Lineapelle meets Tokyo by taking part — in an exceptionally proactive way — in the event that shines a spotlight on new proposals from Italian fashion. It is called The NIC (New Italian Cool) Award. Organised by the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ICCJ), The NIC Award positions itself as “a point of reference, a privileged observatory, and a driving force for promoting the new Made in Italy”. For Lineapelle, it represented a significant opportunity to present its innovative vision, supporting creativity applied to style (and to leather).
Lineapelle meets Tokyo
The winners of The NIC Award are described as “the finest Italian talents in terms of originality, innovation, and commitment to sustainability”. They were selected by a high-profile Japanese jury composed of designers Tomo Koizumi and Yasutoshi Ezumi, Restir buyer Maiko Shibata, and Ritsuko Hotta (Vogue, Yoox Japan, Richemont Japan). Two special categories of The NIC Award were supported by Lineapelle. The 2025 edition of the NIC Award benefited from the collaboration not only of Lineapelle, but also of Confartigianato, Itochu Fashion System (IFS), and the fashion schools coconogacco and Istituto Marangoni Firenze.
The winners
Let’s begin with the Lineapelle Awards within The NIC. The first, in the New category, was awarded to the brand Chronos Corps, with the following citation: “For the innovative use of materials and the conceptual reinterpretation of sustainable luxury”. The second, in the Upcoming category, went to Maria Palomba, “for her ability to combine artistic sensitivity with material experimentation”. The NIC Award then presented three further prizes. In the New Clothing category, the winner was Alberto Zambelli, “for his contemporary vision that blends tailoring with material experimentation”. In the New Accessories category, the award went to the brand 959, “a label that renews artisanal tradition with a sustainable and international language”. Finally, in the Upcoming category — reserved for students and recent graduates — the winner was Giulia Lin, “a young talent who merges aesthetics and technical research in a design with global perspective”.
Much more than a prize
“The winners flew to Tokyo to present their collections in an exclusive fashion show”, explains an ICCJ statement. “They met the press and key Japanese distributors, including Isetan and Beams. Their creations will be exhibited for one month at the showroom of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Japan, in the heart of the capital, where the ICCJ will manage relations with buyers and industry professionals”.
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