Credit: Conceria MB3
Spring/Summer 2026 saw many silver or gold garments and accessories on the runway, presented in smooth, crinkled, or mirror-finish versions, and also proposed for daytime wear in contrast with knitwear or sportswear.
In many cases these are laminated-effect fabrics or even metal or PVC, but many opt for leather, especially for accessories, as it allows for achieving different types of visual effects as well as varying results in terms of softness and thickness.
But how is this achieved on leather? “It is a final finishing process obtained through the application of foils,” explains Marco Nuti of MB3. “The classic ones are colored sheets, which can be used on any type of leather and thickness. Foils can be total, which do not allow further processing once applied, or partial, which make it possible to further refine the leather depending on the desired visual result.”
There are also liquid foils, “which are applied using roller or spray machines and require many processing steps, including those needed to achieve coloration.” These allow, for example, the creation of a mirror effect, suitable for bags and garments.
