We are used to hearing about this as an Italian problem. But even in France, there are people who cannot find skilled workers. This is the case of JM Weston, which is unable to replace staff who are retiring. This is happening at the shoe factory in Limoges, Haute-Vienne, where the company employs 140 people. But the problem […]
Obuv and Futurmoda provide some insights into the accessories marketplace. The Russian fair, which closed October 22nd, brought good results to the footwear and leather goods segments of Italy, even though Moscow will be in lockdown from October 28th. The Spanish show, meanwhile, testifies the liveliness of the Spanish footwear segment. Gallery Shoes transformed itself...
“Bags with a conscience”. This is how Sicilian designer Gianna Caravello (pictured, in the centre) describes her creations. What material does she use? Obviously, Italian leather, mostly vegetable-tanned in Tuscany, where the handcrafted production also takes place. The result is the Modher’s collections, brand founded in 2019 in San Francisco, with a precise aim: to...
The history, tradition and art of Chinese embroidery with Italian leather and craftsmanship. This is the mix of Sheme, which describes itself as “the leading luxury footwear brand for women in China”. It was founded in 1998 by Qiongying (Linda) Liu, who currently lives in Germany and is still its creative director. The factory is […]
Asia gives and Asia takes. Gucci knows it well, as in the third quarter the brand performed below expectations: it grew 3.8% on comparable basis on 2020, compared to the +9.3% forecasted by Bloomberg’s analysts Bottega Veneta and YSL respectively grew by 8.9% and 28.1%. These two brands were the main force behind Kering’s performance, which even...
The significance of made in Italy for Michael Kors. “As a designer, it stands for everything I have dreamed possible, and it will always be made perfectly, with attention to details and quality”. The American designer talks about his love story with Italy, which “lasts and will last my entire life”. A love statement that...
The starting point is A New Point of Materials, a project that Lineapelle launched during its latest edition (Fieramilano Rho, 22/24 September 2021). A successful experience that made it possible to present “new-generation leathers, materials and technologies through the story of their entire production process” and in the light of their most factual green substance. […]
There is a difference between sustainability and greenwashing. Michael Burke, CEO of Louis Vuitton knows it well: “Luxury must go beyond the simple statements made by PR departments – he says to WWD -: it must strive to further necessary efforts, even if they are long-lasting and challenging”. The manager also points out clearly that […]
Selambq, the Spanish entrefino study project conducted by tanneries from Spain, Italy and France, has reached its first conclusions. With a holistic approach that involved the entire Iberian chain, including breeders (Interovic) and slaughterhouses (Anafric), Selambq investigated with a scientific and data driven method the issues concerning the quality of hides and leathers, and their […]
The 10 students of Polimoda‘s Master in Bag Design present their end-of-course prototypes in collaboration with Tod’s. Meaning: “Italian luxury leather bags” (as Polimoda writes online) that the students designed during the course that began last January. The bags were physically made in Polimoda’s Scandicci Design Lab using various types of leather, in a range...
Clean energy only for Dani. The Vicenza-based tanning group underwrote a new type of agreement with Gruppo Dolomiti Energia and Finint Investments to “receive clean and certified energy directly from the supplier”. The deal is the first of its kind in Italy due to the direct link between producer of clean energy and industrial manufacturer. Finint will generate […]
At the moment the project is still in experimental phase. But Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is testing the use of blockchain to trace leather and guaranteeing transparency of the consumers’ chain. This is how the carmaker answers the marketplace, which asks the entire industry to improve environmental performances. And, in a way, also to Volvo, which […]
Every so often, in the press review, you come across pieces on no-leather fashion. That is, articles that talk about the need for fashion to stop using materials of animal origin. Or in interviews glorifying designers and brands that have decided to do so. The last two we caught were published by La Repubblica and […]
“Think about real sustainability, what is truly sustainable”. The invite was sent by those that aim at stimulating the conversation, because it involves important characters in the leather industry and other government figures. The manifesto is being written by International Council of Tanners (ICT), Leather and Hide Council of America (LHCA) and Leather Naturally, speaking to the leaders participating […]
Never, in the last 20 years, have shoe prices risen so fast. The alarm comes from the USA, by FDRA (Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America). Since the beginning of the year, prices have risen by an average of 3.2%, but in recent months, the increases have been more marked. This would be the consequence […]
Capucines (right, in the photo) and Caro. Fendi First (left, in the photo) and Triomphe. Goya and Amazona. These are the names of the most successful bags and leather goods lines from Louis Vuitton, Dior, Fendi, Celine and Loewe. In other words, LVMH’s top brands, which the French armoury cites as the “sales champions” of yet another astonishing fiscal quarter. Astonishing […]
Vogue Business’ article regarding Hermès’ investments seems almost non-believable. Because in the reportage done inside Maroquinerie de Guyenne, a recently opened leather goods manufacturer employing about 300 people (the 19th opened by the brand in France), included a question: “So the brand isn’t abandoning leather?”. What direction is the market moving towards? The logical premise...
Protecting the brand’s exclusivity. Limiting the second-hand market. This is the objective declared by Chanel, which has decided to limit the purchases of two specific handbag models and small leather goods. This is just the latest of the steps that the brand that doesn’t sell online, has implemented to fight the “second-hand market”. The brand...
Fosun Fashion Group, owner among others, of Sergio Rossi, sheds its skin. Simply put, it will now be called Lanvin Group, with new investors that gave the group a valuation of 1 billion USD. The operation coincides with an addition of 300 million USD in liquidity for future acquisitions, as well as a new development […]
Alexander McQueen wants to achieve a billion in sales. And they know how to do it. “We want to expand the range of footwear, menswear and leather accessories”, explains CEO Emmanuel Gintzburger. Increasing retail revenues is part of the strategy. In 2014, the brand, which is part of Kering’s portfolio, had a turnover of 250...
