Milano Unica, the international textile fair in Italy’s fashion capital, has partnered with the CFDA to create The Fabric Program, giving a selection of CFDA Members the chance to work directly with Italy’s top mills.

Womenswear designer Ryan Roche and milliner Gigi Burris will participate in the first edition of the program, with a menswear designer to be announced at a later date. By gaining access to Italian mills, they will be exposed to an interactive approach to design, and the aim is to educate these American designers about Made in Italy, especially the techniques and methods in its luxurious fabrics. The designers will work with artisans to create their own signature textiles for their Spring/Summer 2017 collections, which will be shown both at New York Fashion Week and with an installation at Milano Unica.

“A core tenet of the CFDA is to provide our designer members with unique opportunities to strengthen and evolve their businesses,” Steven Kolb, President and CEO of the CFDA said. “Our partnership with Milano Unica is a perfect example of this as it gives emerging American designers the chance to create custom fabrics with Italy’s best production houses.”

President of Milano Unica Ercole Botto Poaia added: “We are very proud of this partnership to support American designers. To show them the Italian way of craftsmanship is a unique opportunity for us, and having them learn about our heritage will be knowledge they can take with them into the future.”