LINEAPELLE in Milan, 10-12 September ’14

A market worth 115 billion dollars between supply and demand, with a work force of 1 million, orbits around the world’s most important trade fair for leather and components: LINEAPELLE.

With over 1,100 exhibitors, 1/3 of them foreign, it attracts 18,000 buyers from 110 countries: designer brands, multinationals and footwear manufacturers, producers of leather apparel, luxury operators, designers, interior designers, auto interior scouts. The star of the show is a point of excellence in the Made in Italy galaxy: Italian leather. A product that has become synonymous with high quality, prestige and sustainability, indispensable for the success of the high end international consumer sector.

One out of every four leather exported worldwide is Italian, as is 65% of tannery production in Europe: our technical, environmental and social standards are insuperable. At LINEAPELLE, the range of goods offered is complete, meeting all the needs of any manufacturing activity, including ornaments, semi-assembled components and alternative materials, making it a must-see. Taken together, the companies represented by LINEAPELLE’s Italian exhibitors vaunt a turnover of 8 billion euros, of which 5.7 come from exports, and a workforce of 40 thousand.
The event was inaugurated in Milan, in 1981, and moved to Bologna 5 years later, where it has remained until today. Over the decades, the market has changed radically: luxury began asserting itself, the new convention center at Rho-Pero was built, Milan became the capital of luxury and fashion dominated the trade fair agendas, making the season start earlier and earlier. The Bologna fairgrounds had fallen back a step, and was reluctant to adjust to LINEAPELLE's new time constraints.

The event thus changed its venue back to Milan, where next 10-12 September it will present the important F/W ’15-’16 collections. It will occupy pavilions 9-11-13-15-22-24 with the traditional categories of goods, and the S/S editions will be held at the end of February, beginning of March, for the next three years.

The flurry during the first few hours of bookings indicates a probable increase in net surface area (40 thousand square meters so far) and greater numbers of visitors from abroad.
This is the initial step in a farsighted and promising business strategy for Italian leather and accessories, national and European leaders.

For more information:
ufficio.stampa@lineapelle-fair.it

Milan, 4 April 2014