Safety Magazine

A+A: a trade fair projected into the future

Since last September, the director of the A+A safety trade fair has been Daniel Feische, a manager with extensive international experience who has been with Messe Düsseldorf for many years. He takes over from Lars Wismer, who has become Regional Manager Asia for the trade fair based in Singapore. The new director Feische agreed to answer a few questions.

Daniel Feische

A+A 2025 promises to be the biggest ever. Can you give us some details about the number of exhibitors and the floor space occupied?

“Absolutely. A+A 2025 is set to be the largest edition in the trade fair’s history. We are expecting more than 2,200 exhibitors from over 69 countries and around 87,000 square meters of exhibition space have been sold. This makes the 2025 edition the largest A+A we have ever organized. We are also seeing a continuously growing number of international registrations, particularly from Europe, Asia, and North America. The trade fair will bring together a strong mix of established global market leaders and many first-time exhibitors, who will enrich the event with fresh ideas and innovations. What we can already confirm is that large parts of the fairgrounds will be dedicated to future-oriented topics such as wearable technologies, robotics, smart PPE and digital solutions. This clearly reflects the growing importance of innovation and future orientated technologies within our industry.”

Could you provide us with some data on the presence of exhibitors from the specific footwear sector?

“Safety footwear is an essential segment within A+A and we have more than 340 exhibitors related to footwear The dedicated Corporate Wear and Fashion Show formats highlight this trend, underscoring how important the combination of safety, ergonomics, and style has become. This increased focus also suggests that protective footwear will have a stronger presence compared to previous years.”

How many visitors do you expect and from which countries?

“Workplace safety, health, and wellbeing are gaining global importance as companies face demographic change, digital transformation and new work models. Rising ESG requirements and employee expectations make safe and future-oriented workplaces decisive factors for competitiveness and employer attractiveness. In 2023, A+A welcomed around 62,300 visitors from more than 140 countries. For 2025, we expect growing visitor numbers, underlining the truly global scope of the event. Pre-registration trends already show a strong increase in participation from outside Europe – especially from Asia and North America – alongside consistently  strong attendance from European neighbor countries.

Looking at exhibitors, we already see significant representation from countries such as Italy, the USA, India, Korea, Spain, the UK and China. This illustrates the broad and highly international spectrum of A+A 2025.”

During the fair there will be many side events. Which ones are not to be missed?

“The supporting program is a core element of A+A and one of its major strengths. A particular highlight is the A+A Congress, one of the world’s leading international conferences on occupational safety and health, which this year will feature new interactive formats. Key topics include sustainability, climate change, mental well-being at work, prevention strategies for SMEs, as well as digitalization and artificial intelligence. In addition, WearRAcon Europe will take place at A+A for the second time, providing in-depth insights into wearable robotics and exoskeletons, and showcasing how these technologies can be applied in professional contexts. At the Trend Forum, leading experts will discuss the latest research and developments – from sustainability and innovative materials to corporate wear. Another highlight will be the Corporate Wear/Fashion Show, once again a visitor magnet, presenting workwear and PPE in a modern, stylish format that combines safety with design and fashion.”

In recent years, the safety sector has experienced steady growth. However, the international economic context is now dominated by uncertainty…

“It is true that the current economic climate – with supply chain challenges, inflation, and geopolitical tensions – creates uncertainty across many industries. However, the safety and health sector has proven to be particularly resilient. Occupational safety is not optional: it is a regulatory and ethical obligation in many countries, which ensures a stable demand for reliable solutions. At the same time, the industry is undergoing significant transformation. Trends such as digitalization, wearable technologies, AI, and sustainability are driving investment because they provide efficiency, compliance, cost savings and improved employee protection. These factors make us confident that A+A 2025 will once again showcase the sector’s innovative strength and underline its essential role in creating safe and future-ready workplaces worldwide.”

 

 

GRISPORT presents “MISANO””

The Grisport shoe factory turns the spotlight on the “Misano” safety footwear, part of the STS (Super Trail System) line, which joins the Imola, Mugello, Adria, and Monza models, all comfortable and safe. At the same time, in line with the latest trends in the sector, Misano is increasingly similar to a city sneaker in terms of sportiness and lightness.

The upper is made of top-quality genuine gray suede and Cordura, which, thanks to the new construction technology applied to the sole and the breathable perforated steel toe cap, is unique in its kind, also thanks to the sportiness and lightness that distinguish it.

The Misano features a non-slip Vibram sole and an anti-torsion “Block-Up” system that guarantees ankle support.

 The models in Grisport’s STS line also feature an innovative patented BOA closure system. With almost 14 million users worldwide, this system is reinventing the way we think about sports footwear. The system is durable, secure, comfortable, quick to adjust, and easy to close, open, and clean.

 

TFL presents Spring-Summer 2027

TFL has released its new catalogue for Spring-Summer 2027, presenting the latest colour trends for leather garments, footwear, accessories and for the upholstery industry.

The trends are divided into “Wearing” and “Living”. 

“Wearing” comprises inspirations and colour trends for garments, footwear and accessories.

The “Living” section features all colours that will decorate the season’s interior designs.

In the “Wearing” section, fashion and design embrace bold contrasts and natural inspiration. The negative reptile print makes a comeback in striking greens and lemon yellow. Boat shoes dive into a spectrum of sea blues and reflection of the open sky, while suede takes on sandy neutrals combined with pop colours inspired by fruit ice creams.

In the “Living” section, sofas and armchairs light up in vibrant camellia pinks for dynamic environments with character or opt for timeless elegance with taupe and earthy browns. TFL Colour Trends Spring-Summer 2027 are an invitation to explore tactile and visual emotions through colour, combining innovation, comfort and style.

The TFL Colour Trends catalogue is available.  More info: www.tfl.com.

Stardust by Satorisan

Inspired by the idea that every human being comes from ancient stardust scattered throughout the universe, Stardust carries a profound message: an invitation to rediscover one’s origins and the bond that connects each individual to the universe, to others and to the environment around them. The design is inspired by the iconic football boots of the 1960s, revisited with a modern twist. The silhouette is simple yet distinctive, with long laces that ensure a precise fit, embellished with exclusive details such as an embossed logo, gold accents, decorative stitching and reinforced flaps on the tongue and heel. The result is a versatile, sturdy and incredibly comfortable shoe, designed to become a new classic.

There are two versions. Stardust Suede: made from suede combined with full-grain leather from LWG Gold-certified tanneries, it comes in refined colour combinations and stands out for its stitched toe cap, which enhances its sporty character. Stardust Premium, on the other hand, is made from premium leather with a nubuck finish, combined with full-grain leather and high-quality suede, all sourced from LWG Gold-certified tanneries. The upturned toe is inspired by old footballs, while protective flaps on the tongue and heel and a leather inner lining complete the design.

Stardust Suede
Stardust Premium


ID.EIGHT: take a walk on the sustainable side

 Founded in Florence in 2019, ID.EIGHT offers timeless, seasonless sneakers made from over 70% recycled materials, 100% cruelty-free and genderless. The upper is made from Italian-made materials derived from food industry by-products: BioVeg, made from industrial corn waste and mycelium; Vegea, made from discarded grape stalks, skins and seeds; Uppeal, a leather-like fabric made from apple skins and cores. The sole of the ID.EIGHT is made from natural and recycled rubber, as are all the materials used for the laces and label. The lining is made from 100% certified, breathable organic cotton. All of the brand’s suppliers are European, carefully selected and certified according to international environmental standards, such as ISO and GRS (Global Recycled Standard) certifications. ID.EIGHT has also obtained the highest score of VVV+ in the Animal Free Fashion rating promoted by the Anti-Vivisection League.

A|impact, the venture capital fund promoted by Avanzi, has also chosen to invest €350,000 in the sustainable sneaker brand, contributing to the internationalisation process and expansion of the Florentine brand’s product range. ‘We are particularly proud of this partnership, as it brings a partner into our company who shares our values and our code of ethics,’ were the comments of the two founders of ID.EIGHT, South Korean designer Dong Seon Lee and Italian Product Manager Giuliana Borzillo.

Giuliana Borzillo, Dong Seon Lee 


D.A.T.E.: 20 years of vision and style

The trendy, high-end brand, whose acronym hides the names of its four founders – Damiano, Alessandro, Tommaso and Emiliano – chose to celebrate its twentieth anniversary in the city where it all began, Florence, with an immersive event in the extraordinary setting of the Cattedrale dell’Immagine.

A symbolic place that blends the historicity of its architecture with the most advanced visual technology. It was here, on Monday 17 June, during Pitti Uomo 108, that DATE staged a multisensory experience capable of recounting – through images, sounds and suggestions – two decades of aesthetic research, authenticity and independent spirit.

The evening took the form of a narrative that went beyond the classic concept of an event. The immersive projections, created specifically for the occasion, interacted with the exhibition dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci, a key figure in Tuscan culture and an icon of experimentation and genius. It was also a personal tribute, given the proximity between Empoli, where the brand’s headquarters are located, and Vinci, the artist’s birthplace.


Re-birth by Cuoio di Toscana: 40 years of sustainable excellence

The evening of 18 June, hosted by Fabiana Giacomotti in the gardens of the Four Seasons Hotel in Florence, brought together distinguished guests from the worlds of high fashion, luxury craftsmanship and institutions. The star of the event was the limited edition created in collaboration with Diego Dolcini: a masculine reinterpretation of the classic Opanka moccasin in natural shades that characterise the excellence of Tuscan leather. ‘I am particularly proud of this collaboration with Cuoio di Toscana,’ said Diego Dolcini during the event. ‘After creating the first special version of the Opanka sole with a stiletto heel in 1995, returning to work on this iconic model represents a full circle for me. The consortium’s craftsmanship and the quality of Tuscan leather have made it possible to create a shoe that combines tradition and innovation.’

The limited edition presented is a perfect example of how tradition and innovation can come together: the special Opanka technique, which makes the sole and upper a single piece that only a few Italian workshops can produce, is enhanced by a hidden tag that traces the various stages of the shoe’s production, a real sustainability passport with which Cuoio di Toscana certifies and guarantees its green values.


The world of Castañer since 1927

Castañer’s journey began with the iconic jute wedge, a collaboration with Yves Saint Laurent that revolutionised the fashion industry. Since then, it has never stopped, combining traditional craftsmanship with sustainable materials to create shoes that are as beautiful as they are timeless.

In particular, the Castañer Curated Edition embodies the essence of uniqueness: each piece, made with fine materials and shaped by expert hands, is the result of a careful selection, in which every detail reflects the precision and dedication of a craft refined over time. This line is characterised by the use of high-quality suede certified by the Leather Working Group (LWG), a sustainable and luxurious material with a distinctive soft texture and matte finish.

The Ready-to-Wear line, on the other hand, represents the most avant-garde collection, bringing the latest trends to the Castañer universe. Each piece is uniquely designed and handmade with fine materials, combining contemporary style and craftsmanship.


Pitti Uomo 108 sends a positive message to the entire fashion industry

 ‘If we look at the foreign data in more detail,’ says Raffaello Napoleone, CEO of Pitti Immagine, “it is interesting to note that the European total compensates for the fluctuations, in one direction or another, of individual countries, while the strongest positive momentum comes from outside Europe: the United States and China in the first place, followed by Japan and the other Southeast Asian economies. Also interesting are the growing numbers from large markets that had previously had very limited attendance: Australia, Brazil and India. Attendance from most Eastern European and Middle Eastern countries was also very good, as was attendance from the new markets of Central Asia. This demonstrates that Pitti Uomo is not only a sensitive barometer of commercial movements but also, very often, the port where the avant-garde of new buyers of the best men’s fashion disembark.

In total, there were around 5,450 foreign buyers and just under 6,000 Italian buyers. The list of the main foreign arrivals: Germany, United Kingdom, Spain, Netherlands, Japan, Turkey, United States, France, Switzerland, Belgium, China, Greece, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Austria, South Korea, Canada, Denmark and Australia.

‘It’s not just a question of numbers,’ adds Agostino Poletto, general manager of Pitti Immagine, “because the atmosphere during these four days has been truly positive, right from the very beginning. The main credit goes to the more than 740 exhibitors who believed and invested in the show, to their collections that incorporate the memory of high-end manufacturing together with innovative talent, infusing contemporary content and functional elements into the various canons of men’s clothing.”

Once again, Pitti Uomo has worked with conviction on international collaborations – from the focus on Korean fashion and lifestyle in the new CODE Korea, to Scandinavian Manifesto, the Japanese excellence of J∞QUALITY, and the creativity of China Wave. Not to mention the French brands of Promas and the Spanish brands of ICEX, as well as the support for Ukrainian fashion from Angel for Fashion.

The nearly 130 events on the calendar for this edition were a success and attracted a great deal of attention. To name just a few, the guests at the special events promoted by Pitti were highly appreciated by industry professionals: from Homme Plissé Issey Miyake, guest of honour with an extraordinary, multi-faceted event – exhibition and fashion show – at Villa La Petraia; the first fashion show by Korean brand PAF (Post Archive Faction), guest designer at Stazione Leopolda, which also hosted a special event by Japanese research brand Children of the Discordance; and the menswear debut of Italian talent Niccolò Pasqualetti, presented with a fashion show at the Teatro del Maggio that enchanted the press and buyers.

Homme Plissé Issey Miyake


Pop-Up by ZOOM BAGS, the sustainable trolley that “bounces”

An Italian brand of travel accessories, born from the development of two patents by Chiara Caramelli, ZOOM BAGS creates products designed for the contemporary traveller: innovative in their solutions, sustainable in their materials and concept, and customisable in their design. The project stems from the idea of reducing the bulk of suitcases to make them more sustainable during the production, transport and storage process, but also adaptable to spaces. ZOOM BAGS promotes circularity through the use of recycled, recyclable and dead-stock materials, creating unique and durable accessories that accompany the traveller of the Third Millennium. 

One example is the innovative “POP-UP” trolley, made with circular materials enhanced by a regenerative process that gives waste materials a second life: the shells are made from 60% recycled E.V.A. rubber recovered from pre-consumer shoe soles, and the linings are made from 100% recycled PES fabric from post-consumer plastic bottles or dead stock from textile production.

The soft E.V.A. rubber shell is extremely impact resistant and, in the event of an accidental fall, Pop-Up bounces instead of breaking. The large, silent wheels, which roll smoothly, can be replaced if worn and, thanks to a quick and easy release system, can be easily removed at home, washed and refitted or replaced independently if damaged, purchasing them as spare accessories. To ensure travellers receive an excellent product, Pop-Up has undergone extreme quality testing by the leading certification body SGS, passing all drop tests, wheel and handle resistance tests, and heat resistance tests.