Okay, saying Volkswagen may go bankrupt is an exaggeration. But it’s certain that the German auto group faces one of the deepest crises in its history: for the first time, it’s considering closing plants in Germany. And while the group’s stability is in question, what is management in Wolfsburg worried about? Presenting a fabric developed […]
The long-awaited boom in vegan alternatives to leather is reminiscent of the revolution according to that Giorgio Gaber song: “Not today, maybe tomorrow, the day after tomorrow for sure”. Yes, because the trickle of articles and press releases about new, unfailingly “next-gen” materials is so far only a media boom. The expected industrial impact (invariably...
Approaching new markets and benefiting the reshoring from China. Calzados Bonadona is a shoe manufacturer based in Cehegìn, in the Murcia region of Spain. Founded in 1994, it is led by Bernardo Martinez Garcia and Mariano Tudela Alvarez. Bonadona specialises in the production of espadrilles, which is concentrated in October and November. Shipments take place...
Gucci’s style office is growing. The creative director of the Kering group fashion house, Sabato De Sarno, is introducing three key figures to his team. These are familiar names to insiders: Ian Waller will be in charge of men’s leather goods, Giovanni Battista Orsi of men’s clothing and Michele Romano of women’s clothing. As Fashion […]
If Louis Vuitton invests so much in sport, CEO Pietro Beccari explains to La Repubblica, it is not just for extra window dressing. It does so to create a connection of values and ideals between haute couture customers and the world’s top athletes. In the summer 2024 alone, the LVMH group’s flagship brand is premium...
After returning with her personal brand, Phoebe Philo is once again in the spotlight. This time, however, it has nothing to do with a new collection, but rather with accusations (made via social media) against her management style. According to fashion editor and influencer Brenda Hashtag (Brenda Weischer), the British designer exploits her employees. The...
The fair, like the market, is down. In Germany, sales of shoes and handbags fell further in the first half of 2024: down 15%, with the consequence of Shoes Düsseldorf (which closes today) having declining attendance, and with visitors preferring other events and waiting for Micam Milan. Today is also the opening day of All...
Santoni’s growth slows, but at a rate that confirms the positive forecasts. The Corridonia and Marche-based company tells Corriere della Sera that it closed the first half of 2024 with a revenue of €60 million, or +8.6% compared to the same period of 2023. The performance is significantly lower than what Giuseppe Santoni, who returned […]
L Catterton acquires part of the capital of Polène. The deal strengthens the presence of LVMH boss Bernard Arnault, already a partner through Aglaé Ventures, in the French leather goods brand. The brand, which uses Italian and Spanish leathers, more than doubled its sales in 2023 and, even more impressive, tripled its profits. L Catterton...
There is also another kind of luxury that is starting to show its slowdown. A luxury that, in turn, had benefited from the solid and growing hype for designer bags and limited-edition trainers. We are talking about the crisis at Christie’s and Sotheby’s. The rich Chinese have also reduced their investments, and their takings and...
Too bad that on this side of the hemisphere one has to look at the conversion of automobiles from thermal to electric engines with concern. Because China’s electric car boom, on the other hand, includes leather and therefore drives tanneries’ production. The industry in the People’s Republic, lucky them, has not taken the bait of […]
CICB’s guide offers Brazilian tanneries an operational tool to ensure the traceability of the materials they process and export. It helps them get up to speed with what is required by the national forestry law and, to protect trade relations with Europe, beside from covering what the EUDR anti-deforestation regulation requirements. Finally, the guide by […]
Creating a leather cluster in Bugesera Special Economic Zone in Rwanda’s border with Burundi. Making the announcement, reported by NewTimes.co.rw, is Fred Mugabe (director general of promotion of industry and business development at the Ministry of Trade and Industry). The project is aligned with what was already initiated in 2021, as the Rwandan government aimed […]
September, the carousel of trade fairs is coming. It starts and finishes in Germany (from Offenbach and Düsseldorf to Munich), touching on three continents. But the crucial stages will be – as usual – in Italy. Precisely in Milan, where the entire supply chain is involved. From producers of leather, materials and accessories to manufacturers...
Record sales and disappointed investors: such is the fate of Birkenstock. In the third quarter of its fiscal year, April to June 2024, the German sandal manufacturer’s revenues grew 19.3% to 564.8 million euro. A figure slightly below analysts’ estimates (565.2 million euros). A disappointment that led – yesterday and today – to a collapse...
Low prices and booming handbag sales. This is how retailer Kurt Geiger is emerging victorious from a 2024 that is hurting many brands and retailers. Geiger achieved record sales in the last fiscal year, and now it’s time for the investment fund that owns the brand to explore a possible sale. Kurt Geiger pushed on...
2024 hasn’t brought setbacks to all. Consumption is going down but the doors for exciting new opportunities are always open. Socque Paris, a women’s shoe brand born in 2021, is experiencing an increase in direct-to-consumer sales, and at the same pace, the wholesale channel is developing, following several retailers showing interest in its products. The...
Once an absolute guarantee for the winter wardrobe, today leather has ceased to be a seasonal prerogative only. And if the must-haves for summer 2024 include at least one leather garment or accessory (boots take the top spot), the reasons for this trend are to be found in music festival looks. And in the trends...
In the era of “the weirder the more viral”, it can happen that JW Anderson, designer and creative director of Loewe, gets inspired by a user’s comment on social media and creates a tomato bag. Nothing new, if we think that for the past few seasons we have been seeing all kinds of accessories on...
New acquisition for Rochet Group. The French company, founded in 1908, specialises in the manufacture of watch straps (in leather and other materials) and leather goods. It has bought Sibra, a leading manufacturer of original equipment watch straps. This is the second acquisition after Bouveret in 2021. But Rochet Group CEO Charles Brunet has already […]
