Present in the Superstylist section at Pitti Uomo, the brand is characterised by its ultra-soft and lightweight bags, which are made with natural dyes and hand-woven. ‘Rosanna’, ‘Santa Croce’ and ‘Triple Jump’ are just some of the it bags signed Dragon Diffusion, whose unisex collections are now sold in the main Italian luxury outlets such as Luisa Viaroma, Di Vincenzo Boutique and international ones such as Bergdorf Goodman (USA), Le Bon Marche (France), La Samaritaine (France), Harrods (UK), Harvey Nichols (UK) and The End (UK).
BIRKENSTOCK presents Shinjuku
The Shinjuku model draws its inspiration from nature and technology and stems from the conviction that the foot is the perfect technology par excellence. The new model marks an evolution of BIRKENSTOCK’s functional sole and its authentic design philosophy. The Shinjuku’s distinctive, high-impact style combines the exceptional comfort and support of the original BIRKENSTOCK footbed with rugged, outdoor-inspired elements that invite you to go out and discover the world.
The Shinjuku offers a renewal of the classic footbed, featuring a combination of natural materials and an innovative sole. The anatomical cork and latex footbed is in fact covered in microfibre, and the optimised single-component sole is designed to allow easy water drainage and facilitate grip on concrete surfaces. Flexible grooves at the forefoot and heel strike allow for fluid foot movement.
The innovative outsole provides excellent abrasion resistance and durability, while the high-quality nubuck leather heel with foam padding adapts to the foot. The durable and water-repellent upper is made of the highest quality materials, which are designed to last. Other interesting features include a new, rustproof, quick-opening metal buckle and an exclusive strap sewn onto the shoe – sporting the BIRKENSTOCK logo in large letters – complete this outdoor-inspired model.
04651: the call of Madeira
04651 is the telephone prefix of the island of Sky: an ideal place where, with a bag and a few essentials, one can take refuge at the weekend to relax and devote oneself. This is the philosophy of the brand that proposes a global style, made up of a few essential and informal elements, suitable for a variety of occasions. The upcoming SS 2025 draws inspiration from the picturesque island of Madeira. The seasonal colours – red, mint and blue – are inspired by the traditional costumes of the island, while classic shades such as taupe, beige, white, navy and black are complemented by a forest-inspired green and a delicate sky blue. Madeira’s unique nature and architecture are reflected in the designs. Abstract palm leaf prints on the shirts evoke the island’s lush forests, while motifs on swimwear and shirts recall the handcrafted tile work. Wave motifs, inspired by traditional Madeiran markets, bring back the island’s lively atmosphere. As always, 04651/ emphasises comfort and quality, for a collection that is the perfect companion for every occasion.
Making of: Arsutoria School. Who invests in training?
In an article in La Conceria, the Director of Arsutoria, the workshop school, describes the transformations that have affected the market and that inevitably also reverberate on the training scene:
“We find ourselves at an unusual intersection between two situations that are in blatant contrast to each other. On the one hand the objective need for generational change. On the other a stagnation of the locomotive that has been driving the shoe and bag manufacturing industry, luxury, in recent years”.
If 2022/23 were great years for manufacturing, today the scenario has changed, and the attitude is very cautious. In the meantime, the manufacturing field has changed: groups working on the high-end continue to open and/or purchase factories.
In this scenario, what happens to training? In a nutshell: the big ones continue to invest, the medium-sized and small ones are paralysed.
“The big ones invest for several reasons: because training, innovation and sustainability are the pillars of a value proposition they all share. Because the increase in average age remains a reality. Because the current downturn in luxury cannot be structural and those with broad shoulders make their investment plans looking at the medium and long term. Finally, because in the years of euphoria, people with no, or limited, experience were often hired, and now they need to be brought up to speed
The problem instead concerns the ‘independent’ contractors. For them, it is risky to invest in people, the typical fixed cost of manufacturing companies. What will happen in the next 12 months?
Difficult to say – Pasca concludes -. The big teams continue to keep their engines warm and training remains a priority for now. The economic and financial difficulties of small and medium-sized independ- ent companies could, however, put immediately available skills on the labour mar- ket and cool the focus on investment in training a little. We will see
Trends Autumn/Winter 2025/26
An arc of solid, architectural light to symbolise the transition from previous seasons to those to come. Light is concrete and made tangible in its form.
The entrance to a reality of profound and extraordinary research into lines, volumes, structure and innovation. A reality that knows how to combine traditional tailoring with sophisticated research into workmanship, always maintaining charm and elegance, in keeping with the new aesthetic sensibility.
This is the subtext that accompanies and runs through the four trends proposed, a concept that keeps the artistic process of the next Collections in perfect balance.
Discover all the inspirational trends in the latest extract from Arsutoria 489
Campomaggi presents the new ‘Outdoor’ line
The Made in Italy handcrafted bag brand, created by Marco Campomaggi in 1983, presents as an absolute novelty in its new Spring Summer 2025 collection the ‘Outdoor’ line, consisting of a new series of backpacks, fanny packs and bags that combine the lightness of nylon and the beauty of vegetable-tanned leather, offering an ideal option for nature lovers and fans of well-made Made in Italy. The collection not only meets the practical needs of outdoor enthusiasts, but is also a tribute to respect and a deep connection with the green world. The combination of high quality materials and functional design makes these accessories ideal for those seeking a perfect balance between practicality and harmony with the environment, interpreting a trend that has clearly emerged in recent years, especially among young people.
Pantofola d’Oro brings its new lifestyle sport luxury to Pitti
With the new SS25 collection presented at Pitti, the Made in Italy luxury brand opens a new chapter in its history to reposition itself in the lifestyle segment. The new shoe embodies Pantofola d’Oro’s distinctive style, combining history, myth and design and going beyond the canonical trainer concept. Lightweight and comfortable, it features carefully crafted details: entirely handmade, the white rubber sole, traditional lacing and leather and suede details give the trainer a touch of elegance. The shoe is available in black and white, with bright details overlapping the upper.
BUFFALO: Retro gets bold
Born in 1979 from an idea of German Mick Conradi, who after a trip to Mexico decided to import into Germany the cowboy boots that had always fascinated him, Buffalo is today linked to the Deichmann Group, and makes use of ecological production systems and materials, with 95% of the footwear certified PETA ‘Vegan Approved’. For next summer, it presents a bold collection, characterised by daring 80s platform soles, mirrored finishes, rhinestone applications, New Goth aesthetics, chunky skater style and hints of the 2000s. Each piece is designed for those who want to make a style statement, embracing comfort without sacrificing design.
GSC GROUP to take part in Freiberg Leather Days
GSC Group announces its participation in the 12th Freiberg Leather Days to be held in Salzburg, Austria, from 12 to 13 June, at the initiative of the German leather chemicals association VGCT and the Freiberg Research Institute FILK.
“We will participate in this prestigious conference, which is highly significant for the European tanning and leather industry, by presenting an innovative study inspired by the result of the IULTCS 2022 and the consequential insights garnered from the ALCA 2024 conference” the leather chemicals company explain.
The title of the study is: “Utilisation of bio-based chemicals evaluation and LCA assessment for the future leather manufacture”. GSC Group specialist lectures will be presented by Riccardo Pasquale, PhD, at 09:15 a.m. on Thursday, June 13th.
Aware of the global need for more environmentally friendly materials, GSC Group has embraced the challenge by committing to reduce hazardous chemicals and develop leather processing products that significantly incorporate renewable sources. Bio-based compounds are gaining prominence in the market and establishing a significant role in the raw material supply chain.
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Soles and heels trends Spring/Summer 2025
Those who move and work in the fashion industry can never neglect the aspects of design, trends and new proposals for future seasons. And so it is, in fact, also for the forthcoming Spring/Summer 2025, in which many soles and structures and heels pursue the search for aesthetically innovative solutions still working on light volumes.
Many are focusing on various aspects of sustainability, starting with the identification of materials that are increasingly devoted to recycling (both as a starting point and as an end-of-life perspective). Many efforts are also being made to research bio-based materials. In addition to this work on materials, however, there are also those who develop production systems and processes that can make the design and construction of structures not only more efficient, but also more environmentally friendly.
Aesthetics and creativity yes, one cannot do without them, but efforts to imagine new perspectives in design and production is undoubtedly the next frontier to look out for.