Proposte 2025: Villa Erba 6, 7 and 8 May 2025
The 31st edition of Proposte concluded successfully, showcasing the finest furnishing, curtain, trimming, and wall covering fabrics to industry professionals. Villa Erba witnessed a significant turnout on the opening day, with a calmer atmosphere following.
Positive the final balance of this thirty-first edition. The data from the first two days show an overall increase of 4%. The foreign component remains predominant, representing 70% of buyers from approximately 70 countries. Substantial stability in attendance from Germany and Great Britain, a slight increase from the United States and France, and after years of stability, there is an increase in Italian buyers.
"Proposte will remain at Villa Erba in 2025, adhering to the existing lease agreement. The 32nd edition will take place on May 6, 7, and 8," confirms President Alessandro Tessuto. "In the meantime, we are collaborating with the Exhibition Center management, the Municipality of Cernobbio, and Confindustria Como on a project to regulate participation from companies outside the exhibition."
Special areas in Ala Lario, including Cometa Formazione, Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp, and Fashion Room, garnered considerable interest. Ala Cernobbio also featured four startups: CDC_Studio, FLOCUS™, Fili Pari, and YMPACT, all promoting innovative solutions for new materials and textile upcycling.
This year, ICE - Agency for the promotion abroad and internationalization of Italian companies - once again partnered with Proposte. They facilitated the participation of 51 selected buyers and 9 foreign journalists from the professional press sector, aiming to strengthen economic and commercial ties between Italy and international markets.
The opening day concluded with a delightful light dinner and background pop music, entertaining exhibitors, visitors, and journalists in the charming atmosphere of Villa Antica.
ComoCrea Interni gives positive feedback; the 23 designers are satisfied with the new contacts established and look forward to continuing their synergy with Proposte.
Follow the Fair's social media channels for news from Proposte 2024 exhibitors.
Proposte 2024 - we're almost there!
Proposte 2024 | we're almost there!
We are pleased to announce the opening of Proposte, the International Trade Show of Upholstery Fabrics and Curtains, at Villa Erba from Thursday, May 2 to Saturday, May 4.
Proposte has become a point of reference for leading industry specialists from around the world, who come every year to see products of excellence presented by the best international companies in home textiles, curtains, wallcoverings and trimmings.
This year, the trade show hosts 79 exhibitors, 48 international and 31 Italian, representing the top tier in their segment and showcasing a preview of their most innovative and fascinating collections.
The claim of the 2024 communication campaign - "Textiles to ideas" - highlights how creativity and technology are at the core of the collections presented by the trade show exhibitors, reflected in assortments that meet the highest standards with a unique know-how that is difficult to imitate, featuring a wealth of options to satisfy the needs of the most demanding buyers.
Proposte’s quality is only at Villa Erba
Proposte’s exhibitors at Villa Erba have shown that they possess these characteristics, passing the rigorous controls of the trade show’s selection team and confirming their solid production capacity and design offices always ready to present innovative, cutting-edge fabrics.
Proposte is like a seal of quality that guarantees the excellence of the participating exhibitors. We know that outside Villa Erba there may be some companies that are not part of Proposte. These outside exhibitors, however respectable, are not part of our circuit and organization.
Comocrea at Proposte
At Proposte 2024, the growing number of exhibitors and the renewed collaboration with Comocrea – which allows the creation of supply chain synergies thanks to the contacts with the leading international textile designers – made the trade show expand and use the entire available area of the exhibition center.
The custom seating of the exhibitors of Proposte
In this edition, we also invite you to discover the elegance of the custom seating, specially designed by our exhibitors.
The exhibition continues outside the booths and also fills the Padiglione Centrale, where fine upholstery fabrics designed and interpreted by our exhibitors are on display.
Follow the path, enjoy a full immersion in a world of colors and textures and let yourself be inspired.
Finally, treat yourself to a moment of relaxation outdoors, where you can discover exclusive, weather-resistant fabrics designed for use in outdoor spaces.
Collaboration with ICE Agency
Finally, the collaboration with the Italian Trade Agency ICE will bring 51 selected buyers from 15 countries to Villa Erba: Australia, China, Croatia, the United Arab Emirates, France, Japan, Jordan, India, Slovenia, Spain, the United States, Sweden, Tunisia, Turkey and Hungary. 9 international journalists will also participate in Proposte to publicize the event through the publication of dedicated articles.
Evening event Proposte 2024
Lastly, we remind you that Proposte will host the traditional evening reception, with light dinner and music, at the end of the first day of the event on May 2. An ideal time for networking and relaxation.
All this is Proposte. All this is only at Proposte.
DOWNLOAD THE AGENDA OF PROPOSTE 2024
Proposte 2024 - the exhibitors
The 31st edition of Proposte, the world's preview of furnishing fabrics and curtains, will be held at Villa Erba in Cernobbio from May 2 to May 4, 2024.
The exhibition will showcase the new collections of upholstery fabrics, curtains, trimmings, and wallcoverings.
In the incomparable setting of Lake Como, 79 selected international exhibitors - 31 from Italy and 48 from abroad - will present their solutions to the most sophisticated textile demands of entrepreneurs from all over the world (in 2023, representatives from 73 countries visited the show).
The exhibition area has been further rationalized to include 9 new exhibitors (4 from Italy, 2 from Belgium, 1 from France, 1 from Great Britain, and 1 from Spain), whose products, organization, and business philosophy meet the requirements.
Two important returns are worth mentioning. Eda - Enzo degli Angiuoni (Italy), acquired in 2023 by Francesca Busnelli together with a pool of investors, is renowned globally for the quality and style excellence of its furnishing fabrics. Seteria Bianchi (Italy) acquired by Fermo Fossati 1871 srl, is Italy’s oldest silk industry and the third oldest in the world, one of the very few that can offer pure silk furnishing fabrics to be used for a variety of purposes, ranging from heavy curtains to wallcoverings and upholstery.
The new entries include Print4 Group (Italy) e Tissage Mahieu (Belgium), Both companies produce wallcoverings. Proposte entered this segment last year with already increasing interest and appreciation.
Another new entry is Aquaclean Fabrics (Spain). With its revolutionary Aquaclean® technology, the company can meet the sophisticated needs of architects, interior designers, and detail-conscious homeowners.
For the first time at Proposte is Belo Velvets (Belgium) which has been designing and manufacturing high-end velvets and plain fabrics for more than 40 years.
Tissage des Flandres (France) will participate for the first time with its high-end jacquard pattern collections, which it has been producing for more than 130 years, along with Harris Tweed Hebrides (Great Britain), a world leader in British luxury fabrics.
Last but not least, Mariantonia Urru (Italy), is a company that creates unique handmade and jacquard fabrics with innovative technology.
"We are proud of seeing new companies participating in the show," commented Massimo Mosiello, Director of Proposte. "They will increase the prestige of the trade show. Two important companies that have already presented their collections at Proposte in the past are coming back. This is another confirmation that our trade show is increasingly becoming a fundamental showcase for industry operators."
Aware of their role as world leaders in furnishing textiles, Proposte's exhibitors are committed to creating cutting-edge collections that are up to face the challenges of competition with the ultimate goal of offering customers insights and opportunities to meet every need.
Made in Proposte is a universal textile language that fears no competition. The trade show is a showcase of a unique savoir-faire that is difficult to imitate. The participating companies have been working – maybe as never before - to offer products of excellent quality that are the result of a perfect mix of creativity and technology.
Like last year, the Ala Regina space will be reserved for Comocrea Interni, an event dedicated to textile design for furnishing fabrics, featuring the participation of the best international design studios. The collaboration between Proposte and Comocrea Interni was confirmed again to make the experience even more complete.
We take this opportunity to thank the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Italian Trade Agency ICE for their unfailing support.
EXHIBITORS LIST PROPOSTE 2024 BY STAND
EXHIBITORS LIST PROPOSTE 2024 BY COUNTRY
Proposte 2024 - Advertising image: textiles to ideas
PROPOSTE 2024 | ADVERTISING IMAGE: TEXTILES TO IDEAS
The advertising image of Proposte 2024 celebrates creativity and innovation in furnishing textiles and uses the light bulb as a symbol for ideas. The headline 'textiles to ideas' integrates with the visual by linking the world of textiles to ideas, promoting reflection, innovation and creativity, thus reinforcing the bond. This representation offers an iconic image that draws attention to the link between textiles and ideas, highlighting the central role of creativity in the industry.
PROPOSTE 2024
The 31st edition of Proposte is scheduled for May 2-4, 2024, from Thursday to Saturday at Villa Erba exhibition center in Cernobbio. We are concentrating efforts to offer exhibitors, visitors and journalists an experience above expectations. The trade show has always been recognized as a point of reference in the industry and a showcase of excellence for new collections of furnishing fabrics, curtains, trimmings and wall coverings.
We remind you that Proposte is a trade show reserved for sector’s operators, who belong to the following categories: textile editors, upholstered furniture manufacturers, wholesalers, converters, major retails chain, contract operators, architecture and interior design studios.
Follow us for further updates. We look forward to seeing you at Proposte 2024!
The President Alessandro Tessuto together with the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee and all the organizational staff wishes you Happy Holidays!
Proposte 2024 - The dates
After an accurate analysis taking into account the calendar of holidays and other international trade shows, the Board of Directors of Proposte Srl, chaired by Alessandro Tessuto, has resolved that the 31st edition of Proposte be held from Thursday 2 to Saturday 4 May 2024. As usual, the location will be the Villa Erba exhibition centre in Cernobbio.
Proposte is a trade show reserved for sector operators belonging to the following categories: publishers of textiles, upholstered furniture manufacturers, wholesalers, converters, large distribution chains, contract operators and architects.
Proposte is already working to offer exhibitors, visitors and journalists an experience that meets their expectations. The trade show has always been recognised as a benchmark in the industry and a showcase of products of excellence represented by the new collections of furnishing fabrics and curtains.
To learn more about the news regarding the 31st edition of Proposte, we invite you to stay in touch via the social media Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, the website www.propostefair.it and the Proposte marketplace at fierasmart365.propostefair.it, whose objective is to offer exhibitors an up-to-date virtual showcase.
Proposte 2023 - Final Considerations
The 30th edition of Proposte has just dropped the curtains with a growing number of attending visitors and satisfaction from the exhibitors. Visitor attendance was very high, especially on the first day of the event, with operators who visited Villa Erba to discover the excellence of furnishing fabrics, curtains, trimmings, and wall coverings.
Special thanks to the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Italian Trade Agency ICE for their support.
This year too, the Italian Trade Agency ICE for the promotion abroad and internationalization of Italian companies confirmed its collaboration with Proposte organizing the incoming of international operators and journalists from China, India, Korea, Slovenia, Tunisia, the United States, Japan, and New Zealand, to develop, facilitate and promote trade relations between Italy and foreign countries.
On Wednesday, April 19, ICE Agency Director General Dr. Roberto Luongo visited the event at Villa Erba together with Massimo Mosiello, Director of Proposte.
The four start-ups located in the Ala Cernobbio drew much attention: CDC_Studio, FLOCUS™, Fody Benefit Society, and Nazena, concentrating on the promotion and development of new solutions for New Materials and Textile Upcycling. In addition to the Start-up Area, other interesting proposals were showcased in the Ala Lario: Cometa Formazione, Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp, and Fashion Room.
At the end of the second day of the trade show, Proposte celebrated its 30th edition with exhibitors, visitors, and journalists with a light dinner and swing music in the background in the wonderful setting of Villa Antica. In his speech addressed to the attendees, President Alessandro Tessuto repeated the concept that the success of the event, which, in thirty years, has become the point of reference in the world of furnishing textiles, is mainly attributable to the participation of those who have continued to support and believe in Proposte over time. The President also warned about the situation outside Villa Erba with companies presenting their collections in some cases just a few days before the opening of Proposte and taking advantage of Proposte's organization.
The final balance of this 30th edition is positive: "23% more foreign visitors compared to the 2022 edition. More visitors came from the United States (+26%), United Kingdom (+33%), France (+12%), and Germany (+13%); the performance of China was also positive," commented the Director Massimo Mosiello
ComoCrea recorded a positive performance overall. The 18 designers expressed satisfaction with the number of visitors they met and the new contacts established.
Proposte 2023 - news and agenda
SPECIAL AREAS
Like last year, Proposte will feature special areas during the three days of the trade show at Villa Erba
AREA STARTUP in collaboration with:
CDC Studio is an innovation hub that offers technological and innovative solutions for the reuse of waste or unsold materials. Waste materials are given new life through polyethylene regenerated using the patented coeo technology; in this way, waste is transformed into a resource - from waste to evolution.
FLOCUS™ is the brand of kapok fibers offering a range of textile products: virgin fibers, yarns, woven and nonwoven textiles. Flocus is an innovator in the supply chain: from raw materials to finished products ready for market. Flocus established KRAF, a nonprofit foundation, engaged in kapok tree planting with the help of some customers.
StartUp Fody - Società benefit
Fody is an Innovative Startup, involved in the evaluation of undervalued resources. In our inclusive laboratories, high quality fabric scraps are transformed into lifesaving blankets and new eco-social products, by disadvantaged people, which through a personal empowerment process, can access new and unique job opportunities.
Since 2020 the blankets produced are donated regularly to homeless people, refugees and abandoned animals in Europe, and since 2022, all materials that are not usable for the purpose, are transformed into unique gadgets for Companies, to support the development of the inclusive laboratories.
Our first goal is to donate 1 Million lifesaving blankets by 2030, empowering 1000 disadvantaged people and evaluating 1000 Tons of fabric scraps.
Nazena recovers textile scraps of natural and/or synthetic fibers and transforms them into construction material to replace plasterboard, flooring, soundproofing panels, packaging material, labels or pieces of furniture for stores and homes: from chairs to tables, bookshelves, trays or any other design product. All production is in-house, with a patented process, using only natural materials.
The Oliver Twist School was founded in Como in 2003 from the experience of Cometa, a family association that has been welcoming and educating children and young people in difficulty since 1987. One of their training courses is "Textile Processing Operator," where students learn to develop upholstery designs (first drawn by hand and then processed with Photoshop). The designs are developed at the request of clients inside and outside the school, starting from a theme presented in a moodboard. This creative activity is supplemented with an analysis of the textile supply chain operation, with special regard to the processes of finishing, printing, archiving/sampling and quality control. The students participating in Cometa, who will be present at Proposte, will be given an opportunity to directly experience a real context, showing their designs to the visitors of the trade show. This is also an opportunity for them to learn first-hand about an important event for the industry and the companies that operate in it.
Alliance for European Flax-Linen & Hemp
The Alliance for European Flax-Linen and Hemp is the only European agro-industrial reference organization on a global scale that groups all players in the European Flax-Linen and Hemp value chain with a threefold mission: inform members, brands, and consumers; support the European ecosystem and know-how; promote European Flax-Linen and Hemp as the world's preferred, sustainable premium quality fibers. The Alliance is committed to increasing the international visibility of European Flax-Linen and Hemp, whose technical and environmental qualities provide worldwide creative inspiration and offer new perspectives for industrial innovation. It ensures the traceability of Flax-Linen fiber through EUROPEAN FLAX® and MASTERS OF LINEN® certifications.
Fashion Room is a bookstore specializing in fashion and design. A place where creative people can find all the tools to support the work that goes into the research and development of new collections, new materials and new colors.
INTERNATIONAL OBSERVATORY
The eighth edition of International Observatory, will be held at the Sheraton Lake Como Hotel, just a few minutes from the Villa Erba Exhibition Center. 14 companies operating in the international furnishing textiles sector will present their products. Visitors holding the Proposte electronic badge can access the exhibition directly or check in at the accreditation reception desk. A direct shuttle service leaving from the main gate of Villa Erba is available for convenient transfers between the two locations.
DOWNLOAD THE AGENDA OF PROPOSTE 2023
Proposte 2023 - 78 exhibitor companies at Villa Erba
78 companies will participate in the 30th edition of Proposte scheduled on April 18, 19, and 20, 2023.
Villa Erba is the unique and exclusive location of Proposte, hosting 29 Italian and 49 international exhibitor companies. For the first time, the French manufacturer Linder and the Italian manufacturer SIRPI JVwallcovering, opening Proposte’s doors to the world of wallcoverings, will participate in the trade show.
The number of exhibitors is going back to comparable pre-pandemic levels and it is interesting to note that ten companies – one Italian and nine from abroad – have re-confirmed their participation after years. "This is a great satisfaction that marks a turning point after the issue we have had with the Fuorisalone of Cernobbio. The fact that companies have come back to Proposte – like the Turkish Vanelli Tekstil - is evidence of the importance of Proposte held at the Villa Erba exhibition center as a “must-attend” event in the world of furnishing fabrics and curtains," commented Alessandro Tessuto, president of Proposte.
The 30th edition of Proposte will feature a new collaboration. This year, Comocrea Interni, the exhibition dedicated to textile design, will have a reserved area in the exhibition center. The Ala Regina will also be dedicated to 18 designers who, over the years, have presented their collections in parallel with Proposte. Two excellences - Proposte and Comocrea Interni - have joined forces to make the visitors' experience more complete.
DOWNLOAD THE EXHIBITORS LIST OF PROPOSTE 2023 (updated on 20th February 2023)
Proposte 2023 - Image
The 30th edition of Proposte will take place on April 18, 19 and 20, 2023, in the usual setting of Villa Erba in Cernobbio.
Proposte 2023 advertising image incorporates fabric, the key player of the exhibition, that playfully integrates with the graphic elements, with a colorful drape that reminds us of a poster within a poster, almost like an invitation to an important anniversary. The choice of the bright and saturated color palette, along with the traditional red of Proposte, symbolizes the importance of the combination of tradition with renewal, the key ingredients of Proposte’s great success.
The 30th edition marks a significant anniversary that brings us back in time to the advertising pages that most made the history of Proposte.
There were numerous collaborations with designers, but, among the most significant, we recall 2010, the year in which Karim Rashid used several patterns typical of his style to develop our graphic image. In 2014 and 2019, we involved two winners of the Golden Compass Award: Giancarlo Iliprandi, who created a page with his most recognizable international typographic style; and Studiocharlie with "Woven Stories", i.e. woven stories told through the advertising page, and even more so with the installation located the Central Hall, narrating the uniqueness of the history of furnishing textiles through the voices of the exhibitors.
We cannot forget to mention architect Mario Bellini, who in 1986 designed the Villa Erba exhibition center and in 2018 developed a page with the draft design that inspired the layout of the central hall that remained on display during the three-day event.
Over the years, Proposte has also relied on the collaboration of illustrators and artists. The most faithful will remember a man dressed in yellow who, in 2005, accompanied the wait for Proposte; for months, the mascot of the Exhibition spread kindness and optimism through the hand of Angelo Ruta. For the 25th edition, in 2017, we collaborated with artist Paolo Gonzato, whose image revolved around fabric and color and inspired a unique piece of art he created to reward the 25 companies that made Proposte's history in the exhibition’s 25th anniversary celebration. In 2021, it was the turn of Agostino Iacurci, an Italian artist based in Berlin, who exalted the concept of upholstery fabric with the patterns he used to decorate the armchair that was the focus of the poster, just as it is the focus of a home living room.
In a journey back through the history of Proposte, the great film director, Franco Zeffirelli, did not design the advertising page but collaborated with us in 2008, confirming the Maestro's unfailing attention to interior decoration textiles as a set designer and director.
PROPOSTE 2022 - FINAL CONSIDERATIONS
The curtain has fallen on the 29th edition of Proposte. All the exhibitors taking part in the 3-day trade show held in Cernobbio expressed satisfaction with the participation of buyers from all over the world.
As usual, at the closing of the trade show, the Board of Directors met to resolve on the offices to renew. Piercarlo Viganò ends his 3-year term as President. "I am very happy to end my term after such an exciting edition. Attendance was up over 30% and, in particular, the participation of foreign companies increased by over 45%," said the outgoing President. "I am also more than happy because my dear friend and colleague Alessandro Tessuto, of Clerici Tessuto & C., has finally given in to my entreaties and agreed to become the new President of Proposte for the next three years. I will continue to contribute to the organization of the trade show as director of Proposte and President of Ascontex." The entire Board of Directors of Proposte will be renewed: Mauro Cavelli passes the reins to his son Matteo, who will join Tessuto, Viganò, Marco Parravicini of Parà and Diego Vercellino of Sirio Tendaggi. The whole Board thanks the outgoing board member Mauro Cavelli for his valuable contribution, provided over more than twenty years of collaboration.
69 exhibitors presented their new collections at Proposte 2022 and visitors were given a general preview of the materials, designs and colors in the Exhibitor Forum installation located in the Padiglione Centrale.
The influences of the natural world stood out, both in the extensive use of yarns made from vegetable fibers, with some experiments in the use of unusual types and blends, and the color palette, dominated by warm earth tones alongside green and blue shades. Always present are off-white and neutral colors applied to new fibers and designs. The prints feature mainly animal and botanical motifs.
Bouclé and slub yarns are often used, giving heft and irregular textures to fabrics. Metallic yarns and laminated finishes are experimented with in both curtains and furnishings.
An increasing number of exhibitors are paying special attention to sustainability, both from the production cycle standpoint and in the presentation of novelties characterized by the choice of recycled materials.
"I would like to sincerely thank all the exhibitors who continue to show their faith in Proposte by presenting their exclusive collections at Villa Erba," said Director Massimo Mosiello "The trade show confirms its standing as an international showcase. This edition recorded 70% foreign visitors and 30% Italian visitors."
Special thanks to the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Italian Trade Agency ICE for their support.
During the three days of the exhibition, the “Italy is simply extraordinary: beIT “ video was shown in the Ali Lario and Cernobbio to promote Made-in-Italy production, support Italian exports and leverage the internationalization of the Italian economic system.
This year too, the Italian Trade Agency ICE, which supports the business development of Italian companies abroad and promotes the attraction of foreign investment in Italy, reconfirmed its collaboration with Proposte. With the intention of developing, facilitating and promoting economic and commercial relations of Italian companies with other countries, and with special attention to the needs of SMEs, the Italian Trade Agency ICE organized the incoming of 33 operators and 7 foreign trade press journalists from Argentina (1), Denmark (1), France (2), Germany (4), Japan (1), India (4), Lebanon (5), Mexico (1), New Zealand (2), Slovenia (1), Spain (3), Turkey (1), Uruguay (1), USA (9), United Kingdom (2), South Africa (1) and Hungary (1).
On Thursday morning, April 28, the ICE Director General, Dr. Roberto Luongo, accompanied by Director Massimo Mosiello, visited the Italian exhibitors at Villa Erba.
On Tuesday 26, at 11.30, ADM General Manager, Marcello Minenna, inaugurated the Laboratorio Mobile Milano in the Villa Erba gardens. The mobile structure enables the local performance of chemical analyses in a timely manner for specific product sectors.
Sophisticated aperitifs were held at sunset in the Villa Erba park on Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th, after exhibition hours. Attendance was high and the participants were more than happy to share a pleasant moment of relaxation after a hard day’s work.
"It is always a pleasure, and Proposte, which has been showcasing the excellence of research and experimentation in textiles for home décor and furnishing at Villa Erba for 29 years, is a flagship exhibition for us. We feel it as a priority to collaborate with the organizers of Proposte and provide them with our support.
The increased number of visitors is certainly a source of satisfaction for us too, and we take this opportunity to congratulate the organizers for their professionalism and expertise. Proposte is a global showcase and a flagship for Italy, generating great benefits also for ancillary activities,” added Piero Bonasegale, Director of Villa Erba.
After dropping the curtains at Villa Erba, Proposte moves to the web: the trade show goes online with the fierasmart365.propostefair.it marketplace, providing exhibitors an additional virtual showcase opportunity.