Italian exhibitors at VicenzaOro I, the year's first major international trade fair, were optimistic about the outlook for 1995.
Their business had been hesitant as Italy struggles with recession and an unstable political environment. But the recovery that drove U.S. jewelry shows last year now appears to be helping Vicenza. Average 5% sales increases among U.S. retail jewelers this past Christmas helped them to feel confident and ready to buy at the Vicenza fair, held Jan. 15-22. Show officials reported the number of American visitors increased 30% to 658, and exhibitors such as Denis Ghirardello of Chiampesan reported seeing many American clients, both old and new. "I can't say how much sales will be, but I've seen good faces, real buyers, and lots of Americans."
Though the Italians were enthusiastic about their American clients, the Americans were not as enthusiastic about design