Micam
Looking Ahead to the Next Generation
From September 13 to 15, 2026, Micam Milano at Fiera Milano Rho will once again serve as a stage for up-and-coming international talent.
Launched in 2018 and developed in collaboration with trade show marketing specialist Honegger, the format has since become an integral part of the trade show and an important barometer for the future of the international footwear market. “Emerging Designers” is now in its ninth edition. This time, the spotlight is on twelve designers and brands: Éeclat, En Talons, Joel Wijangco, Maliko, Moon2gether, Nalebe, Paidal, Raphia, Stefano Mugnai, Te Dreamers Club, Tenconi, and Wud. What unites them is not so much a shared aesthetic as a passion for experimentation. Craftsmanship, material research, innovative designs, and new interpretations of established footwear conventions meet the demands of a market in which comfort, functionality, and distinctive brand identity are becoming increasingly important.
The talents were selected by a jury of prominent figures from the fashion and communications industries, chaired by Ernesto Esposito. The jury included Sabrina Donadel, Ada Kokosar, Americo Cacciapuoti, Bojan Kostic, and Sergio Zambon, as well as MICAM President Giovanna Ceolini and CEO Giorgio Possagno. The selection is therefore explicitly not intended as a trend ranking, but rather as a look at various creative strategies and business models that have the potential to gain a foothold internationally.
This is exactly where the initiative comes in: Emerging Designers aims not only to showcase creativity, but also to connect it with business. The twelve labels will each have their own presentation space, designed to facilitate connections with buyers, companies, and international industry professionals. In addition, they are part of the MICAM Next program, where they can present their creative approaches and their perspectives on the future of the footwear market.
“Supporting new talent means investing in the future of the entire footwear industry,” says Giovanna Ceolini. MICAM sees itself as a bridge between creativity and business—and emerging designers as a concrete tool for forging that connection.
For Ernesto Esposito, the strength of the format lies precisely in bringing together creative ideas, production expertise, and the international market. After all, a good idea must become a viable product and, ultimately, a successful brand. “Emerging Designers” creates a platform for this—and once again makes MICAM a launchpad for the next generation of the international footwear industry.
