Let’s begin at the end, with a phrase by Daniele Amato — designer, founder of the Amato Daniele brand, and heir to his family’s leather-goods tradition under the Leu Locati label. He spoke these words yesterday morning in Milan, at Spazio Lineapelle, during the launch of the eighth edition of the Lineapelle Designers Edition, scheduled for 23–29 September. “Working with leather is both a challenge and a source of satisfaction. Satisfaction for us, and for the customer, when you can convey the idea that by choosing a leather product, they are choosing something that truly lasts. The challenge lies in communicating that value”. Words that encapsulate the spark which inspired Lineapelle and UNIC – Italian Tanneries to create the Lineapelle Designers Edition, and the reason why the next edition is raising the stakes. Its aim remains unchanged: to give space to young, independent creativity. Always. Constantly. In the name of leather.
In the name of leather
The new edition of Lineapelle Designers Edition brings with it some key innovations. First of all, the location. The nine catwalk shows will move out of Lineapelle and Fiera Milano Rho, and instead (on 25, 26 and 27 September) will take place in a specially erected pavillion in central Milan, in Piazza Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa. Meaning, right in front of Spazio Lineapelle, where from 23 to 29 September eight accessory brands will also showcase their collections. A major new development.
Catwalks and presentations
“The brands presenting their Spring/Summer 2026 collections”, reads the official note, “will be: 1972 DESA, AGG Anton Giulio Grande, Alberto Zambelli, Chronos Corps, LEONARDOVALENTINI | Leather Recycling Lab, Lorenzo Seghezzi, Maragno, Marco Rambaldi, and Mastewal. The accessories presentations will feature: Absent Findings, Amato Daniele, Biagini, Dienèe, DOYS, Dúběn, PabePabe, and TVL | TheVerticaline”.
A story with deep roots
Lineapelle’s connection with the future of style goes back a long way, as Fulvia Bacchi, CEO of the trade fair, reminded the audience. “We’ve been doing this since 1984, when we launched the Young Designers Competition. Today, Lineapelle Designers Edition has reached its eighth edition, becoming a point of reference for all young creatives working with Italian leather”. This promotional commitment operates on several levels, but it also has deep educational roots.
“Over the past year”, Bacchi continued, “we’ve run on average around 270 training courses, involving more than 7,000 participants: students from fashion schools (over 75 in Italy and more than 30 abroad), as well as corporate managers. We have this habit of doing everything we can to promote Italian leather”. For instance: “We are opening a leather library in South Korea. We’re taking part in Adopt a School, a Fondazione Altagamma initiative. We’re active partners in the Mittelmoda competition. We collaborate with primary and secondary schools. And we’ve established many other important partnerships, such as with CNMI Fashion Trust”.
Beyond “simple” support
On the subject of CNMI Fashion Trust, project representative Umberta Gnutti Beretta explained: “The Fashion Trust is achieving its goals also thanks to collaborations with organisations such as Lineapelle, whose work is vital in raising awareness of leather and helping young creatives discover this material and overcome their lack of familiarity with it”. In this sense, “Lineapelle’s contribution has gone beyond simply being a supporter, with initiatives like Lineapelle Designers Edition offering active support to young independent designers”. That confirmation comes from one of the designers involved, Marco Rambaldi: “I think the work between the Fashion Trust and Lineapelle allows us to speak of a system with a tangible vision for the future. For independent designers like us, that is essential, because too often we feel abandoned, left to fend for ourselves”.
Photo: Lineapelle
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