WoW Woman in Fashion I Federica Leonetti, Business and Innovation Advisor for Textile and Fashion Industry at Unioncamere Piemonte

Federica Leonetti is a Business and Innovation Advisor for Textile and Fashion Industry at Unioncamere Piemonte (Italy) and a Chair for the Sector Group Textile and Fashion for the Enterprise Europe Network.

Federica, tell us a bit about your background and your projects so far.

Regarding my background, I have a Degree in International Relations and one in Public and Media Relations, with an international Master's degree in European Union: Business and competitiveness.  Following my passions and my job priorities, I focused my interests on specific sectors like textile, creative industries, Fashion Technology, Women Entrepreneurship, and Access to Finance. I’m a Business Advisor for Textile and Fashion Industry at Unioncamere Piemonte (Regional Union of Chambers of Commerce in Piedmont Region, in Turin, IT) where I support textile and fashion companies /brands/ young entrepreneurs to be more competitive and to grow within new markets, worldwide as we are a member of the European network Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) that supports the internationalization and innovation of SMEs. EEN is co-financed by the European Commission with the objective to help SMEs to grow, innovate, and to become more competitive. I’m also Chair of the Sector Group Textile and Fashion in EEN. I joined the Sector Group Textile and Fashion in 2013 and in 2017 I have been appointed as Chair of the Group where I coordinate activities and events addressed to entrepreneurs with innovative inclination and international ambitions. We are a group of 30 members among EEN experts on fashion and textile from different European countries! 

Unioncamere Piemonte serves and represents the interests of the Regional Chamber System and pursues the Chambers’ common goals. We are a member of the Enterprise Europe Network.

With that role, Unioncamere Piemonte supports and promotes the general interests of the economic system and fosters initiatives that favour the development and internationalization of the region’s economy as well as the competitiveness of its enterprises.

How did you get into this industry? 

When I started my job at Unioncamere Piemonte I found an exciting world of smart people from all around the world working within a European network that it seemed to be so stimulating being connecting with different cultures, working for different projects and events all around the world having 2 business trips a month! So in 2013, I wished to be more active within the network and within the Textile sector as my region has many innovative brands and textile companies to promote. Therefore I asked for the possibility to enter into the textile working group to have a closed connection with specific SMEs, events, and international sectoral experts. I found that the textile and Fashion SG could be perfect to have a huge combination of what I wished to do! After a couple of years - where I worked hard into the group to bring initiatives, events, and new ideas-  the Chair of that time suggested I apply for the role of Chair, and here I am.

Now it’s the 5th year that I’m working as Chair within the group and we grew so much! I’m very proud of that. We realize many b2bs and webinars for brands, companies interested in creating international collaborations.

In addition to that, In 2016 I found out that, in my city, a private society was trying to put in place the Torino Fashion Week so I contacted them and I proposed them to collaborate with my host organization as we could bring an added value to their event managing a brokerage event addressed to emerging fashion designers and textile companies. So here our connection started!

In the meantime, I worked a lot on many different international fairs on fashion and textile, where I had the chance to meet interesting companies, people, and experts in the fashion industry so my personal network growth a lot. The Torino Fashion week become even more interesting bringing every year so many international brands from all over the world, delegations from many countries (Africa, China, USA, UAE, Europe) and I was so happy to manage and scout fashion brands from all around! 

I’m still in charge of that and in the meantime, I manage the organization of the international brokerage event Torino FashionMatch that is a b2b that we organize every year, during the TFW, that aims to facilitate the creation of international agreements among brands, buyers and retailers from different countries. 

The collaboration with TorinoFashionWeek proved to be a winning project and the collaboration was so fruitful that I decided to collaborate again with them on the realisation of a start-up that will shortly launch a social platform to connect companies, from the fashion sector, but not only, with commercial partners and that will provide brands with the possibility to sell their products directly online. 

I am very happy to be among the co-founders of this new innovative project, especially because I’m the only woman in the group right now! We are targeting the platform for the Textile, beauty, and nightlife sector, to help these categories to grow and recovery after this huge period of a pandemic. 

I’m happy to be a co-founder of this new reality as I wish to create real value with something that can help companies all around the world.

Has it been an easy industry to get into or have you had many challenges?

I believe that in every sector there are challenges to be overcome. In the end, one thing I think is pretty clear is that if you have an idea, an ambition, and or you want to try to deal with something, you have to dare and try it even if you have so many thoughts around it. 

How long did it take you to be where you are now? What was the biggest obstacle? What are the challenges of being in the industry you are in? 

I‘ve been working there for 10 years now and 6 years now I’ve been following the textile industry. I don't hide that I had to ask to be involved in this specific sector and once I found out what I wanted to follow I tried to step up.

What are your biggest achievements to date?

First, the EEN Award as Best Practice among 17 different Sector Groups where 1000 people and colleagues manage and organize b2bs and activities addressed to SMEs. My group has been awarded Best Practice for the B2B I was managing and it was a very huge award for me as I always managed this big event alone as we have too many projects to follow and it’s not easy that colleagues could find a way to support you.

Then, the huge success that my job is bringing to the Format Torino Fashion Week as the b2b pushed the visibility of the format. Indeed, personally, the fact that people starting inviting me to talk about my job and involvement in the fashion sector as a business advisor for fashion brands. Last but not least, some colleagues of my group are telling me that they see me as an inspiration and they are proud to work with me! this is so amazing!

What are the projects you are currently working on?

TFW new edition, b2b 2021, new webinars, and the collaboration within the start-up 

Is the #WomenInTech movement important to you and if yes, why? 

Absolutely yes! We should all be more WomenIntech! If I had more time I wished to approach even more the technology and innovative issues, talking with international experts taking inspiration from them. For example, I would like to see also in my city  the creation of more Innovative Hubs just for women where to find mentoring, funders support, and the possibility to examine in-depth issues to develop entrepreneurial capacities and innovative skills 

What will be the key trends in your industry in the next five years and where do you see them heading?

In the Fashion industry, I see even more the use of AI and the Digitalization of the supply chain. The digitalization of SMEs would be a must to be prepared for any new huge situation or economic emergency. Indeed a deep focus on Sustainability everywhere. Fashion Designers may have understood that it’s better to produce less but with high quality (the concept of durability and recycling). Indeed the use of digital events will be a must for Fashion shows. 

What is the most important piece of advice you could give to anyone who wants to start a career in this industry?

Being a business advisor in the fashion industry means also read man things related to innovation, new trends in the sector, and of course being informed on the international assets and rules for SMEs. Last but not least, come back again visiting fairs and shows all around and create real physical meetings!

Who are three inspirational women in your respective industry you admire?

I admire all the Entrepreneurial women that have the power and the possibility to change their life starting at a certain point with a new different project and an innovative idea. This is the power of being a successful entrepreneur, even better if it’s a woman.

Connect with Federica on her LinkedIn!

This interview was conducted by Marija Butkovic, Digital Marketing and PR strategist, founder, and CEO of Women of Wearables. She regularly writes and speaks on topics of wearable tech, fashion tech, IoT, entrepreneurship, and diversity. Follow Marija on Twitter @MarijaButkovic and read her stories for Forbes here.