Paris, February 18, 2008 – Last July, Lectra, the world's leading provider of integrated technology solutions for the fashion industry, signed an historic partnership agreement with the prestigious Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana (National Chamber for Italian Fashion), the association that governs, coordinates and promotes the development of Italian fashion worldwide.

Through this partnership with the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana (CNMI), Lectra will be associated with all major fashion events in Italy, such as industry-related conferences, promotional events and the world-renowned “Fashion Week” in Milan: Milano Moda Donna (February 16-23, 2008).

The “Next Generation Project”
Lectra and the CNMI also decided to work together on programs to help young Italian designers successfully achieve their projects. As a result, Lectra is now particularly involved in three main projects dedicated to the support of young designers: the “Fashion Incubator Project”, “Next Generation Project” and “reGeneration Project”.

The primary objective of the CNMI-Lectra “Next Generation Project” – also in collaboration with the Camera del Commercio of Milan - is to identify, encourage and distinguish young talented designers under 30 years old and is aimed at finding a new generation of designers to defend and enhance the future development of the “Made in Italy” image.

Four winners have been chosen from 120 candidates by a jury composed of CNMI members and other important fashion professionals and Fashion journalists: Giulia Burrascano, 24, a student at the Accademia di Costume di Moda; Vanessa Cinquemani, 25, having an industrial design training; Maurizio Iappicca, 23, graduate of Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti of Milano and Valentina Vizio, 30, having a doctorate in architecture from Politecnico Milano.

Thanks to CNMI and Lectra, the 4 students had the possibility to demonstrate their talents and design their first collection that will be exhibited during the 2008 Milano Moda Donna fashion show taking place on February 23rd. Some creations of their collection have also been previewed at the Lectra booth during the inauguration event on February 16th. Lectra has especially supported the students by offering free use of its Kaledo design solution, by sharing its expertise and by providing training.
 

“We are very proud to be involved in the promotion of a new generation of fashion talents in Italy”, said Daniel Harari, Chief Executive Officer, Lectra. “On a global level, Lectra is very honored to defend and support the “Made in Italy” image.”

Kaledo: designed by Lectra!
The Kaledo range is the result of Lectra’s experience acquired over the past 30 years. It includes the Kaledo Collection application for designing collections along with Kaledo Print, Kaledo Knit and Kaledo Weave, the textile applications for creating original prints, knits and yarn-dyed woven fabrics. With Kaledo, designers can present, test, change and develop a large number of styles and easily create a wide variety of fabrics and colorways. Ultra-realistic simulations allow them to express their creative ideas. This user-friendly range of design applications takes technical data into account, simplifying production series and allowing product lines to be developed very quickly.
For more information about Kaledo, please visit our website: http://www.lectra.com/design/

About the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana
Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana is a non-profit association that governs, coordinates and promotes the development of Italian fashion throughout the world. It represents the highest cultural values of the Italian fashion industry, and it exists to defend, coordinate and upgrade the image of these values, both in Italy and abroad. The Association is the point of reference and the privileged interlocutor for all national and international initiatives to give value and promote Italian style, Italian customs, and Italian fashion. 
For further information please visit www.cameramoda.it