged participants to venture beyond conventional boundaries, challenging established norms, and striving to generate a profound and lasting impact on the evolving world of fashion.
Three distinctive projects particularly captivated the attention of both visitors and exhibitors. "Flash!" celebrated the vibrant world of the sea through a display of cutting-edge fabrics, exclusive prototypes, and evocative editorial photo shoots. "Ath," with its compelling claim "Freedom is not for sale," delved into the dynamic realm of athleisure, seamlessly blending elements of fashion and sport into a compelling narrative of freedom and high performance. Lastly, "Seam" showcased the invaluable savoir-faire of third-party garment manufacturers, emphasizing their essential role as the critical link transforming creative visions into tangible realities.
This year, "The Link," MarediModa's long-standing talent-scouting competition, achieved unprecedented success. Dedicated to fostering young designers from Europe’s most esteemed schools, the initiative encourages them to reimagine the foundational codes of beachwear, underwear, and athleisure. The 2025 edition broke all previous records, receiving an astounding 128 entries from 37 different countries, unequivocally highlighting the competition's expansive international reach and profound cultural significance. The jury's report praised the submissions, noting, "Almost all of this year's projects convey a positive and vital message, marked by a desire to rewrite the language of fashion with new symbols that are brighter, more inclusive and optimistic."
During the event, the nine finalists proudly presented their innovative collections within dedicated exhibition spaces and showcased them in a dynamic catwalk show. This spectacular presentation was made possible through the generous support of MarediModa and its participating exhibitors, who provided essential materials and technical assistance. The esteemed winners of The Link 2025 were announced: Mattia D'Aquila from Italy's Accademia PBS claimed the award for Beachwear; Reka Kinga Bartha from Hungary’s University of Art and Design in Cluj-Napoca secured the Underwear prize; and Michele Zazzeroni, representing Italy’s Next Fashion School by Carlo Secoli, triumphed in the Athleisure category.
Reaching the final stages of "The Link" is inherently a significant achievement, reflected in the identical plaques awarded to all finalists. Therefore, due recognition is also extended to the other distinguished finalists: in Beachwear, Emma Parastoo Kianinia (Iran, second) and Victoria Minascurta (Moldova, third); in Underwear, Marielena Nicolau (Cyprus, second) and Jessica Twomey (United Kingdom, third); and in Athleisure, Marta Fanciulli (Italy, second) and Melissa Isacco (Italy, third).
The fair also provided a special platform for its customary awards, celebrating companies within the sector that have reached significant business anniversaries. France’s Interlinge was honored for marking 25 years of operation; Italy’s Seride was recognized for an impressive 50 years in business in 2025; and France’s Plymouth Française received accolades for achieving a remarkable 90 years of existence, underscoring their enduring contributions to the industry.
