There were no long faces on Thursday at the Metropolitan Pavilion as Lineapelle New York concluded its two-day event dedicated to the Autumn/Winter 2027/28 season. Given the current geopolitical tensions, ongoing conflicts and trade uncertainties, that is, in itself, reassuring news. Expectations among exhibitors arriving in Manhattan had inevitably been kept to a minimum. Against this backdrop, taking part in an edition of Lineapelle New York that once again confirmed its standing as a must-attend event for the US market sends a highly encouraging signal, both in terms of resilience and strategic vision. The market itself, however, remains largely unchanged: cautious, often unsettled and reluctant to embark on ambitious new projects.
Lineapelle New York reinforces its position
Alexander Wang‘s arrival shortly after the opening of the first day (Wednesday 15 July) was merely the first in a succession of leading buyers who, according to exhibitors — including those attending for the first time — visited the fair. Representatives from Coach, Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, Steve Madden, Tory Burch and Tiffany were all in attendance. Alongside these major names, a highly product-focused audience of medium-sized brands and start-ups confirmed another encouraging trend: this year’s edition attracted fewer visitors simply exploring the market and a greater number of knowledgeable, purposeful buyers. It is further evidence that Lineapelle New York has firmly established its position, strengthening its reputation beyond the current economic and geopolitical uncertainties.
The mood at the fair
That said, conversations on the exhibition booths inevitably reflected the difficult market environment. Several exhibitors observed that customers appeared generally hesitant to invest in new developments. Discussions centred primarily on existing collections, with efforts focused on adapting the creative inspiration for the Autumn/Winter 2027/28 season — presented by Lineapelle under the theme Prompt, as we previously reported — to a market that remains exceptionally static. At the same time, exhibitors noted an increasingly pronounced market polarisation, the medium-term implications of which have yet to become clear.
Positive feedback from the leather goods sector
The small yet significant group of leather goods manufacturers exhibiting at the fair also reported positive feedback, further confirming Lineapelle New York’s established position within the US market. Exhibiting under the Promo Firenze collective were Tivoli Group, Sapaf and Claudia Firenze.
Resilience and vision
Following London on 30 June and now New York, Lineapelle is turning its attention beyond the summer break to the 108th edition of Lineapelle Milan, scheduled to take place from 15 to 17 September at Fiera Milano Rho. There, the resilience and strategic vision demonstrated during these international preview events will have the opportunity to evolve into concrete strategies and long-term perspectives — exactly what the leather and fashion supply chain needs at a time like this.
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