1,029 exhibitors. 38 countries represented. 14 designers and brands. 9 fashion shows and 5 presentations. These, in a nutshell, are the figures Lineapelle (click here to pre-register for your entry to the trade fair, if you have not already done so) presented on Thursday in Milan. The occasion was the 108th edition of the trade fair, scheduled for 15 to 17 September, followed by a week of shows and presentations for the Lineapelle Designers Edition (22–26 September). Now in its tenth edition, the project, together with Lineapelle, was presented this morning at Spazio Lineapelle in Milan. Those attending included Alessandro Iliprandi (Bonaudo Group, President of UNIC – Italian Tanneries and Vice-President of Lineapelle) and Fulvia Bacchi (CEO of Lineapelle and General Manager of UNIC), together with Giorgio and Alessandro Dantone (owners of DAAD Dantone boutique). Alessio Cappello, Milan’s Councillor for Economic Development and Labour Policies, also spoke.
Lineapelle presents itself
First of all, chronologically speaking at least, there is Lineapelle 108. “The trade fair”, says Bacchi, “is the reference point for an international supply chain involving more than 50,000 companies and generating an estimated USD 150 billion in turnover. The figures for this edition demonstrate that it is an unmissable event”. Following last February’s logistical disruption, caused by the presence of several Winter Olympic events at Fiera Milano Rho, Lineapelle has regained its exhibition weight, approaching 1,030 exhibitors from 38 countries and occupying almost 40,000 square metres of net exhibition space. These figures go hand in hand with the event’s content, particularly its fashion education initiatives focusing on leather.
Educating people about leather
“This activity has become fundamental and structural”, says Bacchi. “We realised that the only way to win the communication challenge posed by so-called alternative materials was to spread knowledge of leather and support projects by the new generation of creatives”. The latter point was strongly and precisely emphasised by Iliprandi, who highlighted leather’s contemporary and future-oriented value, as well as the level of excellence achieved by Italian tanneries. These are companies where young people, with their skills, can find opportunities and room to grow.
Returning to Lineapelle, “every day we read about initiatives and competitions aimed at young people”, Bacchi continues. “We try to help young people understand the material, learn how to use it, facilitate contact with suppliers and help them source small samples. We invest around EUR 1 million a year in our training projects”. From here, moving on to the Lineapelle Designers Edition and the new feature of its tenth edition is not only a short step — it is a natural one.
Lineapelle Designers Edition
There are 14 designers and brands selected for this edition. In alphabetical order: Absent Findings, Art259design, Biagini, Davii, Demiurgo Leather Avantgarde. Then: Dienèe, Edis Pala, Florania, Laboratorio Riciclo Pelle, Leonardovalentini. Finally: Saman Loira, Simon Cracker, Veiga Milano, Yezael By Angelo Cruciani. “Lineapelle Designers Edition is not simply a project”, reads a statement. “It has become a genuine community that speaks of values, sustainability and contemporaneity. A journey that brings together aesthetics, research and authenticity, an experience that goes beyond the product to become an expression of style and vision”. And there is more. This edition introduces an essential new element that raises both its profile and its energy.
From the catwalk to the end consumer
“For the first time, designers and their collections will be in direct contact with the end consumer”. Making this new chapter possible is a partnership with DAAD Dantone, the historic Milanese boutique founded by Giorgio Dantone and run together with his son Alessandro. It is an example of a carefully conceived approach to research, experimentation and the promotion of new protagonists in fashion.
Thanks to this first agreement, at the end of October the DAAD Dantone boutique on Via Spiga will be dedicated for one week to a selection of creations — particularly leather pieces — by the designers who are part of the Lineapelle Designers Edition community. It is not only a way of demonstrating a belief in the value of the project. It is also “a way of respecting our creative dreams”, explains Angelo Cruciani. “If you do not believe in these dreams, you give up the collective dream of being able to express ourselves”.
Readc also:
- One trade fair after another: from Lineapelle to all the September fairs
- UNIC and Lineapelle at Sapienza to explore leather
