Activities, requests, trends, heads up. Lineapelle97 (on the agenda at Fieramilano Rho, on October 2-4) first day proved to be rather hectic, while day two is analytical. “We worked hard, and several visitors turned up”, emphasizes Alberto Caneva, managing director of Faeda tannery, based in Montorso Vicentino. “We are happy, most of all, about visitors’ quality – remarks Carlo Di Lorenzo, sales manager at Del Vecchio Leather Diffusion –. International brands finished their work for fashion weeks: they are now ready to take new prompts and hints coming from suppliers”.
What a traffic jam around stands
While listening to some exhibitors, Asian buyers have been decreasing apparently. Yet, since the fair event hangs on individual standpoints and impressions, we may come across discrepant opinions: “Even though in China they are on holiday, for a week, we met many buyers coming from China – report some representatives of a Tuscan leather factory –. We came across fewer US visitors though. Lineapelle is the most important leather fair in the world”.
Products supply
“Market instability urges suppliers to make and exhibit new products, therefore diversifying their range. Such modus operandi is not sustainable though, as it turns consumerist in the end”. Paolo Ciccarelli, president of Schmid, strives to tackle the exhibition topical issue, product sustainability, beyond slogans and platitudes. “In our opinion, being sustainable goes hand in hand with presenting fully recyclable articles. What about the fair? Lineapelle, he replies, gives a rewarding opportunity to meet people and share ideas: everybody knows, at this point, that exhibitions no longer have just a selling purpose”.
Light soles and stunning accessories
Vibram, leader in the manufacturing of rubber soles, tell about a very lively trend at the fair: “We have met many customers, coming from Italy and international countries, most interested in our innovative solutions (light weight soles, less than one centimetre thick) and well determined about what they were looking for”. Fibel (leather goods and footwear accessories) celebrate “the revival of belts and important accessories, including extra-large buckles”; MetalP (metal buckles design and fashion accessories) consider Lineapelle to be an outstanding showcase “to find some partners and set a more and more customised activity”. Likewise Alemplast, supplier of bottoms in EVA, TPU and PVC: here demand is for top lightness and pattern.
