U.S. retailers at MICAM could see shoes plus rtw.

MILAN (FNS) -- American retailers attending the semiannual MICAM fair had a chance this year to see not only shoes but the Italian Pret-A-Porter collection as well, as both events coincided for the first time in several seasons.

"It gives the shoe people a chance to talk with the ready-to-wear firms," said Ray Rudansky, a wholesaler with Buckray, Inc., which represents Diego Della Valle and other Italian companies in the U.S. "There's the possibility to get a fashion overview this year, to get a sense of direction, and that's the main thing."

Most American retailers attending the fair agreed, although few could make extensive forays given the more than 1,400 footwear exhibitors and over 400 firms exhibiting at Modit …