Who said safety has to be boring? Sneaknit has decided to overturn this prejudice, transforming work shoes into a design object that combines protection and style. Founded in 2019, the Marche-based company designs technical uppers that make every pair of ‘work’ shoes sporty, elegant or casual, without ever compromising on performance: waterproofing, breathability and abrasion resistance remain at the highest levels.
But it’s not just about looks. Sneaknit is synonymous with technical reliability and compliance with the most stringent regulations. All its products comply with the European REACH regulation and meet the requirements for PFAS, perfluoroalkyl substances under strict environmental observation. “We have conducted thorough testing to ensure safety and sustainability,” explains the company. “We want to protect consumers and the environment without sacrificing creativity.”
Sneaknit thus demonstrates that aesthetics and safety can coexist. Because today, even in the world of workwear, style and protection go hand in hand.
The world of work and safety is demanding. It cannot afford and does not tolerate inaccuracies or components that are unable to guarantee protection and reliability. This is why it is a sector that relies on suppliers with experience and the ability to customise components.
Moro Minuterie, with over 50 years of experience in the production of metal accessories for various cases, from fashion to sport and safety, meets all the requirements of the sector. Precision, attention to detail, low environmental impact processes and recycled materials to be increasingly attentive to sustainability issues characterise the production of Moro Minuterie, which also boasts another string to its bow: entirely Made in Italy manufacturing.
Technicians capable of developing even the most innovative projects and the possibility of producing moulds in-house allow for a high level of customisation.
This is perfectly demonstrated by the new collection of hooks, rivets and eyelaces presented by Moro Minuterie at the latest Lineapelle trade fair. These highly technical and functional accessories enhance the new sports and work & safety collections not only in terms of performance but also in terms of aesthetics.
And he is not alone: it is the cry of alarm of an entire Italian production system caught between environmental ideals and real costs. Because while Brussels charts the course towards climate neutrality, Italian SMEs are faced with a brutal choice: invest prohibitive sums or surrender to non-EU competition operating without constraints.
From the stage of the “La chimica dei valori” (The Chemistry of Values) event in Milan, Minister Foti added fuel to the fire: ‘It is clear that when we talk about industry in Europe, we must also start from a consideration that may seem trivial, but does Europe still believe in industry and does it still believe in European industry? Because if we do not first ask ourselves whether this is an objective or not, it is difficult to interpret certain initiatives correctly. Personally, I don’t think the Green Deal was a mistake. It was a deliberate and perfectly planned accident with the ideological aim of deindustrialising Europe. I say this because it is impossible that, using only common sense, anyone could have realised what was being set up. These are goals that are impossible to achieve, but which are pursued with a shrewdness that can only be described as persecutory.”
Tommaso Foti, Italian Minister for European Affairs
FASHION UNDER ATTACK
The sector – 60,000 companies, 600,000 employees, £92 billion in turnover – is on the front line. “The Italian fashion system is under attack from global competition, technological transformations, energy cost pressures and new European regulations,” says Luca Sburlati, president of Confindustria Moda. The numbers speak for themselves: exports down 4% in the first half of 2025, Chinese imports up 18%. And there is an even more disturbing fact: according to an Ambrosetti report, the sector is eight years behind its 2030 targets and would need £24.7 billion in investment. The problem? 92% of Italian companies cannot afford it. “Too fragile,” explains Carlo Cici of Ambrosetti.
Carlo Capasa, president of the National Chamber of Fashion, said it to the European Parliament: “The costs of the transition must be charged to those who fill landfills with fast fashion, not to creative fashion.” The point is precisely this: European regulations – CSRD, Digital Product Passport, Ecodesign Regulation – do not distinguish between those who produce lasting quality and those who flood the market with disposable goods. Roberto Bottoli, coordinator of the Veneto Fashion Table, warns of the risk of “green fanaticism or excessive bureaucracy” that only burdens European producers.
Foti reflects on other figures: “In Europe, we are almost extremely concerned with stabilising emissions on a daily basis, when Europe accounts for 6% of emissions. While we congratulate ourselves on reducing our emissions a little, others are increasing them recklessly and managing to compete with us in a way that is pushing us out of the market”.
THE NUMBERS THAT MATTER
Talking about transition is easy, paying for it is not. The CSRD costs €274,000 initially plus €148,000 per year. For an SME in Vicenza, this could mean closure. Then there is energy: electricity at €150/MWh, the most expensive in Europe; gas at a ratio of 4:1 compared to the US. How can we compete like this? Italian industrial production fell by 8.2% between mid-2022 and the end of 2024. These are not fluctuations: this is a structural collapse.
THE OPPOSING VIEW
Yet there are those who see the Green Deal as an opportunity. Anna Turrell, Chief Sustainability Officer at Decathlon, put it in black and white: ‘The Green Deal is Europe’s biggest competitive advantage. And we companies need certainty.‘ Her thesis overturns the narrative: it is not the Green Deal that is stifling, but regulatory uncertainty. ’A clear legal framework will allow investment in sustainable practices that guarantee jobs and prosperity.” Businesses are ready to invest, but stable rules are needed for planning.
Seven CEOs of major European industrial groups – from Siemens to Schneider Electric – have written that they are ‘turning the challenge into a competitive advantage through lower energy costs.’ And Ilham Kadri, CEO of Syensqo: ‘Climate change is a risk but also a huge opportunity. We need both sustainability and profitability.’ Not one against the other, but together.
THE CROSSROADS
The Commission has taken a first step backwards with the Omnibus package: CSRD only for companies with over 1,000 employees, savings of £6 billion per year, 80% of companies exempt. But more is needed: an approach that distinguishes quality from mass production, protects SMEs and prevents unfair competition. A Green Deal that does not become a “tool for deindustrialisation” but also not a pretext for postponing an inevitable transition.
The real crossroads is not between the environment and competitiveness. It is between those who will be able to turn sustainability into an advantage and those who will be left behind. The question is: will Europe give its businesses – especially the smallest ones – the tools to meet this challenge? The time for answers is running out.
Minister Foti, however, is more categorical: ‘What is the goal? Is it to reduce Europe, which already has its own intrinsic problem of declining birth rates, to a garden for the elderly, or do we want to maintain a productive Europe that continues to be a beacon of global manufacturing? It is not possible to think that we can follow the path of a Green Deal without dismantling this Green Deal, without acknowledging that it is not possible to continue on a path that resembles a suicide mission’.
Brussels, 27 October 2025, – COTANCE joins 19 European industries in calling on the European Commission to:
– Introduce a “Stop-the-Clock” mechanism, allowing proper assessment of the EUDR’s impact and implementation.
– Deliver the legally required scope-related Impact Assessment under Article 34
– Engage with stakeholders to develop realistic, workable compliance mechanisms that uphold environmental goals without damaging Europe’s industrial competitiveness.
After initially announcing a postponement in September 2025, the European Commission now proposes to move a new EUDR into full application within just two months — a reversal that risks undermining confidence in the EU regulatory process.
The concerns of stakeholders span from proposed timelines creating significant uncertainty for European operators — from large downstream industries, which will be unable to readapt their IT systems once again, to small and micro operators, who will face an even greater administrative burden for managing themselves the data load of the number of Due Diligence Statement (DDS) reference numbers accumulating along the value chain.
The Commission’s amendment also fails to meet a key legal requirement — the scope-related Impact Assessment under Article 34. This impact assessment was meant to verify whether the list of products in Annex 1 should be amended or extended. Originally due in June 2025, it has now been cancelled altogether and replaced by the “general review” in 2030, 5 years after implementation. This maladministration deprives sectors such as leather of their legal right to evidence-based policymaking – as leather-impacts had never been assessed so far – and undermines the EU principles of Better Regulation.
COTANCE reiterates that the inclusion of hides, skins and leather in the scope of the EUDR was made without a proper impact assessment. Authoritative scientific evidence, including research from the Sant’Anna University of Applied Sciences in Pisa, has confirmed that leather is not a driver of deforestation. Leather is a by-product of the meat and dairy sectors and no cattle is raised for its hide. Leather-making contributes to circularity by valorising resources that would otherwise become waste.
Gustavo Gonzalez-Quijano, COTANCE Secretary-General, stated: “The European leather industry fully supports the fight against deforestation. But sustainability cannot be achieved through regulations that disregard the realities on the ground. We call on the Commission to take a step back, listen to evidence, and ensure that EUDR implementation is based on facts, not assumptions. The time has come to stop the clock and get this regulation right.”
COTANCE reaffirms its commitment to sustainability, transparency, and responsible supply chains. However, a regulation that is not evidence-based, not workable, and not fair serves neither the environment nor the European economy.
Flip-flops emerged as a major footwear statement for Spring/Summer 2026, appearing in refined iterations with pointed toes at Ami and sandal versions at Yohji Yamamoto.
The season emphasized collaborations and performance heritage, with Louis Vuitton introducing the LV Buttersoft sneaker and Jonathan Anderson debuting chunky, skate-inspired shoes for Dior.
The runways also showcased collaborative sneakers including Wales Bonner’s Y-3 Field sneakers, Nahmias x Puma Suede sneakers, and Salehe Bembury’s Puma Velum.
Overall, retro revival remained strong with vintage runners from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s getting modern updates in sustainable materials. On the bag front, Pharrell Williams at Louis Vuitton championed whimsical accessories, featuring slouchy purses and animal-shaped handbags that became standout pieces of his Indian-inspired collection, continuing his love affair with quirky, conversation-starting bags that blur traditional gender boundaries.
Our Trend Analyst Mariacristina Rossi guides us through the discovery of the main trends seen on the catwalks:
Subscribe to see the full video
This video is a preview of the trend analysis made by Arsutoria experts.
I believe that what makes Co.Bo. unique is its singular corporate journey, straddling seemingly irreconcilable sectors such as the field of luxury and the technical world of sport.
Being involved in tackling the technical developments of complex projects alongside international brands and then producing items for needs that at first glance seem so different has probably allowed the company to consolidate technical skills that most players in the Made in Italy supply chain are unable to offer.
“We sell soles,” an American designer who has designed some of the world’s most iconic sports products confided to us years ago. For those of us at Arsutoria School who specialise in upper construction methods, this is a difficult statement to digest. But it is clear that being able to master the complex aesthetics of sneaker soles today, while at the same time being able to focus on different technical characteristics and performance parameters that often conflict with each other, requires in-depth knowledge of materials science and moulding technology.
One might wonder what someone who has to create glamourous sneakers for a fashion house’s upcoming Paris show is looking for when they choose to work with a company that has a history of working with major sports brands and handling technical polymers such as Pebax, Nylon and Polyamide. The answer is simple: the ability to manage complexity and master the industrial process of injection moulding, which sometimes resembles an art form.
It is therefore not surprising that Co.Bo., in 2025, in the midst of an absolute crisis in the fashion industry, decided to invest heavily in Italy in the creation of an innovative structure capable of pushing the limits of manufacturing one step further. And that it has created, with courage and foresight, one of the first Italian factories completely dedicated to Super Critical Foaming.
However, these technical skills would not mean much if the people involved were not respected in the industry for their competence, professionalism and honesty. These are values that have always distinguished Co.Bo., founded in 1984 by husband and wife Leonardo Procaccini and Rosanna Borroni.
“Leonardo wouldn’t let me get away with anything if he thought I was doing something wrong, but for him everything was black and white. He told you things as they were in an honest way and, if he made a mistake, he paid for it out of his own pocket,” a friend who has been working with this company for many years told me. “And I can only say good things about their sons: they have carried on the style of professionalism and competence that has always been the hallmark of Co.Bo.”.
So, best wishes to Co.Bo. for these 40 years of commitment and well-deserved success.
A few evenings ago, I was having dinner with some entrepreneurs who manufacture footwear in the Far East. The sourcing manager of a large Italian group that develops and markets safety footwear was also invited. A clear and decisive statement: “I have no intention of being a guinea pig: you have to prove to me that you have already produced safety footwear that complies with current regulations”. It is clear that safety is a world apart, one that cannot be improvised: materials and construction, and therefore technology, must comply with precise standards.
If a sole for sports footwear involves a complex system of performance values, a sole for safety footwear adds a list of requirements relating to use in challenging work environments: from a restaurant kitchen to a construction site, an oil rig or a room in the middle of a fire.
This is where a reasonable knowledge of materials and moulding technologies is not enough. You really need to be an expert because safety requirements are no laughing matter: shoes can only be placed on the market after being certified by a specificbody.
Co.Bo. now has several years of experience in the design and production of soles for safety footwear and has also supported companies in the sector with direct injection projects on uppers. Its in-depth knowledge of thermoplastic and thermosetting polymer chemistry, combined with experience gained in dealing with the science of more complex performance materials, has enabled Co.Bo. to always offer the most appropriate solutions for different contexts of use, such as composite safety toe caps.
This experience and a naturally innovation-oriented DNA have led to the proposal to bring Hypercell, a technical expanded polymer launched on the market in 2025, into the field of safety footwear. In a world currently dominated by PU, Co.Bo.’s proposal provides an alternative for creating lightweight and comfortable inserts and fillers, with superior shock absorption and reduced overall footwear weight, while maintaining the same level of resistance to oils and hydrocarbons required to comply with typical safety footwear requirements.
The brand’s authentic style evolves without losing its identity, giving life to footwear and accessories with a versatile, fresh and sophisticated design, conceived to accompany every moment of everyday life with style and comfort.
Among the novelties is the return of the espadrilles, a summer icon par excellence, reinterpreted with modern materials and up-to-date details: a perfect proposal for those seeking lightness and elegance in the warmer months. Among the models on offer is SAMOA, a versatile and comfortable shoe available in both slip-on and lace-up versions, ideal to accompany every moment of the day in style, from the city to the sea.
Big debut also for SWIFT, the new running model that interprets the sporty universe with character. Lightweight, colourful and rich in details – including mesh, prints and embossed work – SWIFT is designed for those who do not renounce style, even on the move.
The EY Luxury Client Index survey involved 1,600 luxury consumers across 10 markets globally, including Italy, providing an up-to-date overview of the sector and analyzing how customer preferences and behaviors change (Aspirational Luxury Client).
“According to our survey, 68% of Italian Aspirational Luxury Clients reward the quality of the product in their purchases which becomes the protagonist again, together with its history, authenticity and craftsmanship” – says Stefano Vittucci, Consumer Products & Retail Sector Leader of EY in Italy.
Anna Nasole, Partner EY Parthenon, Fashion, Luxury & Beauty in Italy, comments: “Luxury is experiencing a profound repositioning: consumers no longer reward only status but coherence ‘value for money’, therefore recognizable quality, authenticity, sustainability and experiences. For brands this means concentrating investments on three directions: product innovation and strengthening of the supply chain to preserve excellence and craftsmanship; digitalisation and omnichannel to guarantee a fluid and personalized customer journey; and concrete sustainability as a competitive and reputational lever. It is the ability to turn these priorities into structural levers that makes the difference today and makes companies attractive in the eyes of investors.”
Quality first: the intrinsic value of luxury
The large majority of Italian consumers choose luxury because they want to own higher quality products (68%), a figure that goes against the trend of the world champion who mainly seeks personal recognition (47%), 9% less than the average globally; among the reasons, it also follows the acquisition of a status symbol (28%).
The quality of materials and craftsmanship are therefore the main aspects that influence purchasing choices, overcoming customization and price. Despite the rise of so-called quiet luxury, the brand maintains a certain relevance: 22% of Italian consumers consider it among the most influential elements (26% internationally), while only 9% prefer products without visible brands (-3% compared to the world population). The generational factor also plays an important role: while Gen Z (born between 1997 and 2008) places greater value on brands involving celebrities and influencers (43% Italian champion compared to 28% worldwide), Baby Boomers (1946–1964) reward the historical identity of the brand (71% of respondents in the country, 56% worldwide).
Luxury and sustainability: an increasingly relevant theme in purchasing choices
Sustainability exceeds the price in the decisions of Italian consumers. In fact, a third of those interviewed consider it decisive in their purchases, with a gap of 7 percentage points from economic considerations (a share lower than the global average, which stands at 30%). This trend is driven above all by the new generations, with 26% of Gen Z and 36% of Millennials (1981-1996) including sustainability among the five fundamental criteria in purchasing choices, in line with the global average of 36% and 34% respectively.
Price and quality: an equation to be recalibrated Although the luxury sector has long benefited from substantial flexibility with respect to changing prices, the consumer perspective is changing. In the last 12 months, due to the price being too high, almost 1 in 3 consumers globally have given up on a planned purchase; in Italy the percentage drops to 23%, however reporting in the price a significant reason for abandoning a purchase. One of the possible responses to this dynamic could be the adoption of flexible payment plans (indicated by 22% of Italian consumers), to prevent consumers from turning towards counterfeit products, quality economic alternatives or giving up purchasing altogether. The role of omnichannel: how the customer experience evolves The store continues to be central to customers’ purchasing journey, chosen by 73% of Italians, in line with the global sample. The decision to go to a physical location is affected by the possibility of touching and trying the products before purchasing (for 31% of respondents), and the personalization of the service (16%). However, fashion houses cannot ignore the evolving digital expectations of luxury consumers who, especially in reference to digital natives, use the online channel (50%), mainly for convenience (25%) and for the convenience of prices and discounts (20 %). Growth opportunities: exclusive experiences and new business models
A significant proportion of Italian respondents (74%) stated that they would be more likely to conclude the purchase if unique and exclusive experiences were offered (83% worldwide). A clear signal that perceived value is not limited to the product, but is increasingly built through emotions, exclusivity and connection with the brand. Compared to new business models, over a third of Italian consumers say they have already purchased second-hand luxury items (38% worldwide), while 17% do so regularly.
Stefano Vittucci, Consumer Products & Retail Sector Leader EY in Italia
The September 2025 edition of MOMAD, Intergift, Madridjoya and Bisutex ended on a positive note in terms of professional participation and business generation. The quality of the offering in the accessories and fashion, decoration, interior design, gifts, fine jewellery/watches and costume jewellery sectors attracted national and international professional visitors, who found IFEMA MADRID to be an unmissable meeting place to learn about new trends and strengthen business relationships.
MOMAD, in particular, closed with excellent results, presenting the new SS26 proposals of over 300 brands, with a focus on sustainability and textile innovation. The show recorded an 11% increase in professional visitors compared to September 2024, coming from 70 countries. The event once again hosted the MOMAD Talents competition, which rewarded emerging young designers, with Victoria Af Burén and Sandra Vargas recognised as the first and second winners of this edition, respectively. The Pasarela MOMAD fashion shows attracted considerable interest, with participants including designers from Bogotá Fashion Week, as well as a full programme of conferences and meetings.
With an eye to the future, MOMAD will now meet with professionals from the accessories and fashion industries from 5 to 7 February at IFEMA MADRID, together with Intergift and Bisutex (4-7 February 2026). The coincidence of dates and locations will strengthen the synergies between the fairs, multiplying business opportunities.Madridjoya, on the other hand, will concentrate its efforts in a single annual edition in September, from the 24th to the 27th.
