From the most classic, smooth and single-coloured leathers to those presenting the most extreme processing. Visitors requests to exhibitors at Lineapelle 97 (which closed last Friday at Fieramilano Rho) tell of an attraction of opposite poles. On the one hand, naturalness is sought. On the other hand, tanneries are required to demonstrate they know how to do everything, for example to create “special effects” on materials. Therefore, room to imagination and virtuosity, to the search for innovation and uniqueness.
Special effects and more
Snake prints with pixels. Flashes of fluorescent colour on dark crocodile leather. Marble effect on reptile print, gold and silver with colour drops. But also precious Swarovski inserts that follow the lines of the python scales. “The request is divided in half,” says Conceria Samanta. “50% is looking for classic leathers. 50% is looking for special effects”. “Flocked, velvet effect, with or without glitter, have been very successful. But also basic crusts, classic calves, varnishes and all vegetable tanning”, we are told at Conceria Masini stand.
Tailor made service
The more complex processes serve to give the idea of the potential a company has. More and more often effects and colours are studied and constructed step by step with the customer. Personalisation is always an important aspect, to which customers refer to. “The client wants the certainty of us being able to have a tailor-made service, a project tailor-made for him – explains Laura Balducci of Conceria Antiba -. Especially brands are looking for our willingness to study and personalise”.
Light on
Shimmering and iridescent. Leather that changes its look depending on the movement, but also refractions of light that recall the neon lights of the metropolis. These are the effects that interested the most customers at CarLab stand, a company specialised in processing leather in Montorso Vicentino. “Together with these articles, on which we have done research and experimentation – says owner Enzo Bruttomesso -, warm items communicating safety have also been requested. Ultramodern moves together with basic”. This ambivalence is also confirmed by the world of exotic leathers: “I really liked a silver one with a see-though effect that under the finishing touches reveals the naturalness of leather” – we were told at Conceria Anaconda stand. No one wants to give up that. Leather must show its nature.
