The industry of leather and materials for fashion joins Lineapelle 97th edition, while dealing with several inputs. On the one hand, the market is facing a complicated economic situation, owing to a number of factors, inside the fashion industry, and other external elements as well (for example, among others, trade wars currently underway). On the other hand, they rely on the awareness that encouraging demand is feasible, thanks to a few specific prompts, such as innovation and sustainability, and trust. “If we were no more confident, we would not take part in the fair any more – say smilingly Simona and Viviana Crotti, Conceria di Urgnano. Despite a difficult scenario, we are still confident about our product supply and our investments in research”.
Signals
“Even before summer, business enjoyed a positive revamp – points out Laura Balducci, from Conceria Antiba –, while in September fashion items have to seek style inputs and tips coming from fashion shows. On Lineapelle kick-off, attendance is very good: visitors and buyers prove to be rather interested in our varnishes, which are starting again, and super natural goats”. “The exhibition is a fashion show – remarks Simone Castellani, from Conceria Sciarada –. Many people turn up, crawl across the halls, speak and meet up. That is an opportunity to meet, share points of view and create new stimulating hints: here we present and show our best, while considering our customers’ demand and recommendations”.
Expectations
“We wish we would meet our clients, and get to know some new as well – says Teresa Sari, from Martucci tannery –, coming, most of all, from fashion new stages. New brands are emerging in South America, as well as in California and Texas, which still are not that renowned, yet they are very interesting potential business partners”. Likewise, at the Conceria Settebello stand they have positive expectations: “We are paying close attention to the topical issue, sustainability, in line with global focusing on the subject – points out Marco Brogi, owner of the tannery –. We have been striving for that for over 15 years, by using renewable energy, certifications and less polluting products”.
Sustainable accessories
Sustainability is an element of paramount importance: Lineapelle’s fabrics and accessories segment opens its stands while focusing close attention on manufacturing processes and finished products, which must be environmentally friendly. “Such commitment has been traditionally our distinguishing feature, remark from Manifattura di Domodossola, which presents new recycled polyesters and also made their own logo by using plastic recycled from bottles. Likewise, Ramponi, a leading company in the manufacturing of fashion accessories (studs, stones, thermo adhesive rhinestones), is actively involved in process and product innovation: “Such processes imply some costs: we are still working on them since they take time, yet they are necessary. Such is the demand. The fair will be expectedly lively: stones are coming back and studs (strictly nickel free) are changing; on top of that, embroidery is driving a remarkable trend”. Davos soles factory present a showcase to highlight the valuable cycle of the company, “which has been traditionally recycling the whole rubber, including scraps, they use to make Thunit. Our modus operandi is still the same, but we must explain it better: consumers ask and want to get information about it”.
