The Centre quarterly newsletter, March 2026 issue, is now available.
In this issue:
Main event…
The Italian Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ICCJ) successfully concluded the second edition of The NIC (New Italian Cool) Award on 14 November 2025, in Tokyo. The purpose of the fashion competition is to spotlight emerging Italian design talent and strengthen creative connections between Italy and Japan, serving as a strategic platform for promoting new Made in Italy excellence.
The event brought together 200 guests, including buyers, journalists, influencers, and industry professionals, at the historic Shōtengai Palm shopping street in Musashi-Koyama, twinned with Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. A distinguished Japanese jury featuring designers Tomo Koizumi and Yasutoshi Ezumi, Maiko Shibata from the company Restir, and industry expert Ritsuko Hotta selected winners across multiple categories based on originality, innovation, and sustainability.
The 2025 winners included Alberto Zambelli (Category NEW - Apparel & Press Award), 959 (Category NEW - Accessories), Giulia Lin (Category UPCOMING), Chronos Corps (Lineapelle Prize - Category NEW), Maria Palomba (Lineapelle Prize - Category UPCOMING), and FIALLO (Sustainability Award). Winners presented their collections in an exclusive fashion show and met with Japanese press and distributors.
This year's competition doubled participation to over 80 designers and strengthened partnerships with key industry organizations including Confartigianato, Lineapelle, Itochu Fashion System, coconogacco, and Istituto Marangoni Firenze. Winners' creations will be displayed for one month at the ICCJ showroom in central Tokyo, where the Chamber facilitates connections with buyers and industry professionals. All finalists will receive personalized market consultations and participate in workshops with local designers and artisans.
"The NIC Award is more than a competition, it's a creative hub connecting Italian designers with Japanese professionals, strategically promoting new talent and refocusing Japanese consumers on Italian creativity", stated Davide Fantoni, Secretary General of ICCJ.
Source: Italian Chamber of Commerce in Japan
Published: January 2026
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Joint venture established in 1987 by the European Commission (DG GROW) and the Japanese Government (METI) for promoting all forms of industrial, trade and investment cooperation between the EU and Japan.
