To train new tanning professionals able to face the challenges of sustainability. This is the aim of the inter-university master’s degree LEATECH (Innovative Technologies for Leather) supported by COTANCE. The project is led by the A3 Leather Innovation Centre – UdL of the Igualada Campus (Spain) which is joined by ITECH University (France), EGE University […]
It was February 2021 when Oliver Heilmer, Mini‘s head of design, announced in the columns of Autocar a leather-free future for his brand. Heilmer’s words, as one might expect, caused some astonishment and debate. Because the manager associated the decision to abandon leather with its (entirely alleged) “non-sustainability”. And even ICT, the body representing the […]
After a number of tanning entities published their results, it’s time for a recap. Let’s start with the USA, where the negative trend of the US tanning segment continues. After the early data from January and February 2023, the Leather and Hide Council of America once again discusses exports of raw bovine hides and semi-finished...
Join the dots. That is: connect the dots. One in particular. Yellow, like the light and like the stylistic vision of Lineapelle, which has returned to South Korea to promote its creative impact. It did so by organising a series of meetings in which it put the quality of Italian leather on the table (literally...
Eight industrial buildings, 44,000 square meters, 100 million euro invested, 226 employees, 4.5 million products shipped. These are the numbers of Prada’s new distribution center in Levanella, near Montevarchi. The site is now at full regime, and beside from distribution operations, it hosts quality control over all products of the Prada group. The luxury brand,...
Florence Group will invest 20 million euros. Approximately half will be used for the expansion of operational facilities. Another 4 million will be invested in modernising the technological infrastructure. 5 million will be used for production and logistics, in order to improve the service offered. In parallel with the increase in production and space, 200...
Style Capital puts Zimmermann on the market. If the purpose of a fund is to accompany companies in their growth, exploding their potential, and then reselling them at a higher price, the Italian partnership with the Australian group has achieved its objective. Style Capital joined Zimmermann in 2020, when the group had a turnover of...
“We are closing two departments, but we are strengthening others”. The management of the Moreschi shoe factory in Vigevano explains to La Conceria why it has been decided to stop the leather goods (“marginal”) and hemming (“inefficient”) departments. And they point out that two years ago the planned staff cuts were 50 people and, in...
OTB buys leather goods maker Frassineti. The Tuscan company, strategic supplier of Jil Sander, was previously owned by Gruppo Him Co. It’s the last acquisition of the luxury group, which is focusing on strengthening its supply chain. Frassineti has about 70 employs and manufactures 70,000 handbags a year. OTB took over the majority of shares, […]
No people willing to work in leather goods? Gab has received 600 applications for its announcement that it wants to recruit 200 new people between 2023 and 2024. It is now starting the first skimming process in order to place the first 15 people by June. Then, another 15 will arrive every 60-80 days to...
On the same site where men worked leather over 13,000 years ago, Hermès now produces leather. “It is curious to see that this place continues to host similar activities”, commented Sylvain Mazet, archaeologist at INRAP. The National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research has just published the results of archaeological research carried out before the construction...
“My craft workshop is a spaceship on which you can fly through the space of creativity”. This is Stefano Parrini speaking. One of the best-known leather masters in Tuscany, with more than 40 years’ experience in experimenting with the different possibilities of processing leather. The magic of leather In his workshop in Vicchio, Mugello valley...
Product, design and client care. Australian A-esque is a leather goods manufacturer founded in 2012 by Amanda Rettig in Melbourne. This is a sign of independency in a market dominated by large labels. “When we started, we were going against the current compared to international brands – says Rettig to WA Today -. But I...
No more “vegan leather”, “cruelty-free leather”, “plant-based leather” or any other label that manufacturers can use to produce (plastic) materials acting as alternatives to (natural) leather. LHCA, the association that represents US leather traders, responded to the appeal of the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The government agency, which is charged with protecting consumers against fraudulent...
The handbag market is expanding. It is such an accepted premise that now it is the numerical evaluations that are making the news. According to the consultancy firm Technavio, the latest to venture into the exercise, between 2022 and 2027 the turnover of the leather goods industry will increase by more than 14 billion dollars....
Estée Lauder has launched Tom Ford’s new course. Peter Hawkings, right hand of the previous designer for 25 years, will be the new creative director of the brand. Guillaume Jesel will be CEO. Zegna will produce the men and women collections of the brand and will nominate a new director of the fashion division in July. The […]
Online sales are the only way to keep small leather goods brands afloat. Mariaelena Mallone, 48, architect, is sure about this. In 2010, she founded the luxury leather handbag brand Mialuis in Turin. Since it was founded, the brand has focused on gender culture and equal opportunities. And to materials that are not leather it...
Save the date: Milan, from 9 to 21 May, in the spaces of the ADI Design Museum. The reason for this save the date should be highlighted in red: on those days it will be possible to visit the exhibition The Beauty of the Italian Tanning Industry (Heritage, Science And Design). The exhibition promoted by […]
Nobody is going to get offended if we say that Caleres is ignoring the issue. But in the way the US group communicates its “sustainable reform”, speaking of materials and the 27% reduction in the use of leather, something isn’t right. If these are the premises, we prefer Reformation’s approach. The latter stated, while presenting...
Once again, acquisitions prove to be a cross-sectional dynamic in every segment of the supply chain, both upstream and downstream. The tanning technology sector also fits right into this trend. The latest case is that of Gemata (a leading supplier of industrial machinery for leather finishing), which has completed its acquisition of a majority stake […]
