by Vanessa Friedman

Italy has designs — literally — on America. In what is the clearest statement yet that European fashion now sees the United States as potentially the most lucrative market of the future, the Italian deputy minister for economic development, Carlo Calenda, was at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan on Monday to unveil what he called a "special fashion plan" — and the 20 million euros, or about $21.7 million, Italy is investing in the initiative.

Sounds exciting, doesn't it? Consisting of collaborations with major (but as yet unnamed) retailers to promote new designers and the "Made in Italy" label; a focus on trade fairs such as Lineapelle, the Italian leather showcase, and Coterie, the New York women's wear and accessories event; new attempts to lure tourists and buyers to Italy (not to mention tourists who are buyers); and lots of new media initiatives, the plan is still a little vague.

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Source: http://www.nytimes.com/