A wave of counterfeit, but sophisticated Lady Dior handbags flooded the luxury second-hand market between 2023 and 2025, fooling even major authentication platforms. This phenomenon, uncovered by a group of collectors and chronicled in an investigation by Glitz.Paris, involves more than 150 exotic leather bags sold in France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, […]
Soldini’s first eighty years: postwar struggles and sacrifices, foresight, growth and then success. Born in 1945 from a small basement workshop, Calzaturificio Fratelli Soldini in Capolona (Arezzo) turned eighty and celebrated it with a big event at the company. An all-Italian story that was honored by the presence of the Minister of Business and Made...
The dialogue on the EUDR, which has required so much energy and mediation efforts without a satisfactory solution for Italian tanning, is far from closed. Because Brussels is playing out future challenges of the EUDR, which is agreeable in its goals of combating deforestation, but not in the way it involves bovine hides. “This is […]
Preliminary data from the Italian tanning industry and the results of European and non-European supply chains had already hinted at it: it was a difficult 2024 for leather. The Economic Results of the Italian Tanning Industry, processed by UNIC – Italian Tanneries, confirm the complexity of the period. In 2024, Italian production volume dropped by […]
“Seventy-five years of dreams, passion and dedication within the big Dani family”. With this message of unity and gratitude, Giancarlo Dani, CEO of the Venetian tanning group that bears his name, marked the company’s 75th anniversary. The event was held a few days ago at Villa Curti in Sovizzo (Vicenza). A long history of commitment...
British luxury leather goods brand Smythson has been acquired by Oakley Capital, following its sale by the Tivoli group to the private equity firm. Meanwhile, Furla has reached an agreement with its financial creditors, marking a major step forward in resolving the business crisis it entered in 2024. In other news, activist fund Parvus Asset...
“Leather plays a central role for Sebago. It’s the beginning of everything”. The creative director of the brand Marco Tamponi, founded Sebago in the USA (in Maine) in 1946. He told us about the value of leather for the brand, and how important the relationship with tanneries is. So relevant, in fact, that it has...
Running a business in a country at war. Vitalie Burlacu (pictured), manager of Ukrainian footwear manufacturer Belsta, shares his experience. “Despite the difficulties caused by the Russian invasion, Belsta continues to operate as normal. We remain a leading brand on the Ukrainian market and are actively expanding our exports. In 2025, our goal is to...
Research, experimentation, and material innovation were at the heart of the end-of-year event at Istituto Modartech in Pontedera (Pisa), held on 25–26 June 2025. The event celebrated the emerging talents stepping into the fashion world. A Creative Exhibition, set up within the institute’s premises, showcased students’ design visions. The occasion also saw the presentation of […]
An important occasion. A goal achieved. Lineapelle returns to Paris, presenting not only the creative evolution of leathers and materials but also its broader commercial and cultural vision. Centre stage: the upcoming edition at Fiera Milano Rho from 23 to 25 September, with all its new content. Lineapelle presents itself in Paris The French leg […]
Finoacinque is a Korean brand with a strong connection to Italy. Founded in 2019 by designer Angela Lee and footwear technician Zuun Kim, the label uses Italian leather to craft shoes destined above all for the Italian market — its main foreign audience. We met Angela Lee (pictured) at her booth at Pitti Uomo in...
Investing during a time of crisis is (almost) “a necessary choice”. So says Conceria Zabri (based in Fucecchio), explaining its recent installation of a photovoltaic system that now covers 30% of its energy needs (the remainder is purchased from certified renewable sources). “We’re facing a very particular economic climate”, explains Consuelo Brillanti, one of the...
Glitz.Paris, a timely and provocative French fashion publication, insinuates doubt: in light of Chanel’s balance sheet numbers, it claims Nevold is only useful to empty warehouses. The French fashion label, however, strikes back blow by blow from the columns of the same publication: unsold values are not so problematic, adding that the B2B deadstock sales...
For the first time in its 119-year history, Montblanc has made its debut in clothing. The collection — consisting of 16 all-leather looks designed by creative director Marco Tomasetta — was unveiled during Milan Men’s Fashion Week in June 2025. Montblanc enters the world of fashion This inaugural collection offers a functional yet sophisticated vision […]
Even in Japan, the supply chain is in crisis. Low-cost products from China are posing a threat to Japanese manufacturers as well. The supply chain is losing key components and struggling with generational turnover. Geopolitical tensions are being felt in Tokyo too. Here is the account of Yuzo Shiokawa, manager of the bag brand Etiam,...
Chaos over Greenwashing in Brussels. On June 20, Brussels had made a surprise announcement that it was withdrawing the proposal focused on greenwashing, included in the broader Green Claims Directive. That’s because it would have also involved SMEs. Also in the background is the tariff game, with Europe seeking an agreement with the US. A […]
“We’d love to work more with the Italian market, but it’s difficult”. That was a recurring sentiment heard across the booths of Pitti Uomo 108 (17–20 June 2025). The phrase came from many Italian brands that place much of their value on Made in Italy production, accepting higher costs and stricter limitations in the name...
Is the manufacturing chain in trouble? “Yes, and we need to examine our conscience. Companies that produce for only one client, with no margins….” Antonio De Matteis, CEO of Kiton (in photo) and president of Pitti Immagine, grooms entrepreneurs. “We always blame others and we always create an alibi. We need to analyze businesses and...
“The supply chain needs to be streamlined in order to reduce costs”. So says Marco Palmieri (pictured), CEO of Piquadro, in an interview with La Conceria. Palmieri also expresses concern over the lack of generational turnover within manufacturing companies and calls for government intervention to help improve the situation. The supply chain needs streamlining “I...
While shoe factories are trudging along, between layoffs and low orders, the Seishou brand has just opened a site in Tuscany, in the San Miniato area. The need of the brand is to have full control of production, but the news runs opposite to the general trend in Italian manufacturing. The brand, born five years...
