The major brands are present – the few that are thriving in such challenging times. And the other big names are there too, navigating a tumultuous landscape. Then there are the independents who, admittedly, will not single-handedly determine the sector’s fate, but their presence is still valuable. In short, within the pavilions of the 105th edition of Lineapelle, the public is there – the turnstiles at the entrance and the exhibitors’ impressions confirm it. Whether attendance at the show, now in its second of three days on 26 February, has the potential to translate into a market recovery, only time will tell.
At Lineapelle 105, the public is there
“We are very happy because all the brands we already know have come”, say representatives from Conceria Stefania’s booth. “They are looking for more than just suppliers; they want partners in the tannery sector to help develop projects together”. “Perhaps the boom of 2022/23 is unrepeatable”, comments Rolando Pagni of Conceria Pagni. “Our sector needs greater stability, especially in areas like geopolitics, over which we have no control. The hope is that the designer labels’ warehouses will finally empty, and perhaps we will leave Lineapelle with the sense that this is starting to happen”.
“Last year was tough. I see 2025 as challenging, but we can recover”, explains Andrea Lighezzolo, CEO of Veneta Italiana Pelle. “The entire fashion industry has been blacklisted by banks and insurance companies, which poses a serious risk to recovery. We manufacture for the automotive, leather goods, and footwear industries, including nubuck. My clients require products that are always perceived as high-quality, and with a well-structured basic line, you can certainly achieve real, substantial volumes”.
The articles
“Lineapelle is a crucial event because it is the only platform that allows us to showcase our full range across various sectors”, says Matteo Marzotto, president of MinervaHub. “It is an opportunity to express our potential and demonstrate what it means to be part of an industrial group”. Speaking of potential, Conceria Sciarada is pleased with the success of its crust leather. “We are making strong progress with this material. Normally, fabrics are preferred for summer, so we were surprised by how well our collection has performed this season. It gives us a real boost of optimism”. Meanwhile, Antonio De Michele, chairman of the board at Dean, hopes to see leather valued for its natural beauty. “It should be processed in a way that enhances its qualities rather than being covered excessively or unappealingly”.
The bittersweet experience of Incas
An unpleasant surprise greeted Incas tannery on the second day of the fair: around twenty hides were stolen from their booth in Hall 13. “What leaves us most disheartened is that the articles most in demand on the first day of the event have disappeared”, says Piero Rosati, one of the owners and vice-president of UNIC – Italian Tanneries. “Yesterday, our booth was packed with visitors, and we were thrilled with the interest shown in our products. However, when we arrived this morning, we discovered that around twenty baby calfskins, in various colours and finishes, were missing. We fear it was a theft to order”.
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