Credit: Lineapelle
From a commercial hub to a communication hub: this 107th edition of Lineapelle, scheduled from 11 to 13 February in the usual spaces of Rho Fiera Milano, confirms how communication has become a fundamental pillar for the recovery of the leather sector, which is facing a still-uncertain 2026 and therefore needs to be told more and better than ever—both externally and internally.
For this reason, alongside the collections of nearly 900 exhibitors present at the fair, ample space will be dedicated to workshops, talks, and conversations exploring the present and future of leather and its cultural and technical evolution. Starting from one of the strengths of this extraordinary material: sustainability. “Over 99% of the raw hides used by the tanning industry as a raw material are recovered from the food supply chains of bovine, ovicaprine, and porcine meat. The recovery activity carried out by tanneries prevents their disposal in landfills as waste,” recalled Giovanna Garavaglia. But the district must continue to evolve, and navigating laws and regulations is not easy: this is why the Science Based Fashion Talks are being introduced—round tables aimed at anticipating and measuring future demands in terms of materials, environmental impact, and market expectations, while also looking at best practices for regenerative approaches, traceability systems, and measurement tools to be adopted throughout the entire supply chain.
Research naturally plays a central role, with a focus on chemistry, as does knowledge-sharing, through the meetings scheduled at the Experimental Station for the Leather Industry at Lineapelle (SSIP, Pavilion 2). And, as usual, there is the creative manifesto carried forward by Lineapelle Designers Edition, which this year will take place alongside Milan Fashion Week, from 26 February to 1 March, in order not to overlap with the Olympic Games. During the event, collections by 1972 Desa, Aendor Studio, Alchetipo, Chronos Corps, Florania, Marco Rambaldi, Opolaia, Simon Cracker and Tokyo James, Amato Daniele, Biagini, Kamilla, and La-Bo Milano will be presented.
Lineapelle thus demonstrates that, in a phase of structural fragility within the supply chain, communication is not optional but a true industrial lever. Explaining the material, building a shared language, and making data, processes, and possibilities readable become essential to creating the conditions for the sector to continue to exist.
