Lineapelle Unveils Future of Leather with Global Talent and Sustainability Focus

Lineapelle is preparing to host its 106th edition from September 23 to 25 at the Fiera Milano Rho exhibition spaces. This significant event will bring together 1,150 exhibitors representing 37 countries, showcasing the latest innovations and trends in the leather industry. Running concurrently, the eighth edition of Lineapelle’s acclaimed Designers Edition project will unfold in Milan, a testament to the show's commitment to promoting the exceptional quality and image of Italian leather through the creative visions of international designers.

From September 23 to 29, aligning with Women's Fashion Week, the Designers Edition will actively support 17 emerging designers and brands. This year, a notable change sees the fashion shows relocating from the Rho exhibition center to the vibrant heart of Milan, specifically Piazza Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, adjacent to Spazio Lineapelle. Nine distinctive fashion shows will take place within a specially designed tensile-structure greenhouse, aptly named the "Leather Fashion Hub," featuring collections from 1972 Desa, Agg Anton Giulio Grande, Alberto Zambelli, Chronos Corps, Leonardovalentini | Laboratorio Riciclo Pelle, Lorenzo Seghezzi, Maragno, Marco Rambaldi, and Mastewal. Additionally, Spazio Lineapelle will host presentations by Absent Findings, Amato Daniele, Biagini, Dienèe, DOYS, Dúběn, PabePabe, and TVL | TheVerticaline, offering a diverse showcase of leather craftsmanship and design.

Fulvia Bacchi, Lineapelle CEO and general manager of UNIC - Italian Tanneries, underscored the profound importance of nurturing new talent. "It is very important for us to support young creatives. We have been doing this since 1984, and in a more structured manner since 2020, with the opening of our dedicated space and the "About Leather" exhibition," Bacchi explained. Since its inception, the Designers Edition project has successfully hosted over 50 fashion shows and presentations, drawing more than 9,000 guests. Lineapelle’s dedication to young Italian designers extends globally, with events consistently held in fashion capitals such as London, New York, Tokyo, and China.

Beyond creative showcases, Lineapelle is deeply invested in industry education and professional development. Bacchi further highlighted the extensive leather training courses offered to both students and industry professionals. Between 2024 and 2025 alone, 270 courses were conducted, engaging over 7,000 participants. The organization collaborates with 75 institutes across Italy and 30 internationally, with agreements currently being forged with several universities in Japan and Korea. This global educational outreach is set to expand further with the upcoming opening of a Lineapelle Space in Korea, envisioned as a unique 'materials library' for students.

Strategic partnerships form another pillar of Lineapelle’s support framework. UNIC - Italian Tanneries and Lineapelle actively collaborate with various esteemed organizations, including the Camera Moda Fashion Trust. Umberta Gnutti Beretta, co-founder and co-CEO of the Fashion Trust, speaking at the conference, detailed this synergistic relationship: "In addition to an annual donation, Lineapelle has decided to support the young people followed by the Fashion Trust also with training courses, providing them with the materials to work on and helping them economically in producing their creations." This collaboration is driven by a shared conviction that "young people are truly the engine and hope of the industry."

Further reinforcing its commitment to education and innovation, Lineapelle has established the LP Fashion Studio at its headquarters located at Via Brisa 3 in Milan. This dynamic space continuously welcomes hundreds of students, both Italian and international, facilitating lessons and visits for academies, fashion schools, professional training institutes, and both domestic and foreign delegations. The LP Fashion Studio serves as an unparalleled global resource for designers and researchers in the leather sector, offering an extensive collection of 20,000 samples encompassing leathers and accessories, providing an invaluable overview of past and future trends.

Concluding her remarks, Bacchi emphasized a crucial message: the inherent sustainability of leather. "A key message we want to convey with all these initiatives is that leather, unlike what the uninitiated think, is a sustainable material, as it is derived from slaughterhouse waste that would otherwise have to be disposed of. It is also sustainable because it lasts a long time," she stated. Italian tanneries are globally recognized for the superior excellence of their products, meeting all stringent circularity and sustainability requirements demanded by leading designer labels. This reputation is so strong that major brands are actively acquiring Italian tanneries to secure the highest quality output. Italy proudly accounts for 70 percent of Europe's leather production and a quarter of the world's total. Through promoting the creation of leather clothing and accessories, Lineapelle not only champions the industry but also vigorously promotes "Made in Italy" and contributes significantly to the nation's economy.