Cooperation Agreement Between Leather and Fashion Associations

Starting today in Milan, Lineapelle opened its doors with a press conference led by the main representatives of the tanning and fashion associations.

Opening the conference, Salvatore Mercogliano, Director of UNIC, the Italian Tanners Industry Association, underlined the importance of the trade show on an international level, especially in times of uncertainties when geopolitical issues are not helping the sector. Giovanni Russo, UNIC's President, stressed the importance of uniting the sector to discuss the different problems affecting the industry.

The global luxury segment is recording a swinging trend but, according to Russo, the Italian know how will help the industry face the challenges of the moment. In his speech, Russo also highlighted the importance of family businesses, which have the lion's share in the Italian economy, and their commitment to environmental and research areas, as well as the fact that the leather industry has the Italian government as an important ally on its side for the first time in history; giving relevance the Made In Italy on a political level and enabling cooperation agreements with the fashion associations. On a global economic level, Riccardo Monti, President of ICE, the Italian Trade Commission, spoke about the capacity of the Western economies to resist against the developing Asian powers, in particular, thanks to their commitment in creating a cleaner and more sustainable industry through environmental regulations and traceability.

Promoting the synergy between the leather and fashion sectors, Carlo Capasa, President of Italy’s National Chamber of Fashion, expressed his satisfaction in strengthening the relationship between UNIC, Lineapelle and the fashion brands. Capasa outlined two main objectives of the cooperation; the youth, enhanced through competitions between the fashion academies, and sustainability, for which they have created a round table to study the accurate guidelines to be applied in different sectors. Lineapelle: February 23-25, 2016, Fiera Milano Rho, Milan, Italy.